Glistening, spine-tingling psyche trio THE SOMATICS have hit a new peak of creative energy with this three track single. Their "Can't Believe It’s Not True" was the triumphant highlight of the Engine Room's inaugural compilation album late in 2005. This song is an even headier rush of serotonin splattered drama. Where their last offering "Did You Ever Love Me?" seemed to W&H to be in too many minds about where to head, "Elemental", "Cool Wet Grass" and "You Promised Me" (the single's three tracks) are decisively consistent, well-aimed shafts of sheer pleasure.
There won’t be a lot of UK reviewers doing the rounds these days who actually saw JEFFERSON AIRPLANE in their SURREALISTIC PILLOW heyday, but old greybeard here is one. THE SOMATICS, I can solemnly report, have the standard held firm and true with "Elemental". Essentially a guitar band, with fine voices and atmospheric keyboards, their stuff has a production perfectionism with huge loud sections and intricate storms of tumbling guitar and harmony lines. The emotional impact is very strong – the music is psychedelic in the basic sense of that word – mind shifting and unsettling. The standard cliché identifiers are banished – this is the real thing. It takes the broad musical approach and moves it on with no recourse to obscurity or mantric mumbling.
|
THE SOMATICS have hesitated for the last couple of years, on the brink of something that a much bigger audience could get excited about. Rather than something you might feel you ought to like and recommend to others – this is one to seek out and buy - for the unashamed psychic luxury of having your body chemistry interfered with by experts.
www.the-somatics.htm
|
