- Release Info -------------------------------------------------------------- -
Artist: The Young Gods
Album: Knock On Wood - The Acoustic Sessions
Label: Muve
Genre: Acoustic
Rip date: 2008-04-24
Street date: 2008-04-18
Size: 82.9 MB
Quality: VBR kbps / 4410kHz / Joint Stereo
- Release Notes ------------------------------------------------------------- -
ôKnock on Wood ö brings back delicious memories. Back in the æ60s, Eddie
Floyd reached the top of the charts with the same title, with his raw and
charming brand of soul and R&B. Four decades later, The Young GodsÆs new
album has nothing to do with southern soul music, yet their ôKnock on Woodö
has soul, and stands apart in the groupÆs exciting discography.
At first glance, it seems odd to find these digital pioneers involved in an
acoustic project. A year ago, they had just released their previous album,
the electric and entrancing ôSuper Ready /FragmentΘ ö, when an arty
magazine based in Zurich asked them to keep a soundtrack journal of their
travels (Truce Diaries). Franz Treichler, Al Comet and Bernard Trontin used
the opportunity to offer their fans several low-key concerts during which
they revisited old songs (ôOur Houseö, ôGasoline Manö, ôCharlotteö),
reframed new ones (ôIÆm the Drugö, ôEverythereö), and covered a few
classics (Richie HavenÆs ôFreedomö, Jimi HendrixÆs ôIf Six was Nineö,
SuicideÆs ôGhost Riderö, RadioheadÆs ôEverything in its Right Placeö). The
approach was psychedelic blues folk combined with electronic minimalism.
Surprised and delighted to see the kings of sampling ôplaying real
instrumentsö and warming the wood of their guitars, the audiences asked
for more. Several shows later, the Gods started thinking about a live
acoustic recording, but felt the whole concept could be up-graded. They
asked Vincent HΣnni, the guitar prodigy who accompanied them during the
live gigs, to join them in a recording studio, and they got down to work
the old-fashioned way, playing and recording acoustic instruments. The end
result, published under the title ôKnock on Wood ö, is an exciting and
accessible work that demonstrates the wide range of sonic investigation
undertaken by this extra-ordinary and atypical rock group. A DVD of the
group playing live accompanies the CD.
The albumÆs 11 tracks are arranged with vintage know-how, and played with
raw energy and humility. In an atmosphere of psychedelic celebration,
Franz TreichlerÆs voice sounds warm, precise and strong, and his
accomplices underscore the healing power of his chants. The exquisite
quality of the sound recording reveals details that would otherwise be
lost in a live performance. ôGhost Riderö sounds like a bona fide shamanic
incantation. From ôOur Houseö to ôSkinflowersö, the music reveals the full
extent of The Young GodsÆ creativity and complicity. The harmonies have
intoxicating power. On percussion, Bernard Trontin consistently delivers
madness and novelty. With his enchanted sitar, Al Comet serves up pure
hypnosis. And instrumentalist Vincent HΣnni finds multiple ways of raising
the stakes and transcending his colleaguesÆ exchanges. Like old vinyls
that got played over and over again, ôKnock on Woodö has the faculty of
transporting listeners to another world. DonÆt miss the opportunity.
www.younggods.com
- Track List ---------------------------------------------------------------- -
01. Our House
02. I'm the Drug
03. Everythere
04. Gasoline Man
05. Speak Low
06. Charlotte
07. Ghost Rider
08. Longue Route
09. She Rains
10. Freedom
11. Skinflowers
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