The Black Angels presented a foreboding mix of dark psychedelic rock and tribal fuzz on 2006’s Passover (Light in the Attic). With Directions to See a Ghost, they continue mining that vein with greater results. The first two songs on the album, “You on the Run” and “Doves,” could have been right off Passover with their familiar drum patterns and echo-laden guitar. This may be because the band wrote most of these songs shortly after Passover was recorded. Money and life got in the way, however, and the band spent over a year and a half recording Directions between tours at Cacophony Studio on the banks of the Colorado River outside of Austin, TX.
With the use of a simple maraca and a leading bass line, the band distances themselves from their debut on “Science Killer,” the third track. With buoyant yet guttural guitar hovering in the distance, the band coalesces around the repetitive bass line while Alex Maas uses reverse echo on his vocals for a disorienting feel. Maas still sounds like he is singing out of one side of his mouth, but the sound complements the music and he has become more confi dent in his delivery.
“Never/Ever” opens with delayed guitar leading into chaotic noise before a galloping tom beat takes over and drives the song through several waves of tempo changes. Towards the end of the song, a distorted organ takes over, sounding very much like The Doors’ Ray Manzarek. “Vikings” is a slow, sparse, Velvet Underground-inspired track, and “Deer-Ree-Shee” is thick with oozing sitar.
Passover was mostly written by Maas and guitarist Christian Bland before they assembled a band to record and play shows. The concept was there, but it had not fully come together. After two years of heavy touring, the assembled unit plays like a seasoned band. They rely on the relatively simple formula introduced on their debut, but they have improved the arrangements, the sound is more cohesive, and Maas’ lyrics have matured massively. Directions to See a Ghost is an excellent sophomore album.
– Nate Daly
The Black Angels: www.myspace.com/theblackangels
Light in the Attic: www.lightintheattic.net