Eric Arn’s pscyh-rock experimental group, Primordial Undermind have been going far out into the cosmos of music for over fifteen years, catering for a market that becomes ever more sophisticated with each new venture from the band.
For a whole new collection of experiments, look no further then their new release, ‘Loss of Affect’, as trippy and psychedelic as any of their previous recordings.
The album starts with ‘Intercessor’, a far eastern sounding track with hums and wood instrument whistles all combining to create a sedative avant-garde slice of world music. ‘Breathe Deep’ meanwhile shifts style completely from the opening track, changing to a more acoustic folk sound; tranquil and reassuring and a track that blows as gently through a room as a warm summer breeze.
Yet, just as one particular musical styling is completed another, perhaps more familiar sound for Primordial Undermind, appears with ‘3rd Class Sissy’, a track that successfully combines key elements from psych-rock and blues with traces of jazz within its off-kilter, improvised sound and structure; an explosion of instruments all staggering their sound in a haphazard and hazy yet skillful and effective way.
‘In Violation’ on a totally different spectrum, feels more at home as a drone/noise piece, albeit with trace elements of the psychedelic seeping through its spellbinding sound patterns and movements, while ‘Tremens’ returns to a more traditional (for lack of a better word) pysch-rock experiment, allowing time to evolve and construct a fluid and stylish composition from fragile foundations of nothing but guitar distortion and energetic drum beats.
A fool’s game to categorize them, Primordial Undermind continue as ever to do what they feel in terms of musical output, the collection of styles and sub-genres applied turning the album into a tempting pick and mix for any devotee of avant-garde music and a mix that won’t leave you disappointed.
