Electric Tapestry - EP Review: The Origins EP
Any group who say
they are inspired by bands as diverse as The Beach Boys, Ladysmith Black
Mambazo, King Crimson, Genesis, Van Halen, Radiohead, Crowded House, The Chills and Straitjacket Fits are going to be interesting to say the least, and with
three guitarists in the line-up, they are going to have a distinctive sound. With this release, Electric Tapestry say they aim to mix the atmospherics of post rock with the immediacy and
sensibilities of pop, and while I am not 100% sure if they have achieved this,
they are certainly doing something different. For a while I did wonder if they
were an instrumental outfit, as vocals do not appear at all in the first
number, and only for a short period of time in the second, yet they are not missed
as there is no doubt that these guys could operate in that manner if they
wished. One of the bands I found they reminded me of was The Fierce and the
Dead, who are also best known as an instrumental band who create sonic soundscapes
and while TFATD operate more in a space rock area there are times when the
fuzzed distorted guitar is heading in that direction.
Although the guys do have a recognisable overall sound, they definitely pursue different directions within these songs, as the rhythm section can be driving in one, or much quieter and reserved in another, and while Octavious sounds as if it could have come out of the Dunedin sound, Hole in the Head has way more in common with Syd Barrett and the early days of Pink Floyd as it is drenched in psychedelia. The guitars can be fairly straightforward and not too complex, or they can be interweaving different threads, and at all times there is plenty of space within the arrangements (quite difficult when there are six players) and a real sense of naivety. It feels really loose, but not in a bad way, just that they are all relaxed and bringing it all together without any stress or fuss. While coming out of left field, there are still some wonderfully melodic moments which are interesting (love the jangly piano) although I do get the impression, they are much louder when playing as there is a powerful rock element which in the recording is kept somewhat in check. Distorted guitar can be set up against an acoustic and somehow it all works. Interesting.
About Electric Tapestry
Three very different guitar players founded the band out of frustration with their previous musical groups, and decided to fully utilise their numerous effects pedals to create rhythmic noises, echoing harmonies and sonic washes to fill their soundscape. Riding atop this wave of sound can be heard familiar melodies from music originating from disparate styles across the decades of rock.
The shimmering Dunedin jangle sound is often utilised, in combination with occasional funk rhythms. Meanwhile, vocal lines that are reminiscent of South African pop can be heard from either of the two vocalists, only to be interrupted by layers of warm fuzz, crystalline blues lines à la David Gilmour, or a heavy metal lead guitar lead. The band is inspired by groups as diverse as The Beach Boys, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, King Crimson, Genesis, Van Halen, Radiohead; not to mention New Zealand bands such as Crowded House, The Chills and Straitjacket Fits.
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