HEADSHEAR

This is an album made for a selected crowd it seems. The name of the game here is instrumental rock, placed somewhere in the grey area in between progressive rock, experimental rock and fusion.

The main inspiration here seems to be King Crimson from the early 80's, and to be exact Robert Fripp's guitar playing and experimentation made during those years. This release will be like manna from heaven for most people into that particular sound. Technically challenging, at times highly complex; filled to the brim with dissonances and disharmonies and other effects that should please listeners into adventurous progressive music.

Recommended tracks: The Walking Tapestry, Chunky Navy Part I, Phivunk

I'm aware of HEADSHEAR for a longer time - liked their style since I came across the song 'Urban Conversation' when listening to an internet radio. Now they are added here and I took the chance to get closer to the entire album. This US band delivers quite sophisticated multiple guitar loaded rock music coupled with distinctive King Crimson reminiscences. Not less than four guitarists are credited for this eponymous album which is consisting of nine instrumental songs. Don't get discouraged by this very special cover art which is ugly as well as fascinating - it depends on your mood.

Deeply entering the eclectic realm I think their sound is more grooving in comparison to KC. But exceptions prove the rule - the longest track Viscous for example is provided with an extensively psychedelic/ambient tinged intro until the bass drum comes in. The song gathers speed later leaving the spacey mood by and by gliding into a heavy rocking finale. This immediately remembers me at Sean Malone's GORDIAN KNOT project.

Melodic melancholic moments are offered on Complex Nothing and The Bitter Cold appeals to me especially with the semi-acoustic preparation where the guitars sometimes are even evolving a slight hawaiian touch. Urban Conversation is my highlight appearing as a masterpiece of progressive rock - a grooving jam including art rock, fusion and psych elements. Suspense-packed - four guitars are swirling around at once interacting perfectly. And this is all backed by Van Spragins' fantastic heavy fretless bass performance.

I've learned that HEADSHEAR is not only reduced to 'Urban Conversation'. The whole album got my full attention in the meanwhile and after some time unfolded its real beauty. Great effort with a quite complex song structure. This is an interesting find for KC (and related bands) fans. You shouldn't miss that - wonderful, compelling guitar work in the whole (including the bass of course).

This USA four piece formation hailed from San Fransisco, once the cradle of legendary rock music, from Santana and Jefferson Airplane to Grateful Dead and The Doors. Headshear started to perform in 2001 but it took five years before the band released its eponymous debut album, an instrumental one. Listening to their music I notice strong elements of King Crimson, but not the seventies prog, no Mellotrons or saxophones, this sounds like King Crimson since The Eighties. The focus is on the guitar featuring two original members and two guest musicians on guitar, and Headshear succeeds to keep my attention, with captivating guitar work and interesting compositions.

A Fripperian 'gentle chainsaw guitar sound' in the ominous and compelling Chunky Navy Part.

Swinging with a powerful bas and a hypnotizing blend of guitar runs in Phivunk.

Dreamy in Complex Nothing.

Atmospheric in the long Viscous.

And fiery and raw guitar runs and a propulsive, tight rhythm in Chunky Navy Part II.

To me this one-shot-band sounds as interesting to discover for the post-Seventies King Crimson fans and the aficionados of Robert Fripp his distinctive guitar work.

My rating: 3,5 star.