my ears recently stumbled into the octopus project and through in depth exploration of their latest album i’ve come out with the solid belief that this band is pure fucking genius. they’ve inspired me to no end with their latest endeavor hello avalanche. what to say…what to say…well, it’s stunning.
imagine yourself just trotting along and then all of a sudden you’re knee deep in a sonic pool of electronic keyboard-guitar-madness. but the madness is melodic and vibrant and intense like the first time you ever ate a magic mushroom and contemplated the “what it all means” thing. with hello avalanche you feel as if you’re on a journey with lush scenery wafting constantly into view. the scenery is surreal and pulsating and curious and wild. how on earth to verbalize…its like experience. like a soundtrack to the “a-day-in-the-life-of-anyone” show that’s constantly going on around us all. and here’s a magnificent affect for you… somehow this album seems to render even the most mundane moments beautiful. seriously, pay some of your bills with this album playing in the background and you’ll see what i mean. drive home in traffic to it and see how the journey treats you. go jogging with this blasting out of whatever music pod thingie-ma-bob you may use. trust me…you’ll be happy you did. a wide range of instruments is played through out. you know you’re in for a treat when you throw a theremin, a glockenspeil, guitars, a bass, keyboards and a couple of samplers into a sack and shake ‘em.
as a musician, this album has really hit the spot in more ways than one. i play music in my spare time, both solo works and occasionally with a small group of friends, and the octopus project has really lit a fire under my ass with regard to me now getting this feeling of “damn, these folks are doing it…i need to quit being such a lazy ass!”….cause yeah.. they’re doing it and doing the hell out of it and they’re four people… no vocals necessary and making damn powerful music. brilliant music, both poppishly pretty electronically complex…capable of evoking a range of emotions sure to rock your world.
not to mention, these are austin locals which is almost beyond cool for those of us living here damnit! this bunch plays the clubs regularly and you can bet your ass i’ll be at the next shin-dig. add these people to your playlist now…trust me…i know these things. next time we’ll discuss how gogol bordello puts on one of the craziest most awesome live shows i’ve ever lived through.
the octopus project is:
- Josh Lambert: guitar, bass, keyboards
- Toto Miranda: drums, guitar, bass
- Yvonne Lambert: samplers, keyboards, theremin, glockenspiel, guitar
- Ryan Figg: guitar, bass, keyboards
website: www.theoctopusproject.com
wikipedia in yo face: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Octopus_Project
