Search - Gary Lucas :: Gods & Monsters

Go Go Gotham

01/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here is the brillant follow-up to Gary Lucas' Skeleton at the Feast. It is an unique sculpting of compositions and utilization of various musicians from different backgrounds and cities. Mr. Lucas appears to have a keen, supreme way of knowing, or selecting the proper folks to create his monstrous brew. Hence, we have the first Gods and Monsters recording. Once again I find his work very approachable, honest, sincere and have used this recording almost like a library archive; it was my first Lucas acquistion when it came out. We also have Gary piloting the controls at warp factor #10 so you can be assured of a very memorable ride. The first composition: "glo-worm" is a lightning ripping fingerpicked floopter that is jangled nicely by Rolo McGinty's vocals. Rolo hails from the group, "The Woodentops." " Poison Tree" exudes textures that are akin to a visitation, or the levitation of women in Andrei Tarkovsky films. Mary Margaret O'Hara's voice seems to spread out and circulate like the delicious geometry of the lovely St. Lawrence river on an autumn afternoon. " Astronomy Domine" is a high-octane cover of the Syd Barrett composition and reminds one of how delicious a vivace for lemonade can truly taste. " The Brain from Planet Eros" scorches the very walls of Gotham as it roars and cries out for more. The piece features Jon Langford on vocals who hails from , " The Mekons." "King Strong" closes out the album and is bold and courageous like red, or Beethoven riding a tidal wave into shore. This piece unfolds like a carnival on Venus and rolls you to the crossroads of Mars. Once again I have just selected a few compositions to write blurbs about. Mr. Lucas' works are hauntingly original .The landscapes invoked beget such utter beauty that one is reminded of the simplicity and beauty of our galaxies, the glory of love and the enticement of a good monster movie on a saturday afternoon. Igor, bring me my devices..... Get on down to your local music shop and get your monsters today."

Press Releases

01/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"FOR GODS AND MONSTERS:"4 STARS...awesome, idiosyncratic chops...this music projects a coherent ensemble style and sensibility...soaring melodic flights and, at times, an unexpected but welcome country-rock flavor." ROLLING STONE, 3/93"