II

Despite my rating, if you're into Stoner Rock I would recommend this record. If you're not? Well, it all just seems so one dimensional and samey. WEEDPECKER are a four piece from Poland and this is album number two from 2015. Two guitarists, bass and drums is the setup here, with a new bass player on this sophomore album. A lot like the debut except that Haldor Grunberg added synths to this recording. Haldor is the man who engineered, mixed and mastered this album.

I feel like this is a band who has been finding their way as it were, when it comes to their sound. The addition of synths here helps, but on the next record both guitarists would be adding synths to great results. Then on the most recent record they employed a full time keyboardist, dropping one of the guitarists. They just keep getting better. And while I rolled my eyes the first time I heard their name, I have gotten used to it(I suppose). Also, if that band name inspired the cover art here, then I'm all in. I just think the cover art is the best thing about this recording. Like a Lord Of The Rings inspired picture isn't it? I wouldn't want to be drifting down that river and seeing these giant woodpeckers looming over me(lol).

Love the picture on the actual cd as well. Both guitarists add vocals here. And they sound either distant, or mixed low in the sound. It works, but I often am thinking "is that vocals?" When it gets heavy the guitarists turn on the distortion. I much prefer the clean guitar passages. The bass isn't that upfront or the drumming for that matter. Its all about the guitars. We get seven tracks worth about 47 minutes. On the closer we close to 3 minutes of silence when it ends, only to kick back in after 7 1/2 minutes. I'm not big on stuff like that, and only found this out by accident.

A good album, but it really feels like it's lacking when it comes to the Stoner Rock style. In other words, there's nothing new or outstanding here in my opinion.

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