THE HEAVY SOUL SESSIONS

It was Assaf's insightful review that moved me to purchase this cd. I am a big fan of this band but when I heard they were covering their own songs with this one I was going to pass.That would have been a big mistake on my part. I would dare say that every song is an improvement over the original.They also cover a Richard Pinhas track. In the liner notes they say "All music played by hand, and recorded live-in-studio without any overdubs or computer manipulation. In order to re-create a more lively and dynamic sound, no compression or limiting was used during the making of this cd". This cd sounds amazing ! These guys are such pros, and hey they use mellotron on this album too so what's not to like.

"Hungry Ghost" has a good heavy intro as the guitar and organ bring it.The bass is prominant throughout. It does settle 4 minutes in but there's even heavier outbursts.The guitar rips it up before 5 minutes as it still stays heavy duty. I don't think i've ever heard this band so heavy before. "The Red Threaded Sexy Beast" is again heavy to start including organ as the guitar comes and goes over top. Synths replace the guitar 3 minutes in but the guitar is back a minute later with organ. It then settles with atmosphere. A beat before 6 1/2 minutes rises out of the mist as sounds start to come and go. Cool section.The tempo picks up before 9 minutes as the guitar lights it up. "Consider Figure Three" is a nice contrast to the first two tracks as we get this spacey atmosphere then these faint female vocals can be heard 1 1/2 minutes in. Sampled male spoken words before 3 1/2 minutes.This is great ! It really reminds me of early PORCUPINE TREE. Very spacey and psychedelic.

"The Packing House" is mellow with gentle guitar and keys then the guitar starts to soar over top in a laid back manner. Drums join in as it builds. A silent calm 3 1/2 minutes in then it kicks in with a much fuller sound.The tempo and mood continue to change and we get some great sounding mellotron as well. "Dedicted To K.C." is the Richard Pinhas cover. Sounds build with the drums and guitar standing out.The organ floats along as well. It picks up then the guitar lights it up before 3 1/2 minutes as the organ pulsates. It settles a minute later with chunky bass and mellotron.More tempo shifts follow. "The Gypsy And The Hangman" kicks in with organ around a minute then the guitar soars. Flute-like sounds come in as it turns dreamy. It changes after 4 minutes. It turns heavy as the guitar comes to the fore before 8 minutes. I like the way themes are repeated on this one.

Without a doubt one of my favourite releases from the band and a top 10 for me in 2010.