... ALL THIS AND HIERONYMUS BOSCH

THE VOCOKESH exists for nearly twenty years now initiated by guitarist Richard Franecki who left the band F/i to constitute his own one. John Helwig joined later and they are building up the band's core until today also making out the main trademark - the masterful psychedelic/spacey guitar work offered with a well used feedback, echo and delay technique. They are just playing what they want to play - not really peering hard at a commercial success. Every album differs but the main approach is to appear with an avantgarde point of view I assume. Three song titles are referring to someone who is named 'Eddie' by the way. But only the band knows the background (if existing anyway ...)

They don't abandon their tradition to act instrumental - and experimental, sometimes even sounding slightly dissonant to my ears. The noticable difference to the former albums is the fact that '... All This And Hieronymus Bosch' lacks of longer jams which are crossing the ten minute mark. And electronics are taking a back seat. The songs are rather compact this time and some are provided with an acid/garage rock attitude a little bit. For example Once More Near The Beginning shows a straight rocking behaviour - but this is additionally decorated with an excellent spacey echoing guitar - great song and my highlight! The Truth Regarding Sunspots is so weird on the other hand. The instruments are played like they are acting on their own only, collateral but not in chime - this keeps at least for the first impressions - crazy! Even the bass is soloing a lot here and this is backed by some synthy patterns.

You will also detect some Asian-tinged moments provided when Franecki is taking over the sitar - like on Gazing At The Dust which is mystically meandering accompanied by a special feedback guitar style. Blue Light Dharma Shuffle is contrasting a spacey trippy flow with a bluesy edge caused by the rhythm and the use of the harmonica. Eddie's Freakout will stir every space rock fan's blood I'm quite sure - once again in a trippy mood with sitar contributions. Standing In The Ruins is a typical jam then with fantastic freaky dual guitar work - wow!

Only the the title song is knocking at the 10 minute mark. A special groove takes you on a ride with harmonica, some electronics and quirky guitars swirling all around - a strange experimental tune which is hard to digest. '... All This And Hieronymus Bosch' is expressing an excellent musicianship. THE VOCOKESH have worked out a convincing diversified album which was released by the 'Strange Attractors' label. Recommended - a delicacy for open-minded psych/space fans.