First Listen: The Black Angels

The Black Angels

When I first stumbled across The Black Angels I was in a Neil Young mood. I was up late at night, thoroughly avoiding schoolwork by visiting various websites while tinkering with iTunes. I find that when I listen to music after one in the morning, I tend to really like whatever I hear. It is something about my very near sleep set consciousness is very susceptible to clever melodies of pop, rock and rap that otherwise I wouldn’t try to pay attention to. I am also very most relaxed. Either way, I find myself sinking into the music and the lyrics and end up usually liking what I hear. As it went this one late evening, I was browsing through some podcasts from KEXP.org. KEXP is a local college-style station in Seattle that is listener supported. They are quite fringe and offer a lot of cool alternative moody music, so I usually like what they have to offer. I had downloaded some live sessions of theirs and I decided to start in on them on one of the bands they had called “the Black Angels.” I always find I am intrigued by certain poetic names, so I had a listen. I remember thinking as soon as I heard this guys voice that he had a certain Neil Young-like quality to his voice: a little high and straining, that particular nasal whine. I remember thinking, “hey, I wouldn’t mind some music that is very similar to Neil Young as well.” Turns out they are not much like him, but they have something in common. They are similar in that they are both a little bit rock and roll and their sound originates more in the 1960s and 1970s than anywhere else. The Black Angels are an awesome rock band out of Austin, Texas. They are a bit dark and have brooding bass lines over psychedelic guitars sounding like 1960 Deep Purple or something. I bought their self-titled EP on the iTunes Music Store, because I feel like supporting artists. While looking for some more information on them one day, I ended up Googling them. What I found was odd but most certainly related. Their name was originally used as the first orchestra founded out of opposition to the Vietnam war, in 1970, George Crumb founded an orchestra called the Black Angels. I found this interesting as one of their songs is called Vietnam. My favorite song is their first off the EP, and also first from the live session I listened to, called “Black Grease“. It’s just a great song. Like I said, the bass line is heavy and draws you in. The singer only gets more agitated and aggressive into the song, to the point where he is screaming and his voice starts to waver. He has great control over his voice though and uses it to good effect.

Right now, the Black Angels are a small phenomenon. They are not very mainstream, I think, and I don’t think they are too likely to catch on with the younger crowd. I think they appeal to an audience that enjoys deep brooding bass lines like 1960s classic rock. I do not really think they will cross over into mainstream culture, their music is too dark. It doesn’t really lend itself to a video on MTV. However, based on the popularity of their EP they have released a full album titled “Passover.” I will check it out and see how I enjoy the album. Then, I will impart my review of it on you, dear reader.

3 Stars


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