By Monk
There is a track on this, the fourth album from Finnish occult-influenced psych rockers JATAO that basically encapsulates and abstracts it into one neat sub-three minute precis, and that is lead single ‘Summer Tripping Man’… because, ‘Vertigo’ is basically a lysergic trip filled to the brim with feelgood vibes that induce a sense of hallucinogenic relaxation, combined with moments of heavy freaking out, that draws you into its irresistible embrace and makes you forget about all the travails of the world around you for the 40 minutes or so of its run time.
Now, at first glance it would be easy to dismiss, or even disparage, Jess and her no-so-ancient bandmates as just another doom band fascinated with the dark side, but that would be to do them to a severe disservice. Although their sound is very much steeped in the early Seventies and does possess an underlying heaviness, especially in the bass tones, and band members do hide behind stage names like Thomas Corpse and Fast Jake, JATAO’s overall approach is much lighter, more joyously celebratory than densely ritualistic, resulting in a sound that sits as easily alongside the likes of Jefferson Airplane as it does Black Sabbath or classic rock proponents such as Deep Purple.
With a heavy use of old-school keyboard swells, or the sort that would make Jon Lord or Don Airey proud, accentuating and elevating both the eclectic guitar work and the heavy-duty rhythms, each of the eight songs pulsate and vibrate with a latent energy that in turn energizes the listener and makes them want to explore its depths even further. It is an album which rewards time and again with each repeated listen, never dragging or presenting the urge to skip forward, presenting instead an homogenous yet eclectic experience.
Topping off the musical performances, of course, are Jess’ stunning vocals, which possess a gothic noir quality to them that helps elevate both them and the overall sound to an additional level of ethereality and entrancement that is as hypnotic as it is powerful.
The overall result is a majestic album that defies and explores our preconceptions with aplomb, panache and a deserved sense of achievement.
- ‘Vertigo’ is out now. You can get your copy HERE.
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