TICK TOCK

This 2009 release is well worth investing in. I bought the download a while ago but only in the last 4 months gave it the proper attention it deserved. Whilst agreeably sitting within Crossover on PA, there is no doubt this band have a post rock feel to them. The music has a steady drone to it which steadily increases in tempo and then predictably subsides. I really feel the band have all the right boxes ticked here, both musically and vocally. There is wealth of solid drumming by Robert Johansen, jagged jarring guitars and Ohmes beautiful vocals

The album is inspired by the book Wind, Sands & Stars by Antoine Di Saint Exupey. Flight traversing deserts end in crashing in the desert and the trek out of it on foot. The album starts with the uneven ' Desert Flight', " the Walk' and ' Tick Tock' made up of parts provide 35 minutes of atmospheric bliss, reaching crescendos, ebbing and flowing, constantly sucking the listener back into the sound. Very hypnotic music. I have probably played this album most this year and being such an excellent slow burner, I have progressively discovered more and more gems within the material. The final track ' Winter is Never' is arguably the most accessible and melancholic of the lot. Such an incredible album closer. If you like Gazpacho you will also enjoy another fellow Norwegian band, coincidentally called Soup. Some reviewers have compared Gazpacho to latter day Marillion, they definitely have a Radiohead influence especially due to Ohme's vocal style being similar to Yorke's but not as manic! And additionally a touch of Muse thrown in as well. Highly recommended piece of work, four and a half stars without doubt.