IDIOLECTS

FOTOSPUTNIK are a trio out of Chicago who offer up some excellent Psychedelic/Space Rock but I did think of KRAFTWERK and NEU! at times bringing that side of Krautrock to mind. This is their second full length album where we get some hypnotic and driving tunes but also plenty of spacey and atmospheric sections. Nothing new here or earth shattering that's for sure but this was a really enjoyable trip every time I spun it.

"Noctambulants" is the short 1 1/2 minute intro track which features outbursts of powerful distortion throughout. "Palos Lions Are Feeding" has this distorted pulsating sound with spacey atmosphere. Picked guitar after a minute comes in over top. It kicks in hard just before 3 minutes with drums and more before turning spacey. Contrasts continue. I love how spacey this becomes after 4 1/2 minutes with a slow beat pretty much the rest of the way.

"Only Answer Is Arson" is a top four track for me. Powerful distortion to start before a slow electronic-like beat with drums and more takes over a minute in. Guitar over top 2 minutes in. Great sound! It ends with a hilarious sample from a disco station out of San Antonio. "Spanish Inquisition Garage Sale" has beats, atmosphere and picked guitars over top. Sounds really good.

"Turnpike(Death Valley Driver)" is a KRAFTWERK/ NEU! type of driving tune that is meant to have a desert vibe to it. Check out the guitar after 1 1/2 minutes! "Pax Americana" is a top four along with the last two tracks that follow this one. Sounds like straight up guitar, bass and drums creating a catchy groove here. Keys after a minute along with some spacey atmosphere. It calms right down before 3 minutes then builds again. So good! It ends in an experimental manner.

"Mars Is Peopled And They Want Soap" opens with a bass line as we get some atmosphere then guitar as it builds. Distant sounding thunder can be heard at times. Well it is Mars. Love how trippy this is. It starts becoming more spacey then a calm with thunder, guitar and percussion takes over after 4 minutes. It kicks into a groove before 4 1/2 minutes. Nice. The groove stops as it turns powerful and atmospheric.

"Lunar Module" ends it with some beautiful guitar melodies as relaxed drums join in along with spacey sounds. So uplifting! It's bass only 2 minutes in to the end.

I tend to listen to a lot of music while driving so this was an enjoyable recording to have as my soundtrack this past week, especially cranked up high. Check them out on their Bandcamp page.