DODOVOODOO

Completely blown away, or maybe trampled underfoot is the better way to describe what ELEPHANT9's debut has done to me. This band is from Norway and boasts an all-star cast. I was only familiar with the keyboard player who's played with Terje Rypdal (enough said) and the drummer who's from the SHINING, again enough said. Interestingly enough but not too surprising I suppose is that the keyboards and drums dominate the sound here. This was recorded live in studio to anologue tape. The band that came to mind for me the most was ONE SHOT. It's that incredible and unpredictible drum work along with the Fender Rhodes that brings that amazing band to mind quite often. The difference here is that we don't get the same upfront bass and guitar, rather we get lots of spacey synths ala WEATHER REPORT and Hammond Organ. Speaking of WEATHER REPORT the last two tracks on this album are WEATHER REPORT covers, both from the "I Sing The Body Electric" album.

"Dodovoodoo" opens with odd-metered drumming with some nasty organ runs. This is great ! He's beating the hell out of his drum kit here. Some nice deep bass lines too. "I Cover The Mountain Top" opens with atmosphere as sparse sounds come and go. We get a beat around 1 1/2 minutes and it picks up a minute later with some filthy organ. The drumming is so good,very intricate here. ONE SHOT comes to mind after 5 minutes with the Fender Rhodes. I'm so moved 7 minutes in by what i'm hearing. Crushing organ 8 1/2 minutes in. "Skink" opens with random drum patterns with the organ floating along side. It kicks in at 1 1/2 minutes. Killer stuff.

"Hymne" opens with atmosphere as synths roll in. The guitar is making some noise. Organ follows as they both come and go. This is an intense but slow moving soundscape. "Misdirection" is led by keys and drums. Spacey synths a minute in. Nasty organ follows. "Doctor Honoris Causa" is spacey to open as a beat joins in. Keyboards follow as the synths stop. It's starting to build. Intense 6 1/2 minutes in. Back to the atmosphere late. A very cool cover song. "Directions" has no real melody as loud and abrasive sounds come and go. Drums and keyboards start to lead 2 1/2 minutes in. Amazing ! A Zeuhl-like rhythm follows with synths and keys. Please stop this is too good to be true. It picks up late.

What can I say, it's darn near perfect for my tastes. If there was less Hammond and more Fender Rhodes I wouldn't be getting back up from that stampede.