ANGEL IN THE DETAIL

Ahhhh . . . How do you solve a problem like The Legendary Pink Dots? It's the most famous band you have never heard of. Here are the facts about this strangely elusive band (elusive by no choice of theirs):

1. They were founded way back in 1980 in London. 2. They now have 37 full length studio albums. 3. They have really never gone on hiatus. 4. Their newest album 'Angel in the Detail' was released in August 2019. 5. The band has had a rotating line-up of members through the years, but their current, constant core members are Edward Ka-Spel (vocals, keyboards, songwriter), Phil Knight (keyboards), and Erik Drost (guitars). Joining this core line up for the 'Angel in the Detail' album is Joep Hendrikx on electronics and effects. 6. Ed Kaspell (or Ka-Spel) and Phil Knight are the two constant members since the beginning. 7. Their music has been labeled as psychedelic, avant rock, noise rock, post-punk and dream pop, all with classical influence and usually dark lyrics, and a sometimes heavy use of sampling.

So if this band has been so prolific, why haven't more people heard of them? Well, they have been a little left of center, and they also got their start in the 80's when, even though they have influenced a lot of the 80s sound, they were formed as progressive rock was taking a creative sabbatical, for the most part. The amazing things about this band, is the fact that they have stayed rather consistent.

Angel in the Detail has a total of 10 tracks which has a collective total run-time of over 71 minutes. Those that know their music pretty much know what to expect, spooky sounding, avant-garde, neo psychedelic space rock with dark and sinister undertones, a slight degree of minimalism, yet still kind of funky and upbeat at the same time. The music feels simple, yet it's complex, and that can be heard with the different layers of music that is built upon each track. They have an alternative style, but were around before alternative was a thing. The music is steeped in sarcasm and a bit of silliness, somewhat like The Residents, yet typically the music is more complex in instrumentation. For those that are familiar with current music, you may notice some similarities in LPD music and The Flaming Lips, who both are influenced by the music of Syd Barrett and early Pink Floyd or even David Bowie, and who both sound hugely experimental in the neo-styles of Radiohead.

The atmosphere of this album is spooky and mostly down beat, or even often without much percussion at all. There is a dark, ambient feeling behind a lot of the music here, especially in the 9+ minute suite 'Itchycoo Shark / Isle of Sighs'. Kaspell's vocals retain a whispery and evil sound to them through most of the songs. 'Neon Calculators' on the other hand, has a definite onminous beat through the track, but different textures see the track go from discernable vocals and ending up with quite a noise filled ending. A cinematic ambience fills the instrumental breaks on 'My Land / Parallels' and the organ at the end definitely reminds one of the psychedelic darkness of early Pink Floyd, but on a more minimal level. But don't despair, because it all isn't dark and foreboding as the upbeat first track 'Happy Birthday Mr. President' or the weirdly happy 'Maid to Measure'. Yet even then, the music has an overall minimal sense to it and the feeling that you are being sung to by some kind of deviant. The whole thing ends with the 11+ minute track 'Red Flag' which takes the listener through a kaleidoscope of styles and progressive shifts that proves the band is still quite creative and current, especially with their unique use of psychedelic stylings and textures.

The music is all quite interesting, yet overall is a bit dark and dangerous sounding. The band proves that it is still one of the best bands to use minimal and ambient textures, yet still have plenty going on in their music that make you want to listen. Don't expect long jam sessions though, as you might in regular psych/space music, but you can expect some wandering keyboards playing ominous sounding passages and atmospheric music. Even so, the music is surprisingly lyrically heavy. This album will definitely give the new listener insight into this band and what kind of weirdness you can expect. The level of avant- prog sound is also quite high in some spots, so expect some experimental oddities throughout the album. Remember, we're talking early (I did say early) Pink Floydian sounds. But, it's all done quite well.