Sunday 19 April 2009

Review - Wildbirds & Peacedrums - The Snake

Wildbirds & Peacedrums - The Snake

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3 out of 10

If your favourite bit of the Oliver Stone film The Doors is where Val Kilmer sways around in the desert with a wrinkly native American fellow, then you'll already know of beaded Swedes Wildbirds & Peacedrums. Their first album, Heartcore, has had critics queueing up to rub themselves against its 'pagan blues' and 'ecstatic soul music'. I'm not sure whether follow-up The Snake will have the same reception, even amongst the black polo-neck community. They may throw some crazy parties, though and this album would be the perfect soundtrack - sounding as it does like Kate Bush on peyote or Bat For Lashes on crack.

There's more 'ethnic' drumming than is really healthy, plus some stream-of-consciousness vocalising which could make Patti Smith shake her head. If you're already in the cult, then get your fellow chanters round, sit in a circle and light up a Fair Trade joss-stick or ten. Everyone else will have to skip to the final track, which is the only 'song' on the album - a hemped-out equivalent of Blur's Tender. Cosmic.

Listen: www.myspace.com/wildbirdsandpeacedrums

Tracklist:
1. Island
2. There Is No Light
3. Chain of Steel
4. So Soft, So Pink
5. Places
6. Great Lines
7. Today / Tomorrow
8. Liar Lion
9. Who Ho Ho Ho
10. My Heart

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