Bark Psychosis
Hex


4.5
superb

Review

by chambered89 USER (66 Reviews)
February 22nd, 2010 | 121 replies


Release Date: 1994 | Tracklist

Review Summary: "Hex" was one of the first albums in history dubbed post-rock and rightfully so; there was nothing like it before it was released and to this day influences a multitude of artists associated with the genre.

The tale of Bark Psychosis is an unpredictable one. Formed in 1986 from East London, they started out as an uninspired Napalm Death cover band (and attempting to be popular) still in high school only to evolve into more lush soundscapes and evolving song structures. The obvious originality at the time garnered a multitude of critical attention which only pushed Bark Psychosis even further to the edge of the creative spectrum. After a few demos and 2 separate singles stretching 8 years, it was time for this talented group to release their full-length debut; thus we have "Hex", a sprawling masterpiece of beauty and complexity, unheard of at the time in it's atmosphere and still relevant to this day. "Hex" was one of the first albums in history dubbed post-rock and rightfully so; there was nothing like it before it was released and to this day influences a multitude of artists associated with the genre.

The real beauty in "Hex" is in its ability to stay tightly controlled while maintaining a free spirit; at times "Hex" will drift along using eerie tones and ambience to create a wonderful atomsphere only to crash into a tight melody, sometimes in the same song. The Loom starts in a similar fashion; finely honed yet lush, it starts the album off in an uplifting and creative manner. From there on "Hex" only gets darker and more mysterious; instraments bounce sound off each other, waves of sonic exploration rain down on the listener and the result is complete and unmitigated euphoria.

"Hex" is not only one of the pioneer albums in the post-rock genre, it's also one of the best albums of the 90's. It's blend of melody and structure contrasted with a smooth ambience make this an original listen. This is a remarkable and puzzling achievement made even more so by how Barking Psychosis got to this point, starting out as a Napalm Death cover band. "Hex" is essential for any post-rock fan.



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user ratings (539)
4.2
excellent
other reviews of this album
Nick Mongiardo (5)
Lush, thought provoking and timeless, Hex is driven by its beautiful musicianship and evocative atmo...

Neoteric (3.5)
An original and excellent album brought down by a rather lackluster second half....

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Comments:Add a Comment 
Observer
Emeritus
February 22nd 2010


9393 Comments


Awesome review, Sam. I'm sorry people haven't commented, though. The way you bring the album's importance with the intro and get right to it in the second paragrah without wasting words is really great.

I noticed that "instraments" in the second paragraph should be instruments. Other than that, awesome. Pos.

YouAreMySilence
February 22nd 2010


3726 Comments


Record is so good, would be better if it wasnt for Laughing Stock, which seems to me to be kind of just a better version of this.
Which is my one disagreement with this, is you play the "post rock pioneeer" card too much when their really not, obviously its original but just not to the extent you suggest imo.

Electric City
February 23rd 2010


15756 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

yes this is wonderful, but piggybacking on YouAreMySilence, I don't think it's as pioneering as you make it out to be. Sure it was the first record to be flat out called "post rock," but it came well after Talk Talk's "defining" records. To me this sounds like a well executed version of what Talk Talk did when they combined jazz with ambient rock. It's kind of like what Souvlaki is to Loveless: both are fantastic records, but one clearly has more influence regardless of which one you like more simply because one of them came first and introduced a whole new sound.

SeaAnemone
February 23rd 2010


21429 Comments


so I should listen to this? I read this review the other day.

Electric City
February 23rd 2010


15756 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

oh definitely it's a fantastic album, great sound. A Street Scene is my early favorite

theacademy
Emeritus
February 23rd 2010


31865 Comments


FIRE IN THE DISCO!

Relinquished
March 21st 2010


48718 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Revisiting an old friend here.

qwe3
March 21st 2010


21836 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

The Loom is one of the all time best post rock songs. Actually my bad it's Pendulum Man. oops

Polymath
February 17th 2011


3836 Comments


Such a relaxing album, perfect for going to sleep. Pendulum Man is some great work

demigod!
May 10th 2011


49586 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

90's post-rock is sooo much different from more modern post-rock. I think I prefer it. more originality

acorncheese
May 10th 2011


7139 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

demigod!
May 15th 2011


49586 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

i think this is too experimental and weird to be labeled post-rock personally

Psychopathologist
May 15th 2011


1922 Comments


not really

bab808
August 12th 2011


456 Comments


street scene is such an amazing song

fsharptrit0ne
August 12th 2011


4816 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This is a good short review dude



album rules

Hyperion1001
Emeritus
September 19th 2011


25763 Comments


Umm can somebody please explain to me why the FUCK no one ever recommends this in post rock discussions?

Relinquished
September 19th 2011


48718 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I would have if you asked

Hyperion1001
Emeritus
December 19th 2011


25763 Comments


this is essential if you like post rock at all

Divine
December 22nd 2011


3663 Comments


People have seem to have forgotten about this album

Hyperion1001
Emeritus
December 23rd 2011


25763 Comments


do


it


now



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