Review Summary: What exactly does a "gay witch abortion" consist of?
With a name like "Gay Witch Abortion" its easy to be dismissed as a joke or a novelty item at best. About a year ago, when I first saw these guys play a live set, I have to admit, I laughed before they came on-stage and expected to hear some silly brainless noise that I would have to choke down until the headliner appeared. Instead, I discovered technical guitar exploration never before heard and a drummer who digs himself into a seamless air tight package of pure rock passion that from a two-piece, is staggering. GWA was all business as soon as the lights dimmed and the the music started playing it was just one devouring, rock song barrage of incredible, tight sound, after another. No antics, just pure art-rock. "Gay Witch Abortion" may sound a little funny by name but by music, they are a two-piece rock assault that grabs you by the neck and looks you straight in the eyes. If you try and look away they just shake you up a little and demand your attention to stay completely focused on them until the end of the set. I have never in my life heard two musicians who feed off of each other and complement each other so perfectly like Jesse Bottomey on guitar and Shawn Walker on drums.
After years of playing in the back a van, on a floating raft, in multiple dive bars etc... without an album to sell, GWA finally released it's debut album in January, 2009. Ranked by many, including "City Pages" as a premier underground band based out of Minneapolis, they were met with pretty high expectations. They also had to deal with a lot of anticipation from fans, and a fair amount of pressure from their record company for a realease of a full length album. "Maverick" needed to perform, and undoubtedly, perform it does. The only downside of the album is that it only lasts roughly a half hour or so. But, it is a half hour of devastating guitar and drum filled ingeniousness that leaves you wanting more.
The album starts off with an explosion of heavy guitar and well placed hard hitting drums on "Down with Giants" It more or less just keeps the same explosive feel without a progression or vocals for the duration of the song. The next song "Stain on the Floor" gives you a little bit of hook with some drone vocals and short "war drum" like solo in between as if it were the "chorus". Then, just to make everyone clear how much sound and dynamics a highly talented two-piece band can produce. "Action Cop" turns into an experimental guitar thrashing that sounds like it's coming from multiple sources but of course is simply an incredible display from Jesse Bottomeys wide range and mastery of his instrument. From the first 3 songs you get a good feel of the album which is different and interesting. The album takes a small interlude of strange sounds and after a couple songs kicks into "Third World Limo" which has some good feeling vocals that, like all of the vocals, are just meant for sound or as an experiment to blend in with the music, the words are meaningless but gives the song a blues feel to go with virtuosic guitar and the punishing drums.
The structure of the album seems to change itself a little in the second half of the album. "Church Buffet" could be considered the half-time show and is also the only song over 5 minutes long. No vocals made it into this song but with the ridiculous guitar work I could imagine singing would only get in the way. The song is full of awe-inspiring guitar and drum work throughout and it's one of the standouts of the album. The following song is a strange interlude of natural drone music paired with the sounds of goats “Baaaa-ing” or cows "Moooo-ing". Not sure what to think of this except it may be a moment for you to recoup for the next song, "Girl Pop Soda", which is the most destructive and heavy song on the album. Shawn steps his drums up a notch and Jesse follows suit. By this time you will have heard exactly what this two-piece is capable of. GWA switches things up a tad with "Wavey Grave" getting back to using vocals which fits in nicely after 10 minutes of previous instrumental tracks. The album moves quickly and without warning. "Curses" strays you back into instrumental but towards the end Jesse adds some "wooo-oooo" experimental sound with his voice.
The album wraps up with a drone, experimental instrumental song both strange and creepy in "Scythian Skull" followed by the finale "Asleep In The Dirt" which is equally as creepy but adds vocals. Jesse starts off "whistling" and then repeats himself a few times singing "Goooood night, gooood bye" The song leaves you with a little smirk on your face and warm and cozy feeling that only a "Gay Witch Abortion" can give you.
Overall this album is solid from beginning to end. I tried to find a weak song or even a moment, but everything serves a designed purpose on this album. Even the animal noises and the so-so drone vocals are there to take you away from the onslaught so you can catch a breath. The strangeness of this album and song to song progression as a whole keeps you locked in at all times. The shortness of each song keeps everything moving in steady fashion. This is an album that was created to be listened to from beginning to end and was arranged beautifully so it never becomes boring or repetitive. It might be hard for some to find a copy of this but "Gay Witch Abortion" have a myspace page and the album, "Maverick", is found under "Learning Curve Records" website. I recommend anyone who enjoys furious rock in a true art form, to find a way to own or to listen to this album.
Songs to check out:
Down With Giants
Stain On The Floor
Action Cop
Third World Limo
Church Buffet
"All of them"
