The Necks

Aquatic

★★★★

Downing another Necks album, which is always soothing and interesting. Each album has a sort of theme or general idea behind it that is utilized to its maximum potential each time. On Aquatic that concept is more unique, there's violins and electronic obstructions all throughout the landscape. It also happens to be split into two songs, which is a bit rare. 

The first song contains a strong and stable bass that is the basic skeleton for this piece, everything else swirls around it. There are many points on this twenty eight minute long song that I am reminded of Black Sabbath's "Planet Caravan" mixed in with deep ocean field recordings. I swear there are some whales on this too, the title definitely doesn't lie. The whole album appears to be some sort of psych fusion jazz that lies in a completely different realm compared to their other works.

The second track travels in an even further realm with its lushness and density. There is this violin (or some other string instrument) that protrudes from the music every so often, like a parasite in the music of The Necks. It's unique and welcome for me and makes some parts of this song increasingly enjoyable. Like from the thirteen to fifteen minute mark, it's played solo accompanied only with these huge cracking glacier sounds that expand the sound of this whole piece. The drumming and rhythm intensifies beyond anything else from The Necks' discography that I've heard thus far.

 This whole release helps further the legend behind this trio and also proves to the unwilling listeners that they are very capable of pushing their boundaries. I'm sure this polarized some of their fans a bit back when it was released, but for the most part I'm certain that the majority of them really liked this direction they had chosen. 

Favorite Song: Two