Bailter Space
Capsul
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Bailter Space
Capsul
Turnbuckle, 1997
RiYL: Flying Saucer Attack, Gordons, Band Of Susans, My Bloody Valentine, Hawkwind |
It was not meant to be for the band, who previously thrived on a dissonant wall-of-sound approach. Such gems as 1992's Robot World and 1994's Vortura featured vocals that were rich and engaging, melding perfectly with the voluminous guitars to form a whirling symphony of delight. The sound was as big as the distance between New York and New Zealand and as deep as the Marianas Trench.
Fortunately, Bailter Space recapture some of the magic with Capsul. "Sola" ranks right up there with the band's finest offerings. A jangly riff bridges the way to Alister Parker's reverberating guitar, which melds with the vocals in a way that really connects with the listener.
In particular, the vocals offer a harder edge than in the past. When John Halvorsen sings "Death aside" in "Dome," he utters the words with a deeper lyrical conviction than in previous efforts. The chorus of the fine lead track "Shield" sounds almost suitable for radio play, aside from the all-too-pure fuzzy soundscape that backs it.
Bailter Space still veer out there at times. "Picking Up" gets a bit eerie, with an oversaturated buzz and whispered vocals joining a deep rising bassline that loops over and over.
Capsul is a diverse offering, though the majority of the tracks nest at a happy medium, with a variety of hooks guiding the way through the trio's vast expanse of sound. Bailter Space have clearly learned from the Wammo experience, incorporating elements of urban America into the blissful formula they bred while living on the South Isle.
MICHAEL CHAMY |