DEEP POLITICS

GRAILS remain true to their principles - they deliver something difficult to pigeonhole again. Usually I try to reference to some other bands in style or mood sooner or later - this is surely difficult to indicate this time. So you can say they are really acting in their own league. Contradictions rule the world ... and 'Deep Politics' too ... multi-faceted, besides their traditional psych, kraut and post rock basics many cinematic, eclectic and even some popular impressions play a role. Finally I know ... and this counts ... I'm listening to something rounded anyhow.

With Future Primitive the crew offers an extraordinary kick-off - this is of a trippy, spacey ambience with melancholic mellotron in the back. Well, dark mooded.a bit ... suddenly acoustic guitar and violin serve a folksy touch in between and then a stomping repetitive groove backs playful guitars over the course of the following minutes. An excellent composition and implementation this is - it grows the more I listen. The following All The Colors Of The Dark forwards the listener to the album's cinematic scope while being suitable for a western movie soundtrack ... the cool saloon piano transmutes me ultimately - just have to close my eyes and imagine the turning into a cowboy who is crossing the prairie on his bronco. Eh, as for me it works - each time I listen!

On Corridors of Power the lonely hunter has arrived at the Sioux camp while smoking a peace pipe at the wigwam - this is decorated with vintage ethno/world moments ... and a simple electronic beat in contrast. By all means a controversial song. Speaking of contradictions - the title track proves this too - piano and lush strings serve a sugar-sweet popular vibe - superficially though ... because they also integrate a challenging interlude with fuzzy guitar on the other hand - surprise, surprise! Now switch off your environment for a while and totally concentrate on the album's core, the last three tracks.

Almost Grew My Hair opens the door to the eclectic fields with sophistication and beauty - a piece of work impossible to describe. The main melody comes close to native American chanting somewhere in between. The song lives from the interaction of acoustic and plaintive electric guitars eminently. The tension-filled I Led Three Lives folllows these paths while turning back to a more cosmic, partially hallucinatory atmosphere. Deep Snow finally lulls with several melodic portions ... nearly ... but decorated with some contrast coming from an eruptive interlude this is anything but simplistic.

Overall they implement a relaxed downtempo mood on 'Deep Politics' - although outfitted with an awesome range of impressions. Which means this does not bore in any way. The guitars deal with the complete emotional bandwith from depressive to enthusiastic. Thus here we have something entertaining really - their most innovative stuff I came across so far. Compositional skills meet somnambulistic interaction when it comes to the instruments. Hard to imagine how they will transfer this potential to the stage. Come what may ... I recommend to assimilate the band's approach, it's worth it.