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Reviews

2 by Bukowski — Drink from My Bastard Grail
(Poeta Negra PN22, 2003, CD)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2003-12-01

Drink from My Bastard Grail Cover art

After reviewing two of this Greek post-rock outfit’s previous releases in #27, the last thing I expected was a new release so soon, but in fact this one was the subject of numerous delays. That said, after hearing the results, any delays were certainly worth the wait. The 11-minute opener “Chopperfuck,” with its aggressive grinding guitars, bits of xylophone, sudden starts and stops, and exotic female voices, shows that these guys are really not afraid to try something new and different. Indeed, the whole disc is full of surprises, exploding out in every direction at once. Take another track, “Gate 3,” which opens with hand drums and percussion to support an ethereal high melody on synths, is underlined by a stark guitar and bass framework, then it coasts into a dreamy sea of synthwash with a lone edgy guitar punctuating the proceedings. One might say that the entire disc is like a sonic laboratory mixing unlikely parts in new and challenging ways, yet it all remains remarkably accessible, despite the fact that it’s mostly instrumental. At times they can be heavy, reminiscent of the snarly attack of Black Sabbath in their prime, and at other times pastoral and introspective, in a dreamy ethereal sort of way — and of course all points between — but it’s the sudden shifts in dynamics that have the greatest impact. Sometimes 2bB work an idea a bit too long, but overall it’s their textural approach that makes their music most compelling and cutting edge.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 28, 2003 releases

Related artist(s): 2 by Bukowski

More info
http://2byb.bandcamp.com/album/drink-from-my-bastard-grail

 

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