Hanggai – Baifang (Harlem
Recordings)
CD/DL
Out Now
Mongolian rockers Hanggai
release their new album.
There’s something very
special about his album. Buy it and
see. See how heavy it feels. Maybe it’s the mammoth thirty-two page lyrics
book that comes with it? Maybe it’s just
because it’s jam packed with eighteen magical tracks?
Originally from Beijing,
Hanggai have their roots in traditional Mongolian folk music, but have along
the way blended that with a more modern rock sound and pop influences. The resulting album, Baifang is an exciting
breath of fresh air. There's a real
aggressive enthusiasm to the majority of the tracks, enormous power in both
instruments and voices, and a unique 'throat singing' style which raises its
head several times.
Traditional instruments such
as tobshuur (two-stringed lute) and morin khuur (horse hair fiddle) combine
with 'conventional' electric guitars and drums to create a hugely powerful
sound of rock and pop.
Vocalist Ilchi and Yilalata
have deep brawling tones which complement the band superbly, none more so on
Hong Galou which has as catchy a melody as anything that you hear on the airwaves
as guitars sweep and swirl around a gargantuan riff, and vocals roar and ascend
into the cloudy Mongolian skies.
Title track, Baifang (Back To You) is anthemic and
regimental with incredible vocals - that span the whole eighteen tracks which
include three mantras placed at the beginning, end and midway through. The mix of instruments is fascinating and
creates a sound that Hanggai can confidently call their own as a gushing
harp-like instrument closes the track.
It’s not all loud rock either as Miss Daughter and
Qinhal Lullaby display, in fact Gold Buttons
ventures into Country and Bluegrass territory. Hanggai are superb musicians. Reggae and a little dub even features on My
Mother.
When
you think nothing new can come along, gorgeous female vocals guest on Miss
Daughter and High Trees. Baifang has a
bit of everytHing on a
quite brilliant album of diversity and richness. Hanggai, your new favourite Mongolian
folk-rock band.
9/10
Links
Published on Louder Than War 12/06/14 - here
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