| 4.5 superb | Alabaster Jones | February 17th 16 |
Sometimes it's a bit harder for me to truly grasp the full meaning of translated lyrics from bands foreign to my native tongue. Some of it gets lost in translation. But, when the music is thoughtful and focused, and the vocalist says what they have to say in a passionate, heartfelt way, that doesn't matter that much. I think I end up making my own lyrics sometimes if that's the case. It's most certainly the case with Awo, an album that perfectly juxtaposes Ethiopian jazz with jamming post-punk. The use of saxophones and trumpets throughout the album take the already catchy and fun post-punk instrumentals to new heights, but what really sets this record high on the bar are the wonderful vocals. They're sung with so much soul, so much passion, that's it's impossible to ignore. Even though you may not understand what he's saying, you can tell he means it. The high, forceful vocals mix amazingly with the thick bass and smooth sax, and the complex and interesting drums are ever-present, providing the backbone of the record. In all, Awo, with its fun, impassioned, catchy ethio-jazz/post-punk combination, is quite an accomplishment for Ukandanz.
3 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | svanveen | April 27th 16 |
I honestly can barely grasp how amazingly the stoner riffs and the singing in Arabic scale compliment each other. And then there's this catchy, jazzy vibe that will cling on to my brain for hours. Great album.rReal mindfuck for me, in a very positive way. Are there any other bands that combine this dirty Western sound with the Arabic scale? Anyone?
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.5 superb | Hyndez | September 19th 16 |
Never heard any vocals like this before. It perfectly blends with the jazz elements. AOTY stuff right here
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | arf | February 23rd 22 |
| 4.0 excellent | Alex C. | August 26th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | Prole | July 17th 19 |
| 2.5 average | YayoG1 | April 7th 18 |
| 3.5 great | Wolfe | January 6th 17 |
| 3.5 great | El Olam | December 11th 16 |
| 4.5 superb | Ulshad | September 27th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | TwigTW | February 27th 16 |
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