DELAYED BACK

Well this was an exciting diversion from my typical Italian prog festivities. Here we have a German band likely more comfortable at a rave than a prog rock event. Noetics are from Hannover Germany and have been together since 1997 with three studio albums to their name. With backgrounds in metal and spacey stuff like Ozric Tentacles, the band eventually became heavily involved in electronic music and other assorted genres, blending influences to find their own way. Experienced and agile live musicians, they have played with bands like Tangerine Dream, Nektar, Ten Years After, Kraan and Wishbone Ash. Their first two albums were the result of winning contests which allowed them studio time, but I've a gut feeling they see "Delayed Back" as their most accomplished work to date.

They told ProgArchives that they "see Delayed Back as a chill-out album." Their bio describes their sound as "the energy of electronic beats and the deepness of synthetic sounds with the intensity and spontaneity of a live concert. Influences of rock, dub, electro and downbeats merge with jazz, drum & bass, and psychedelic trance for a unique soundscape." They choose to go without a singer or leader in hopes of having people truly concentrate on a musical experience rather than words or stage persona. Their fan base ranges from "dancing hippies, stoner rockers, to fans preferring electronic beats."

I don't have much experience with this kind of music so pointing to references will not be much help. The best I can muster is a cross between Portishead, Luscious Jackson, and Ozrics---except all without vocals. Maybe a bit of Lorenzo Monni or D.F.A. in certain quarters. Far from a typical psych/space entry at ProgArchives, Noetics are more like a cosmic jam-band and there is a ton of fun to be had. The tracks are anchored by an amazingly fluid and melodic bass line that I could listen to all day long, along with downright funky rhythms. At times it's almost like Talking Heads coming back to life without David Byrne. Your head will bob to this positive energy infused with inventive guitar effects and plenty of interesting keyboard textures. Flute and hand percussion is also employed in certain places for yet another exotic edge. "Schinkenwurst-dub" even introduces a reggae element. I personally think the album would have benefited some from having the occasional vocal, perhaps wordless vocals, just for another texture. The musicians are fantastic but there is room for more here. That said, I'm still on board.

Noetics is yet another interesting find that I heartily recommend to prog fans looking for something new and outside the routine.