Om is good...and a little odd
Austin Tacious | Little Buggerington | 10/02/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I am revising my review, based on further considerable attention. See original review below. I would like to add three points:
> The weaker bass on Thebes compared to previous albums has become a sore point. Very disappointing. The bass generally sounds precise, juicy, clear and crisp throughout the album. But when Thebes gets going, it lacks the in-your-gut-and-face quality that can be found Bhima's Theme from Pilrimage, for example.
> The album feels incomplete. This is not related to the album being short per se but to me, after many listens, it feels like it should somewhere else after or before Cremation Ghat so the listener feels like he/she has been on a journey like in previous albums. As it is, the end comes to an unsatisfactorily premature ending.
Because of these two criticisms, I have reduced it to 3 stars.
> I have found this to be an excellent album with which to try out stereos! Notwithstanding my reservations, it is a beautiful sounding album. Yum yum.
[October 1st 2009 - four stars]
There's four key differences between this an the three previous Om albums:
(1) It's less heavy and even more meditative - but I think they've been heading this way, so not unpredictable. Only first track has the monolithic distorted bass, and even then it is somewhat subdued and lower in mix than you might expect. It's a great track, in same general vein as of "At Giza" and "Bhima's Theme". The bass on the other three tracks is pretty clean, with some superb playing.
(2) There's a different drummer (if you had missed it mentioned elsewhere). Emil from Grails. Not better or worse than previous (Chris), just different style. Difficult to explain how different. Less 'Bill Ward' and more errr prog, I suppose. Makes me think 'precision', bigger drum kit and jazzier (but not jazz). Surprising high in mix compared to bass, in particular, and everything else. Beautiful interplay between bass and drums, bass and vocals and, to lesser extent, drums and vocals; in principle, same as always though executed differently (as you'd expect for different drummer).
(3) Other instruments, including tambura, piano (I think), flute, bowed string instrument (I think). Important point: this isn't Al + Grails. The use of additional instruments (and vocals) is sparse, selective and precise. I think it fits beautifully with the music without loosing Om's distinctive feel. That said, we are in a similar arena as Grails, but more sparsity and groove.
(4) I think there's an important musical development here. The structures of the tracks have developed (see Thebes, for instance) as does the groove (nearly bouncy on Cremation Ghat I). Congrats to them this. More complex (not sure complex is the right word, actually) but without harming the blissed-out vibe. I like.
The mumbogumbo with lyrics is the same as usual (hence '...and a little odd'). I find the title a bit odder than usual, but heyho it's only words. It is ironic that at least one reviewer online elsewhere says that only a heavy band could get away with the album title and Om are as heavy as it gets, whereas in fact this is a manifestly unheavy album. I'm interested to find out whether the live performance follows suit. The Albini effect works out for them again, I think, although I do question the merit of dropping the bass in the overall mix (although it is a juicy bass sound).
If I could rename their album title, it would be "Indo-Stoner Fusion". Looking forward to the next installment.
So, what do I think overall? Early days and, while I am a bit disappointed that they seem to be moving away from the heavy bass, it is an impressive achievement and a very enjoyable (albeit not exactly challenging) listen."
New path
father o | armpitsville, ny | 10/17/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Om is beginning to walk a new trail. this cd sounds different from their others upon first listen, but after multiple listens it seems like an even bigger departure.
it is still full of spiritual, meditative beauty, but also adds eastern influences. i cannot describe this music, i can only listen to it and feel it, and recommend it highly."
