Review Summary: A lovely gift for the fans
This summer Motorpsycho started taking orders for what would become the most elusive project in their career so far. Fans only had a certain amount of time to order
The Motorpnakotic Fragments and once the deadline was reached, any chance to obtain them was gone forever. Then, the lucky ones started receiving every six weeks or so one 7" vinyl, containing two songs and unique artwork. With the 4th and final single, which was shipped along with the CD, the manuscript was completed. This is not the first time the band gave such gifts to fans, the first being
Child Of The Future, released solely on vinyl (with special artwork too) on their 20th anniversary, however, this easily tops it both musically and conceptually.
Even though it was marketed as a compilation of unreleased tracks that couldn't find their place on any record throughout the years, they sound too cohesive and reminisce most the previous two LPs,
Behind The Sun and
Still Life With Eggplant. I believe they have been re-recorded in the past two years (and possibly re-arranged too), because there are many sonic similarities to what we have heard lately. Either way, these prolific Norwegians have done it again. There are some gorgeous tunes to be found on
The Motorpnakotic Fragments and all are meticulously crafted. Moreover, they are shorter and more straightforward, thus becoming more immediate and easier to digest. One of the key tracks here is 'Mockingbird', with its idyllic tone and swaying sing-alongs. The distorted bass and snare-filled drum patterns drive the vocals and guitars, which work very well together, delivering some murky riffs and tasty solos. Another highlight, the explosive opener, 'The Jig Is Up (Kiss The Snake) shares groovy rhythms interspersed with some of their hardest hitting rhythms in a while and a really cool psychedelic solo towards the end. On the contrast, 'Future Of Our Nation' grows from an infectious lead and a deep bass rhythm to a noisy coda, where everyone helps creating a wall of fuzzy riffs and solos.
It wouldn't be a Motorpsycho record if there weren't some lovely, summery songs to be found. 'Forget It' is a lighter jam with beautiful vocals and lovely organ touches that bring to mind the shiny '60s and the Summer of Love. Also, 'One Way Or Another' is a softer ballad where Bent manages to sound like Ozzy Osbourne in the '70s. As the song reaches its climax, the dual guitar leads and faint keyboards give way to an epic solo. The atmosphere it creates is similar to a hot day in the scorching summer heat. You feel exhausted and everyone around moves in slow motion.
Overall, it's easy to observe the chemistry between the members is at an all time high. Releasing such strong albums every year while constantly reaching new creative peaks is what makes Motorpsycho a key act in the entire hard rock/prog/psychedelic scene today. Those who missed the pre-orders will most likely find their way to the tracks via internet and they should as fast as they can, because these songs are just as good as anything that came out before them. Dig it!
