DEEP POLITICS

Grails

Psychedelic/Space Rock

3.83 | 153 ratings

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Negoba
Prog Reviewer

Extremely Satisfying Head Music

DEEP POLITICS is the first album from Grails I have purchased, and it has turned out to be one of my most-spun records of the year. Unlike many albums that require a very specific mood to work, DEEP POLITICS combines enough hypnotic atmosphere to function as background music but also has enough activity and detail to be listened to with close attention. The overall sound is instrumental, dark, psychedelic, and employs occasional ethnic influences. There are ebbs and flows of emotion and intensity, but never jarringly so. The mood remains in a contemplative arena, despite the music actually moving from glimpses of Camel guitar slow jam to Native American styled flute work to gentle piano interludes.

In a genre where obvious rips from Pink Floyd or Gong intrude all too frequently, Grails manages to dig a little deeper and carve their own niche. The overall sound reminds me more of a modern Krautrock than Eloy or Nektar. None of the individual sounds will surprise you, but the collection both within and across songs makes for a very effective listening experience. Much of the record is quite mellow, though I never find my attention wandering. Most of the instrumental (piano and guitar usually taking the lead role) work is quite understated. Everything serves the overall mood, and that mood is a rich indigo evening with a slight drizzle. (The album cover is a little too bleak for the music, IMO).

Most of the psych-rock I've tried seems shallow or derivative. Grails avoids this and has made a great piece of mood music that continues to push my speakers while other favorites move into the background. Firmly recommend.

Negoba | 4/5 | 2011-7-6

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