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Reviews

Gargamel — Watch for the Umbles
(Transubstans Records TRANS020, 2006, CD)

by Roel Steverink, Published 2007-03-01

Watch for the Umbles Cover art

Gargamel is a sextet from Norway whose aim it is to revive complex prog rock from the past, but also to be different without modernizing the sound. Beside a core of guitar, bass, and drums, flute, saxophone, a wide arrary of keyboards, and cello are in the setup as well. This last instrument together with Mellotron-choir bestows the music a doomy presence à la Anekdoten. Gargamel takes the time to flesh out the notes, improvising on flute, organ, and electric piano, many minutes long, until just before the end when the main theme returns. “Below the Water” and also in “Into the Cold” have the vibes and typical irregular rhythm which Supersister is famous for. Mellotron, flute, and cello paint outstretched landscapes while electric piano, bass, and drums really curl. Ugelbakken’s voice is not the strongest in town, but his ocassional theatrical cries and shouts do suit the music well. Nothing new here, just solid ground.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 34, 2006 releases

Related artist(s): Gargamel

 

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