Search - Bevis Frond :: London Stone

PUT ON A LONDON STONE ........

t'amant | WA | 10/18/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This killed the American contract deal with Reckless in the early 90's? Their loss! A great era for BF (next after New River Head) and Nick is in HIGH form most definitely. I'll be damned if I think my ranking of the many BF cds is all set in my head, when this one always tries breaking through to a higher spot - OH WELL, that is the sign of a great band, any particular day one or the other is your temporary favorite (and many perpetually fighting for 1st). Once hooked on these rockin' filled cd juggernauts, there is no going back ... you've become trapped in the inner Marshland permanently (I've warned you all before on other reviews and my BF list, clear some top shelf space, this can be addictive)!



These songs are ALL so cool: "Daisy chains, bright fractal traps, A lifetime put into freaked-out parallel universe, You never felt nothin' but the space between the gaps" (Well Out Of It). For those of us who can relate from years of art/music world obsessions, this will pull you right into that "space" for sure. This London Stone is pretty HEAVY!

And it doesn't hurt to be an avid guitar player since Nick Saloman rules the roost of melodic/psychedelic power (harmonized) guitar balladry land - I LOVE practicing to this just like I always have to Grateful Dead jams, the songs are harmonically very put-together usually (he learned alot from them and the Beatles it seems).



The songs are sometimes long but the ideas flow/develop nicely - like circular breathing. The lead guitar just pummels you in so many areas - Living Soul and Hail the Child Philosopher are pretty nice examples of Hendrixian channeling. There is a full-blown Celtic jam (Stonedance, Lord of Nothing could qualify with the nice fiddle playing); pensive/reflective folk-rocky acid-pop musings (Coming Round, Still Trying, Freedom Falling, Liquid Wheel, and others - his anthemic lead structures, choruses often show genius); Neil Young/Crazyhorse blues rock jammy throwbacks (London Stone, And Now She's Gone, Another Song About Dying); Kind of punky on some like "And Now She's Gone" (demo) and in other spots. The drumming from Martin Crowley is very good and frees up Nick a bit and it shows I think (he often does everything on many of his albums, a monumental task); Scavenger is a nice uncompleted extra with just Nick on the acoustic with more of the personal storytelling ... one of his strong points as a writer, VERY HONEST with the sharing usually. Sometimes thick with sarcasm, but still heartfelt and emotional, Nick's music hits hard and cuts deep!



If you're finally "Coming Round" to this great band, don't hesitate to put on a London Stone, it is WELL worth a few bucks. One of the great hidden rock albums of the past few decades (as are many of Bevis Frond's), especially if you like acid-rock and psychedilic rock/pop (or should be "pop" for popular). Enjoy weekly at least. NO JOKE!"