Arabs in Aspic – Madness and Magic
On June 12, 2020, Arabs in Aspic will release their latest album Madness and Magic, on Karisma Records. This band was another wonderful find for 2020. Imagine Greg Lake-era King Crimson, mixed well with Gabriel-era Genesis. Then add the keyboards and guitar work of Pink Floyd, and mix it all with the darkness and power chords of Black Sabbath . I am always grateful, when I am able to find younger bands still making this type of music. And making it up to the standards of the original seminal bands.
Arabs in Aspic takes their music making creativity, seriously; and they should earn your respect immediately, for that care. The band hails from Trondheim, Norway. The band is made up of: Jostein Smeby, on guitars and vocals; Stig Jørgensen, on organs and vocals; Erik Paulsen, on bass and vocals; Eskil Nyhus, on drums and cymbals; and Alessandro G. Elide, on percussion and gongs.
Arabs in Aspic discography includes: Moerket (July 2010), and You are Blind, (May 2013).
On to the review:
“Wow to Thee, My Screen”, opens with percussion ambiance, and that eerie, “squeaky door opening, guitar sound”, reminiscent of the album version of “I Know What I Like”, off Selling England by the Pound. From there Richard White-like keyboards take over, along with guitar; building a soundscape reminiscent of The Court of the Crimson King. Jostein Smeby’s vocals arrive, “A love that knows no questions. A love that stands the test. You lay upon the alter. You’re the dearest and the best”; all to cool acoustic and electric guitar, soft bass and constantly rhythmic drums. Then, more synthesizers and deep organs. The sound magnifies and builds dramatically, with deep dives that constantly take me back to early Genesis. The images through the instrumental music, described, sounds like you are in the court of the crimson king. All that is missing is the grinding wheel, but the guitars swiftly help augment that image.
Chimes open “Lullaby for Modern Kids, Part 1”. Cool, soft guitars and that backmasking sound, fills the air, before acoustic guitar joins in. Then lyrics, more familiar to Genesis’ “Going out to Get You”, only this time it’s, Smeby singing, “Hide from the screen. It’s coming to get to you. Haunting your dreams. You are possessed. Never the less. It’s coming to get you”. Imagine being afraid of your phone or social media device screen, absorbing all of your time and life. Yes, sometimes it can be like that daily. Then, the band lets loose, and all manner of guitar, bass, drums and a plethora of organs and keyboards overwhelm the soundscape. It is one of the best moments of the album. The band has been heavily influenced by Black Sabbath, and more of that influence can be experienced in the lyrics here.
“Lullaby for Modern Kids, Part 2”, opens with beautiful acoustic guitar and keys. Dreamy flute like keys and Smeby singing, “Finally we meet again. Me and my love, once we are gathered”. Beautiful soft guitar and what sounds like congas. Keyboards that start a run, with acoustic guitar and then organs join in.
“High – Tech Parent”, opens with a faster beat and soft organ, bass, drums and guitar. Smeby sings, “High tech parent, low tech mind. What you gonna do about it? I don’t know.” Let’s play some music. And so, they do. Some of the best instrumental work on the album, with backing vocals accompanying.
“Madness and Magic”, is one of the best songs on the album. Opening slow and spacey, with cool synths, bass and soft guitar. Flute like keys and wonderful atmospherics, like early Genesis, fill the soundscape. Smeby sings, “Madness and magic. Controlling your brain. Feeding on extinction”. Powerful bass plays with lead electric guitars, keys and with drum support. Smeby sings, “What is your mission?”
“Heaven in Your Eye”, is the closing, best and longest track on the album. It opens with those wonderful keys I remember from early Genesis. Along with soft guitar like Steve Hackett played. This track opens a little like, a cross between Traffic’s “Heaven is in Your Mind”, and Pink Floyd’s “Fearless”. A cool, soft beat, relaxation soundtrack. Smeby sings, “Please don’t cry, if you see Heaven in my eye”. Then, the whole band joins in on supporting vocals, and powerful instruments. The cool spacey keys paint a mosaic that is thrilling to hear. An instrumental run that could have gone on forever, as far as I was concerned.
The Arabian music picks up after the half way point of the song. This middle eastern rhythm is accented with Sabbath like darkness from the bass, guitars and drums. Not a fan of Sabbath, but it works here well. More of that Traffic horn-like influence chimes in around, 9:41, and it is welcomed. Later, a return to early Genesis keys, acoustic guitar and flute. Then, the deep dive into the sand. One of the best parts on any album this year. The drums, flute-like keys and synthesizers take you for a ride in the desert. You will not want the caravan to end. But end it will, with a flurry of keyboards and synths even Keith Emerson could respect. Add Stig Jørgensen to my list of favorite keyboardists of 2020. It really has been a great year of discovery for that instrument. And incredible and complete work.
This is another one of the best albums of the year. Arabs in Aspic has captured a great throwback sound, with unique and interesting lyrics. The music definitely rises to the level of the music of ‘70s prog, they are inspired to emulate. Well crafted art that has caught me as a fan. Please get this album and play it with headphones to appreciate every note.
Track List
- Wow to Thee, My Screen – 8:22
- Lullaby for Modern Kids, Part 1 – 8:19
- Lullaby for Modern Kids, Part 2 – 2:06
- High – Tech Parent – 4:35
- Madness and Magic – 6:48
- Heaven in Your Eye –16:46
https://arabs.bandcamp.com/album/madness-and-magic
https://www.youtube.com/user/dragedraug