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Toolshed sum up everything Twisted Nerve set out to be from the start - ambitious, unique, charismatic and an impeccable talent for creating a quality tune. The very fact it’s taken four years for Graham Massey’s ‘latest’ project to get a deal, is a sign of how dismal the industry is. Thank the lord Twisted Nerve stepped in then.
Making a welcome return from the one-off self released 7", ‘Pazuzu’ is a fierce soundtrack to a 70’s car chase scene, the kind of music Prey attempted to create with their debut single ‘Always Ahead Of The Game’. ‘Marbles’ sees a similar formula but with the addition of about ten drummers, it’s another five minute outburst of old Pysch and drug fuelled biker movies, essential stuff. All these genres surprisingly compliment each other gracefully and effortlessly, you wont have heard anything quite so inspiring in your life.
The real killer piece comes from Massey’s own ‘NaNaNaNaNaNaa’, a sonic exploration into the unknown. Incorporating more genres than you’ve had hot dinners, it’s a seriously spooky but hypnotic offering. Mashed up jazz, high-pitched vocodered vocals and ace drumming tops off this offbeat stormer. A glorious Sun Ra cover shows ToolShed’s secret weapon off perfectly, the Gospel-esque vocals of Seaming To, a standout singer who sounds like no other.
The release is too diverse to pigeonhole, without a hint of pretention either, it’s as if Massey wanted to collate every piece of music he’s ever heard into one complete package. He’s pretty damn successful too. Music as good as this doesn’t come about often, embrace it while you can.
8/10 |
