Reviews roundup – Black 4 vs. Dylan Kay vs. Monolith vs. Douga
BLACK 4
The Tales Of Cuatro Negro
independent
Well, based on the number of records I’m getting sent, it seems that stoner is making a bit of a comeback, after a few years in the desert. And the latest are Black 4, a quartet from Chicago who formed in 2011 after serving time in an assortment of local bands, leading to “The Tales of Cuatro Negro”, their début full length album.
And it’s a good one. They namecheck all the proper influences such as Kyuss, Clutch and Black Sabbath, and they’ve certainly got the bass sound down as you can tell from the glorious opener, ‘Double Mono’. Whereas that is the most Sabbafy tune on offer, the rest of the CD heads down Clutch road, with some cracking riffs on the likes of ‘Love Machine’ and ‘Fluffy Waffle Blowgun’.
They’re not reinventing the wheel, but they make a mighty fine racket, which is well worth a listen.
DYLAN KAY
Intentions Of A Man
independent
An album about losing childish thoughts and confronting what it means to be a man. Oh, dear. Mr Kay claims to have a “modern twist on classic rock and the 90’s era”. Which seems to mean post-grunge. But he is very good at what he does, especially as this is a proper solo album, with Mr Kelehan playing all the instruments, singing and writing the tunes.
Of course, he has to be a good musician, what with all the other bands he plays in, including a Pink Floyd covers band, something that would not brook poor playing. Here though, he is channelling Alice In Chains, Papa Roach and Mad Season. With a bit of Sabbath thrown in, especially on the album highlight ‘I’ll Take My Stand’.
It’s a fully indie release, which makes the production all the more remarkable, as the guitars come leaping out of the speakers on killer songs like ‘Stitches’. One of those people you can’t quite believe have never made, this may be the surprise package of the year so far.
https://dylankay.bandcamp.com/
MONOLITH
Dystopia
Final Gate
What was it I said a wee while back about stoner coming back? Well, we can add doom to that equation if this release is anything to go by.
And Monolith really do bring the sound of Sabbath back. From the Ozzy style vocals to the jazz tinged drums, right through the riffs. To be fair, they sometimes head off into the world of Sleep, but if you like your Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, then this may well be your favourite new (old) album.
The opening ‘Won’t Come Down’ is all it takes to convince you as Ralf Brummerloh’s Ozzy style howl takes you back to 1974 in a shot. Luckily, the songs are actually very good, with my out and out favourite being ‘Hole’, which is very Atomic Rooster lyrically (check out “In Hearing Of”). They also go back to the roots of Sabbath with the primitive blues riffing of ‘Cosmic Fairy’.
Wherever you drop the needle, there is something worth listening to. And who cares how derivative it is, when it sounds this good.
DOUGA
The Silent Well
Do Make Merge
Finally, for today, we’re off to Manchester for some indie psych. Now I normally refuse to listen to anything that has been recommended by BBC Radio 6, but I’ve always had a soft spot for the likes of The Coral, so was willing to give it a bash. And it’s pretty good.
As well as the obligatory jangly guitars and fey vocals, they dip into some krautrock styled guitars, some fuzz and a few good tunes. Which is nice. They also sometime wander into a world of alt-folk, which will keep the 21s century indie kids happy. I say “they”, and they are former Plank! drummer Johnny Winbolt-Lewis along with musical compatriot John Waddington, who take care of nearly everything between them.
For sure, some of the tunes just drift by, but when the arrangements get interesting, as they do on the likes of ‘Albatross’ and ‘Chains’, then it’s well worth a listen. People who remember bands like House Of Love and The Verve (when they still had a ‘The’) will find a lot to recognise and enjoy.
The Rocker - The Artist Formerly Known As Zeitgeist. TAFKAZ 
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