Its a brave experiment even for three supremely talented musicians to hatch a plan to jam together in a studio with no preconceived notions of what will eventuate except in setting a goal to create one new song (minus lyrics and lead breaks that come later) per day. But that’s exactly what George Lynch, Dug Pinnick and Ray Luzier have done for a third time now to stunning effect.
The resultant album ‘Circle of Dolls’ (read our interview to find out how the name came about) is a little darker than its predecessor and the equally wonderful debut,but that in itself adds another subtle layer to the mix. What’s clear on ‘Circle of Dolls’ is that musically there’s a huge amount of chemistry at work. Interestingly too it’s also an album that takes you on a journey and Luzier’s running order (all three agreed on opener ‘War of Words’) gets it just right too.
There’s a relentlessness to that opener ‘War of Words’ that is offset by it’s non traditional structure, and up against the jazzy vibe to the opening of ‘Mind Swamp’ which itself is offset against angular guitars and laid back vocals and an expensive ‘soundtrack’ guitar solo makes the most sublime of openings.
‘Circle of Dolls’ that follows is more straightforward, a slow shuffle that is almost grungy replete with Stone Temple Pilot melodies (maybe the Luzier connection with the DeLeo brothers?) It’s those melodies that become more uplifting towards the chorus, which itself cruises on a cool guitar pattern and busy drums, whilst all the spadework and accents are done by the great vocal that drives it all.It’s a great three card trick to open with.
As the album progresses the flow is just sublime: ‘Lightning’ offers up a slow, infectious jangling groove and ‘Time Flies’ sweeps out of the traps before languidly dipping its toe into a pool of sound before it soars again; whilst ‘Big as the Sun’ sees Luzier tap out a rhythm that’s built up from that initial ‘clay’ by Dug and George,its song you can almost feel evolving as you listen.
Deeper in ‘Vessel of Destruction’ is again given depth by Luzier’s drum patterns while Lynch anchors it and Pinnick riffs and wails, it’s a great example of the free flowing nature of these songs. ‘A Day Without Me’ that follows has an initial acoustic swampy blues feel that’s pulled to the banks by Dug’s vocal and George’s big dirty riff before ‘Wide Awake’ stands as the soundtrack to waking from a dream.
The album runs out with three fine tracks that even threaten to overshadow what has come before them plus a bonus radio edit of ‘War of Words.’ ‘Shadow Lover’ has an otherworldly feel that you really need to hear and ‘Cold Sweats’ meanders and sweeps around a cool lyric with harmonies that are cut through with Lynch’s guitar. The last song (a closer that all three agreed upon) the hypnotic and topical ‘The Border’ is a timely reminder that music this good has to be played and heard live. Check out our interview with Ray to find out more about the possibility of that.
Circle Of Dolls is scheduled for release on September 13th via Rat Pak Records.
Pre-order “Circle of Dolls” here.
Tracklist:
01. War of Words | 02. Mind Swamp | 03. Circle of Dolls | 04. Lightning | 05. Time Flies | 06. Twice | 07. Big as the Sun | 08. Vessel of Destruction | 09. A Day Without Me | 10. Wide Awake | 11. Shadow Lover | 12. Cold Sweats | 13. The Border | 14. War of Words (Radio Edit) [Bonus Track – CD & Download Versions Only]
Weblinks:
www.facebook.com/KXMofficial
www.ratpakrecordsamerica.com/kxm
