ZODIAK

With increasing regularity - every year exactly - EARTHLING SOCIETY are appearing with a new album. The band is headed by guitar wizard Fred Laird who has a special affinity to krautrock stuff, which you certainly can't fail to hear when going through the discography. What strikes - and this is really not taken for granted regarding many other bands - every album sounds in a different way, and this without leaving the experimental psychedelic/space rock platform of course. Again Fred has modified the line-up a bit. Where drummer Jon Blacow is still on his side since the beginning in 2004 bassist Kim Allen is new to the crew. Occasionally (on three tracks) they are supported by Neil Whitehead (Vert:x) on synths as well as sax player Lew Dickinson.

Important to know, CD and LP version differ a lot. Maybe a matter of particular interest is that the vinyl came out firstly, released 2012 on the German Nasoni label which is specialized on psychedelic albums. This one comprises three songs where the monster title track (huch ... originally 29 minutes long) - due to length restrictions.- comes in a shortened outfit. And then June 2013 saw the release of the CD version on 4Zero Records, which is comprised of six songs, including the tilte track's full bouquet. And that's it what I'm writing about. The trip opens with a short synth and drum duet which probably is designed to mirror the inspiration when it comes to the collaboration between both the steady band members. What follows is some sort of underground music, tending more to stoner/garage dominated space rock, sometimes similar to Hawkwind.

The straightforward I Don't Know Myself surprises with a nice dub interlude, where the extended title track Zodiak evolves to Laird's showpiece, he varies a lot over the course, including fuzzy guitar moments, soaring spacey excursions, heavy Dave Brock riffs and a Greatful Dead westcoach touch.reflecting the US counterculture. The second epic contribution attracts my attention especially - Astral Traveller - no doubt where this leads to, eh? Made of two different parts it starts with a smooth meandering space jam featuring cheerful multilayered guitar input, pleading here and echoing there. Kim Allen shines with a funky bass. When passing over the point of no return then, the band turns into a rrrrrocking behaviour again.

Finally the mysterious dub laden The Elevator Does Not Stop At This Floor rounds the album up, when considering the collaboration of all involved musicians probably the most inspired track. Thematically pointing to astrology and occultism 'Zodiak' certainly stands for another interesting new band facet. I'm not sure if this album really marks the band's finest hour, however, heavy space rock fans should not miss this - 3.5 stars.