OOIOO -
Gamel (Thrill Jockey)
LP/CD/DL
Out Now
Javanese
experimentalists, OOIOO release their new album.
You might
(indirectly) know the leader of OOIOO, Yoshimio - she was the inspiration
behind the Flaming Lips album Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots. She's added an 'o' to her name since then.
It is
believed that the word 'gamel' is a type of mallet which instruments are hit
with leading to the word 'gamelan' which represents a traditional music from
Java and Bali. Fitting, as the new album
from OOIOO contains large amounts of thumping and pounding. Possibly the Indonesian equivalent of
European industrial pop? Whatever the
case, Gamel is inspiring.
Undoubtedly
impulsive on occasion, the album exudes power and originality in equal measure. From the opening of Don Ah with its rising
scales it’s clear that this is not an album to underestimate. An album four years in the making and it’s
easy to see why. Tracks may often be
improvised, but the idea behind the tracks which incorporate a traditional
genre with their own distorted agenda is fascinating to say the least.
Yoshimio,
formerly of UFO Or Die and Bored where she played drums also adds keyboards and
trumpet to her repertoire. Ensuring that
the reminder of OOIOO move completely under her lesson Gamel moves in tone and balance
as quickly as it does in volume and intensity.
Percussion, musical box soundalikes, chanting and general madcap antics
form unique tracks of the highest order.
Gamel Ninna
Yama includes prog-rock guitar, brass instruments and synth effects all with
the underpinning of tribal sounding beats.
Chimes appear in Gamel Kamasu accompanied by trumpet and familial
shouting. Even hints of western funk are
present on Atatawa.
If
mind-bending music is what you crave, then Gamel is the album for you. Originality and traditional sharing the same
groove, keeping alive music of historic relevance yet creating something
completely new. OOIOO are adventurous
yet respective to their heritage in this captivating and absorbing collection.
9/10
Links
Published on Louder Than War 6/07/14 - here
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