Sophmore Year: The Black Angels
Posted by dancehallhips on April 9, 2008
I just got done listening to the Black Angels sophmore release, Directions to See a Ghost, and to put it mildy, I’m in the process of cleaning my pants out. Their debut album, Passover, has been one of my favorite releases of the 2000s, period. An album with such power and innovation at such an early point in the career could have meant unreachable expectations for future releases, but unlike most bands these days, the Black Angels did not hit their sophmore slump with this one.
Having seen the band twice live, I’ve seen their capabilities on-stage, and know how much intensity they can create out of thin air. This album completely captured that intensity, while moving in more mature territories. Yes, Passover was charting territories 99% of modern bands don’t bother to seek out, but this album does it all over again taking even more risks, being not only earsplittingly loud, but also painstakingly passionate and innovative.
Directions is the Brian Jonestown Massacre with balls, to put it bluntly. It’s the electricity and magnitude of Velvet Underground live shows, Andy Warhol visual effects and all. This album is the brains of anything the Warlocks have put out, but with the rawness, ingenuity, and aggressiveness original psychadelia and acid rock were all about. This is Amon Düül with the volume levels maxed.
May 5, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I’ve had a similar experience listening to this for the first time a few weeks ago. Effing great, I can’t wait to see them here in July. I’m actually doing a giveaway for this right now… the album and an exclusive bonus EP. Details here.