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 |
