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Void Novadriver |
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Futuristic in every sense imaginable, from the intergalactic opening instrumental "Satellite Night," right down the plastic it rode in on, Novadriver is a Space Rock voyage beyond the stars… a momentary step away from reality-that might well be the 1970's for all intents and purposes but we'll stick with the skyrocket theme at this point. As is usually the case, such was the time when such flighty Rock and Roll was at its peak and the sun always shined, and the moon always glowed-the Nixon era Hawkwind types… For all the Sabbath reigned influence, considering even how Sabbath still existed though would no longer thrive as they once had seeing the decade full throttle itself into boundaries as yet unseen… Moving past my momentary lapse, "Void" embodies the essence of the once lost sound, the slow grinding monotones, the cymbal crashing climax, the cerebral vortex, the overloaded circuitry bore from the excessiveness of a step pedal and distorted discourse… "Rocket Superstar" is full bore blown up '70s style free flying thrill ride, "Spinning into the Future," and headed straight toward the "End of the Universe," which spares no reverberation expense, and quite casually catches ya napping momentarily, before that buzzing undercurrent of guitar loosens your groove and gets ya back up on that sonic wave you were riding two songs ago. I'm trying so hard to avoid the whole "Stoner" Rock cliché that's been driven into the ground and has simply become a rash of overuse but I'll tell ya if this don't put you in a psychedelic haze, not much else will. They don't sound like Kyuss though so at least I'm safe there. The idea then is to distinguish them from the those other heady rockers returned to the high times of yesteryear to find solace in these trying times… well, it can't happen here. But what can be said of these guys is that they're from Detroit so yeah, there's even the slightest nod toward the glory days of Stooge-era noise, though we've got a way thicker vibe going here. The title track's easily the best of the bunch and places ya right there in the middle of the stack-bruising you into senselessness, you can feel your hearing loss happening as every second ticks by but too late sucker, you can't help but be drawn into the mesmerizing effects of… "The Void." The record leaves off with a shimmering cover of Aerosmith's "Seasons of Wither," having first appeared on the recent "Right in the Nuts" tribute, which I think in name alone is still brilliant. Here they dress it up with a little Ziggy Stardust, a few ounces of choral earnest, and plenty of good ol' rocket fuel to give it the final send off… Released by Small Stone Records Review by Vinnie Apicella
[va85@columbia.edu] |