Release
date: July 06th 2018. Label: Self
Released.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Hymns
–
Tracklisting
1.Los
Plagas 04:12
2.Witchcraft
06:22
3.Ed
Parsons 05:23
4.Byroad
03:23
5.Hyperplasia
05:07
6.John
Becomes The Universe 06:41
7.Ghoul
04:17
8.No
More Bastard Children 07:21
Members
Jack
Harlon 3,
Lightning
Bolts Richardson
The
Ghost Of Ed Parsons
One
Giant Pig
Review
I
don't know why I thought originally Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows
was a name for An Americana or Country & Western band. Then I
listened to their new album - Hymns. And boy wasn't I impressed. As
these guys are more closely associated with All Them Witches, GEEZER
and Black Sabbath. As the music is a mix of Psych, Blues, Stoner
Rock, Doom and heavy spaced out sounds. Put this altogether and you
have one exciting blend of highly atmospheric rock and roll.
Opening
track - Los Plagas - does have a slight Americana feel but that soon
gives way to a heavy psychedelic blues rock sound with an intriguing
"Sci-fi" premise. The lyrics are way out there at times but
it's the music that holds your attention with the band playing a
slow-paced sound. Then the whole mood of the album changes for the
better with the dramatic "doomed" out sounds of second
track - Witchcraft.
This
song definitely owes a huge debt of gratitude to Black Sabbath but
Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows soon settles down creating their own
sound. The swirling psychedelic sounds even have the early swagger of
All Them Witches but with a more robust and angrier attitude. The
music does veer off into many different directions and maybe to
jarring for some but there is a lot of fun to be had with this track.
The
lyrics give Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows a decidedly creepy edge
and the lyrics are probably one of the albums main strengths. As the
band write some great lyrics that cut right to the bone. The music is
the main highlight though with Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows never
settling on a standard sound. Most of the songs on Hymns sound very
different to each other and that's a very hard thing to pull off.
The
heavy psychedelic doom atmosphere of the third track Ed Parsons is
one of my favourite songs on the album. As the hazy and psychedelic
riffs leave you wanting more. The song is very progressive and shows
you how Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows is creating a different
sound of their own. The production is handled superbly well. With the
album flowing naturally and never losing focus.
The
second half of the album sees Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows
continue with their style of Psychedelic Doom and Spaced Out Stoner
Rock on great songs such as: Hyperplasia, John Becomes The Universe
and the excellent final song – No
More Bastard Children.
Overall,
Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows have created an exciting record that
actually takes genuine creative risks and it becomes an even more
rewarding listening experience as a result. If you're in the mood for
a psychedelic and spaced out journey packed full of inventive ideas
and heavy riffs then look no further as Jack Harlon & The Dead
Crows are the real deal. Hymns is a must have album.
Words
by Steve Howe
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