-=- SHGZ -=-
* Shoegaze * Indie * Post-Rock * Grunge * Dream Pop * Psych-Rock * Ethereal *
Artist..: Luder
Album...: Adelphophagia
GENRE...: Psychedelic Rock
STYLE...: Psychedelic Rock, Shoegaze, Hard Rock, Stoner Rock
YEAR....: 2013
ENCODER..: FLAC 1.2.1 -8 -V LABEL...: Small Stone
BITRATE..: 886 kbps avg SOURCE..: CD
SIZE.....: 396.48 MB TRACKS..: 9
- TRACKLIST
1 Never Liked You 4:28
2 Astrolabe 5:33
3 One Eye 7:33
4 Heartfelt 8:57
5 Ask The Sky 6:02
6 You Try It 5:47
7 Dirge 9:48
8 I'm Afraid Of Americans 5:22
9 Remember What I Said 9:19
Total Playtime: 62:49
The title of Luder's 2009 debut, Sonoluminescence, referred to sound waves
reacting on passing through a substance to create light -- sort of a long way
around to expressing the illumination the four players felt came through
their collaborating, but fitting.
Progressive, psychedelic, stylistically intricate, the album was recorded and
mixed by Eric Hoegemeyer at Rustbelt Studios and mastered by Chris Gooseman.
Comprising 10 songs that effectively blended Luder's diverse influences,
tracks flowed seamlessly from driving dark prog to languid shoegazing,
bassist Sue Lott's vocals tying pieces together with the apparent
effortlessness of a virtuoso.
So it is four years later, on Luder's follow-up, Adelphophagia. Another
research-worthy title û this one relating to the phenomenon of one embryo
consuming another in utero û and another deeply varied collection of
textural, smooth, frequently heavy rock and roll that has as much in common
with Portishead as it does with Black Sabbath.
Sue, Phil, Scott and Eric once again recorded with Hoegemeyer (who also
contributes piano, backing vocals, percussion, etc.), and as well as boldly
taking on David Bowie's 1997 single, "I'm Afraid of Americans," the album
pushes Luder's creative breadth further; new, dominant ideas and methods
consuming others over a years-long writing period to become the expansive
scope of "Dirge" or the grunge-y attitude-drenched kissoff "Never Liked You."
Luder find room to balance their love of classic prog in "KrautJam" with an
organic songwriting sensibility û the sweet melodies of its chorus are as
memorable as they are exploding with color.
Shows are sporadic, but Luder has shared the stage with Kyuss Lives!, Fu
Manchu, Lo-Pan, Freedom Hawk, Lord Fowl, Suplecs, Dixie Witch, House of
Broken Promises, Gozu and many others. As Luder come into their own on
Adelphophagia, look to catch them on stage periodically and expect to be
consumed by their warm and eerily welcome wash.
Press Says:
"Luder are such a potent chemical made up of many elements most of which can
be found in the half-light of pop, alternative, trip-hop and of course - the
reason why we're all gathered here today - metal." - Uber Rock
"Most people will not be expecting an album that, not only sounds like
nothing else on the Small Stone roster but is literally incredible from the
first note to the last... As sonically diverse and experimental as this album
can be at times at its core lies a strong collection of very catchy,
memorable and frankly awesome tunes." - The Sleeping Shaman
"The members of Luder unfurl just enough unorthodox elements from their
separate prior musical paths to give those templates some distinction,
including classic, psychedelic, and stoner rock elements, metallic riff
worship, and even a discreet power pop undercurrent that alleviates the
exquisite torment of it all..." - All Music Guide
*
Alright, on the block today we have Detroit, Michigan's Luder; who has the
hardest record names to pronounce ever. Adelphophagia. What a tongue
twister. Alright, enough comedy, let's get to the brass tacks and brutal
honesty.
The honesty is on me this time. I kind of ignored Luder. Why? Well, I'm an
opinionated asshole. I'm working on it. Give me a break. So what that just
said is that I missed out on some great music. In my defense, they didn't
quite fit in with my riff-centric, distortion-addled, psychedelic mind warp
that I was going through when I was introduced to the band. That is not to
say that they don't have great riffs, aren't psychedelic, or don't use
distortion. That would be totally incorrect. In fact, they have ample
amounts of each. Luder's strongest point is that they utilize these musical
devices and put their own spin on it.
Ok, so, imagine Portishead (II was happy to see this reference in the press
kit, it is really fitting) getting down on some Big Muffs. Yeah, it's kind
of like that. Take the best of the 90's alternative scene, add some more
muscle when needed and you a general idea of what the sound they have made on
(here it comes again...) Adelphophagia.
I don't know if it is worth noting this or not, but I'm going to; guitarist
Scott Hamilton is also the man behind Small Stone Records. This is one
reason I wrote them off, so to speak. I have noticed that other people do
as well for the same reason. That's dumb, let me tell you. So, for the
haters, if you start and develop a record company into a success, it's
because you might know something about music...which by pop radio standards
isn't necessary to make it, but this isn't pop music is it?
From the start, Adelphophagia (I've had to cut and paste it to make it
through this article) creates a mood similar to being suspended in a warm
pool of water, staring off into a panoramic vista of the cosmos. Luder fills
the cracks left by modern bands that are overly spacey and/or overly
distorted (not that it's bad to do so, just....played out for a bit).
Adelphophagia can boast of well crafted tunes supported by carefully dialed
in tones, especially in Hamilton's guitar. On top of being stacked from
start to finish with incredibly listenable hard rock originals, there is a
cover of David Bowie's "I'm Afraid of Americans" that absolutely slays. It
had to be mentioned, but don't get caught up on it. The whole record is
really fantastic. Adelphophagia should creep on some of this years æbest of'
lists. If not, it's because they didn't listen to it.
Don't make that mistake.
-=- SHGZ -=-
P.S.
** Thanks ***
*** BCC FNT IPC SSR ***
*** For Knowing Where The Music Is At ***
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* NuHS we miss you! *
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