 | Tracklist:
1. Lethe
2. Rite of Goetic Evocation
3. Mirror Water, Lightning Night
4. Ocellated God
5. Gamma Knife
Release Date: 01/04/2012 | |
| | other reviews | LordHugoThePoet (5)
This is not an album of perfection. The album takes it's flaws and holds them at face value, just li... | Thomas Michael Morris (4)
"THE FUCKING GROWLS ARE BACK! THE MOTHER FUCKING GROWLS ARE BACK!"... | mcg182 (4)
Kayo Dot create an album that revisits the anger and dissonance of motW, while still remaining fresh... |
On 11 Lists
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| Summary: For the first time in years, Kayo Dot feels musically relevant. |
5 of 7 thought this review was well written
Gamma Knife is the latest from everyone’s favorite NYC experimental band, featuring the mastermind Toby Driver, as well as some returning members, including violinist Mia Matsumiya. For many, the band has seemingly hit a creative speed bump, with more recent releases lacking consistency and cohesion. Gamma Knife is refreshing in that it feels a bit more well thought out, and more finely executed. It goes without saying that this album is in no way a return to Choirs of the Eye, however, as Driver himself has stated that the band has since moved on from that sound, and is content with dabbling in other areas of the musical realm. And really, this isn’t shocking, as every single Kayo Dot release is starkly different it predecessors. Interestingly, Gamma Knife sort of bucks that trend a bit, and sees the return of a more metal influenced sound, somewhat in the vein of maudlin of the Well. But per the usual, this is much unlike the rest of the band’s discography, standing out as wholly unique.
The album is noticeably shorter than most other Kayo Dot releases. The band made a conscious decision to cut the length in exchange for less time in between material, and it paid off in spades. That isn’t to say that Gamma Knife is lacking, for the condensed nature of the album as made it virtually filler free, something that detracted a lot from Coyote, as well as Blue Lambency Downward. The three middle songs display the band’s newer, more metal influenced direction. Filled with growls and crushing guitars, they feel much in the vein of songs like “They Aren’t All Beautiful” and “_on Limpid Form.” “Rite of Goetic Revocation” is the strongest representation of Gamma Knife, blending dense, frenetic, and menacing sounds with that certain Kayo Dot flair. But it’s the beginning and end songs that standout. “Lenthe” and the title track are much mellower, lacking any metal influence, with a large emphasis on atmosphere and minimalism. They are effective as both an introduction and an epilogue; the calm before and after the storm.
Yet as with almost every Kayo Dot release, inconsistency rears its ugly head. While much of the record is an absolute delight, the middle section sees a dip in quality. Once more the band indulges in free-jazz wankery, albeit this time with a noticeable dip in production. It sounds slightly muddled, with the three middle tracks melting into a giant blurry mess. Saxophone cries over Drivers distant and murky vocals, while the rest of the instruments vary in clarity. It doesn’t detract too much from the overall product, but when agonized and grating vocals blare over a goofy sounding wind instrument, it definitely feels like a missed opportunity at greatness.
Gamma Knife, for all its quirks and inconsistencies, is still a pretty damn fine record. For the first time in years, Kayo Dot feels like a bankable act and a relevant one to boot. If you’ve been anxiously waiting for Choirs of the Eye pt. 2, then you’re going to have to keep waiting. But for those who’ve embraced the band-eccentricities and all-then Gamma Knife will be a very welcome addition to the Kayo Dot discography.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off
Of course I was going to review this
Digging: Suis La Lune - Riala Digging: Suis La Lune - Riala | | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
It was fun having the only review for a day.
Nice work though, only thing is it's "Mia Matsumiya"
I basically agree with the whole review though, I was obviously just more enamored with the initial kvltness of the middle three songs haha.
Digging: The Mayan Factor - 44 Digging: The Mayan Factor - 44 | | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
Agree about the middle section sounding muddled.
Is it true that they were forced to record some of this live because they couldn't afford a true recording? I find that hard to believe. I thought they were trying to do something new by recording it live and trying to make it sound like it wasn't.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
choirs and dowsing were great. unfortunately everything after ranges from insanely boring to ok. Its all beautifully composed stuff but some of it doesn't work at all. I love Driver though, everyone should def check out his solo album its excellent
Digging: Hard Jams Inc. - Mars Volta False Prog Digging: Hard Jams Inc. - Mars Volta False Prog | | | Album Rating: 3.5
Good review, Eli. I'm about to listen to this.
