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Overall favourite Sabbath album: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Sabbath completely over-the-top great but album not-quite-making it to the absolute top: Sabotage
Album with the absolute best track: Volume 4 (Wheels of Confusion).
Sabotage has the band probably at their peak – the riffs are simpler than ever yet heavier than ever. Their collective power was so staggering by then that it's almost like they can't control it….the music controls *them*. It's strange – it's probably the album I like the best for those reasons, but as an *album*, of songs, arrangements and Production, I think SBS edges it out.
Sabotage is the bomb.
I just gave Psychotzar another listen on a proper system. I like it much more now. Definitely something interesting going on even in this very Sabbathy mode. It is very much like a continuation of Bartok and Cuckoo. Sounds promising if the album total offers more variety too.
Just gave it a very brief listen via crappy computer speaker, so not much to judge by, but…
I like it just fine, but as others have mentioned, this Sabbathy thing is something they have done a *lot* starting with Heavy Metal Fruit. A certain way the song melody weaves around the riffing which is starting to sound a little formulaic. That said, I think Anders is onto something – even if this is derivative, they still do it better than anyone else. And as the song goes on, there's enough interesting stuff going on to make it worthwhile, even if the song/melody itself isn't particularly impressive or innovative. Gotta love the gong though.
I'm anxious to hear the rest of the album, but judging by this track alone I don't think it'll match The Tower. That was a marvellous album because they let loose and just did it all…this track sounds more self-consciously "proggy" and Motorpsychy. They are at their best when they are not aiming to do one particular thing.
Hearing that they are already writing new stuff is very exciting though.
Yes, yes, yes! I have been begging for a return of the Radiator Freak for 20 years. I got to hear it in 1998 and it was great, even if it was difficult to reproduce live. Lots of audience noise during the quiet bits. But a quartet version would be cool.
Anyone know what the venue in Genova is like? Would that be a good destination for a single gig (don't think we can squeeze in more than one).
Interesting to see a lot of people agree with me that Manmower is better without the jamming. I think they have done some beautiful live versions, particularly the very low key '98 ones. But I am not a fan of the drawn-out noodley ones they have done lately.
Bartok has also been singled out. It is so immensely powerful in its studio Version, so even if I the one they did in Drammen recently was very good, they don't seem to nail that Sabbath-y heavy swing live.
Plan #1 has always been killer live, even if it usually stays very true to the formula. I think the power of that one is increased live.
Interestingly, while STG is one of their best live songs overall (the über-skronky '98 versions are off the chart great!), the impact of the main riff when it appears after the intro is never as great as on record. Probably to do with dynamics and how the PA and amps just can't deliver the punch in the same way in a live setting.
The same problem is apparent with The Golden Core. It can be a transporting experience live, but usually there is annyoing audience interference, and a lack of additional oomph and punch for the final cathartic crescendo.
Trying to convince some friends that we make our annual city trip to somewhere coinciding with Motorpsycho's tour program this year. It's about time I saw a gig or two on the continent! Italy would be my preferred destination, but it depends on some logistical factors.
On another note; is there any info yet on what the "Motorpsycho & Friends" show at Øya is about. Could it be….Trust Us album gig?
But I do agree about your assessment of the Drammen gig. I didn't get it into the mood, but mostly out of the circumstances (up on the gallery, no alcohol, and the most annoying drunkard 5 feet away talking loudly during most of the show). Musically it was fine, and Cuckoo was indeed great.
I am the lowly, filthy individual who doesn't enjoy a jammed-out Manmower. I just think some of these jams they get into these days are extremely predictable and un-Motorpsycho-like. No motor, no psycho, just a lot of jazzy noodle. And this comes from a jazz lover.
But it also depends on the mood and the moment, so I fully accept that they jam it out in search of something. Sometimes they hit, sometimes they miss. In the case of Manmower, however, I think the original song is so beautifully crafted, the pacing is just right and it slays me emotionally every single time, even 20+ years later. Any jamming on this one just dilutes the impact, at least to my ears.
Had some good times seeing AMT in the very early 2000s. The Motorpsycho Connection is there…sort of… AMT is much looser and don't seem to do much in the songwriting Department. That has always been Motorpsycho forte over any other similar bands – the ability to structure the material a bit more and write really, really good songs.
AMT always struck me as being closer in spirit to early 70s kraut and space bands. Their name reveals one very obvious connection/inspiration.
I'll agree Lacuna was pretty good in Drammen – at least there was *something* happening during the middle section. I love the theme/song, but the mid section frequently drags on with not much happening. Taifun was beautiful but does not, IMHO need the extra part tacked on at the end. Bartok was strong with some wild soloing from Snah, Cuckoo similarly strong. Dream Home was also a very good version with nice parts from Lars H. The highlight was easily The Wheel which was great and very, very heavy. Manmower is another one of those stunning songs which do not benefit from the extended jamming. At least it was relatively brief in Drammen.
I was up in the gallery on the left hand, and the sound was actually very good there. Not too loud either, I always use earplugs at Motorpsycho gigs but actually didn't use them this time. It didn't seem that loud up there.
When I say the gig was average that means it was still very good. Just didn't transcend to the next level. But the Tower songs were played very, very well. STG with Snah on the 12-string was interesting. Played faster than before, but the 12-string emphasized the folky(!) element of the song. Can't remember the last time I heard The Wheel live (Øya 2006?) so that was easily the highlight for me.
Lastly, one of my pet peeves; please, please don't make every song a jam song. It is not needed.
Ship
Taifun
Bartok
Cuckoo
STG
Lacuna
Dream Home
Up Down
Wheel
Plan #1
Manmower
Tower
2hrs 25
Did I miss any songs? The Wheel massive, all songs very well done, but overall average.
It's a little strange that the few Norwegian gigs next week aren't listed at the official site. I hope they will debut some new material!
I think many are in agreement with you, Hans. I too sometimes miss that 80s/90s indie or metal influence in their songwriting. Last heard around BH/BC I think. And I would tend to agree that the progress from album to album isn't really that noticeable anymore, but again, that's something that will eventually happen to anyone. I wouldn't agree that their whole range isn't on display anymore though, it's just not so obviously eclectic all the time. More like their influences have congealed into its own sound.
That said, since 2008/9 it *has* been heavy on stoner-ish psych-prog excursions, and their weaker (IMO) albums are the ones where that style is most prominently on display. Typically those are also the albums with the weakest songs (again IMO). Which was why I was so happy with The Tower; great songs, and virtually all of their sonic universe utilized to full extent. Coupled with that sense of urgency and "need" to write (as you convey very well with your references to "pained" Bent in This Is Motorpsycho) it became IMO by far the best Motorpsycho album in almost 20 years.