Digging: Bjork - Vespertine | | | Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off
Thanks mang, I'm decently sure you'll at least enjoy parts of it
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
This is great so far. wtf
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Solid review Eli - I pos-ed. However, you really don't need that first paragraph - starting off with "Gamma Knife is the latest from everyone’s favorite NYC experimental band, featuring the mastermind Toby Driver... would have been perfectly fine. Moreover, the very personal angle on the opening paragraph really drags and - forgive me - talks more about yourself than the album. Frankly, most folks simply aren't interested in any of that.
One minor niggle which I managed to spot: But it’s the beginning and end songs that standout (include a space after "stand"). Aside from those this is pretty much all good though!
Digging: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless Digging: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
Yet as with almost every Kayo Dot release, inconsistency rears its ugly head. While much of the record is an absolute delight, the middle section sees a dip in quality. Once more the band indulges in the aforementioned free-jazz wankery, albeit this time with a noticeable dip in production. It sounds slightly muddled, with the three middle tracks melting into a giant blurry mess. Saxophone cries over Drivers distant and murky vocals, while the rest of the instruments vary in clarity. It doesn’t detract too much from the overall product, but when agonized and grating vocals blare over a goofy sounding wind instrument, it definitely feels like a missed opportunity at greatness.
you know its live right? for the kind of music they are playing + that fact i think the production is absolutely marvelous. its hard to record heavy music live and give it this kind of depth. especially with a band that has this much going on. plus the rawness goes hand in hand with how you mentioned that this nods at old maudlin of the well, i find the production suitable for those albums, and therefore also for this one. anyways awesome review xeno, pos.
the drums on this are absolutely fucking insane
Digging: Sidi Tour - Koima Digging: Sidi Tour - Koima | | | Album Rating: 3.5
production is so great on this
| | | Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off
thank u!
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
Ramy you like this what the fuck.
And yeah, the drummer kills it. I was going to mention that earlier.
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I agree.
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The meet-in-the-middle attack uses a space–time tradeoff to find the cryptographic key in only 2n + 1 encryptions (and O(2n) space) versus the expected 22n encryptions (but only O(1) space) of the naive attack.
Digging: Janus - Nox Aeris
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free jazz wankery that ain't relevant?
Once again I feel the urge to attempt a refutation of yet another overly harsh and cruel scathing indictment of poor old Toby and co. ; ]
You done me wrong
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
"nce more the band indulges in the aforementioned free-jazz wankery."
Rofl. Bad review got even worse from here.
| | | Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
I don't really understand the obsession with constantly stating the band's relevancy. Why would they not be relevant because you didn't like a couple albums?
| | | Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off
Solid review Eli - I pos-ed. However, you really don't need that first paragraph - starting off with "Gamma Knife is the latest from everyone’s favorite NYC experimental band, featuring the mastermind Toby Driver... would have been perfectly fine. Moreover, the very personal angle on the opening paragraph really drags and - forgive me - talks more about yourself than the album. Frankly, most folks simply aren't interested in any of that.
One minor niggle which I managed to spot: But it’s the beginning and end songs that standout (include a space after "stand"). Aside from those this is pretty much all good though!
Thanks Irving! After re-reading it, I did decide to remove the more personal aspects. I was really digging it while writing it, but after looking over it again it was cripplingly boring.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off
I don't really understand the obsession with constantly stating the band's relevancy. Why would they not be relevant because you didn't like a couple albums?
Constant=/=twice
Kayo Dot used to be a fairly big band to talk about. Not just here, but for a lot of sites and other people. But now I've noticed they get little attention, and no one seems to give to shits about the band. THeir albums are released to little fanfare, and few discuss them afterwards. Idk it's just my interpretation of their career. Besides, I have bothe Coyote and Blue Lambency at 3. I assume you're one of those users who thinks anything below a 4 is 'bad'?
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Good review Xeno
it's good to see you getting back on your feet
Digging: Walknut - Graveforests And Their Shadows Digging: Walknut - Graveforests And Their Shadows
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