iLL - Gotten Gains (Album Review)

By: Aaron Pickford

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 11/03/2012

Label: Glassville Records

This record will not be to everybody's taste, but “Gotten Gains” by is a fantastic effort and whilst not immediately satisfying, after repeated listens, you’ll be as addicted to this record as I am.  This is a band on top of their game and this album is awesome!

‘Gotten Gains’ CD//DD track listing:

1. One Time (3:27)
2. A (5:06)
3. There Are Worse Things Than Being Alone (3:50)
4. Christine (7:49)
5. Bitch (3:43)
6. Castration (4:01)
7. Finches (4:04)
8. Gold and Opal (2:31)
9. Interlude (0:40)
10. Pearls (5:05)

iLL is:

Damion Goodpaster | Synth, piano, & Vocals

Marlon Patton | Drums

Ryan Waters | Guitar & Vocals

The Review:

The band themselves describe their music as "Big blues riffs with a punk attitude, rooted in soul. To us, the lines of classification between Ray Charles and Black Sabbath are very blurry".  This is their 2^nd release, having released their debut ‘Down in Deep’ in the summer of 2009.  According to their press release on Glassville Records “The band's recordings have drawn comparisons to the likes of Soundgarden, Queens of the Stone Age, Kings X and Stone Temple Pilots, while the band's live show has been described as "...a stripped down, Hendrix-inspired guitar power trio with the sonic ambition of Nine Inch Nails".

The first thing to stress about this record is that, it is a grower, due in no small part to the eclectic mixture of songs.  You got huge great big dirty, sleazy riffs and then more introspective slower stuff where guitars are in the periphery, replaced instead by synths and pianos.  Why should you care?  Basically, this album rocks!  “Gotten Gains” is an exemplary slice of groove infused rock and the first two tracks, ‘One Time’ and ‘A’, would not feel out of place on a QOTSA or Fu Manchu record; I’m talking ‘Songs for the Deaf’ or Fu Manchu’s latter day output. 

The opening two songs are infused with a strong desert rock influence and yet feel truly original.  The riffs have that simple groove, repeated phrasing of notes, but they are completely infectious and have you banging your head.  The bass sound of the synth (yes synth not bass) and drums, again have that thick sound, as if they were recorded in the famous Rancho De la Luna Recording studios with Chris Goss at the helm.  The lead solo on ‘One Time’ is just breathtaking; with the sound of wah giving it a strong Hendrix infused sound.  Ryan Waters is truly an accomplished guitar player.  ‘A’ is just a big fat beast of a riff, consisting of two notes for much of the verses, with shorts burst of a 4 note hammer off pull on section, used to devastating effect particularly when it's used as a power cord.

The striking thing for me on this record is the vocals; it was amazing to hear a powerful vocal performance.  Indeed I found the vocals to be beautifully harmonised at times with a whiff of Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) and Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys) at times.  The track ‘Christine’ is perhaps the best example of this, a slow introspective track driven by the piano, but with big guitars around the 4 minute mark.  This is the first time the album veers into more eclectic influences, perhaps even in the vein of Ray Charles as their bio describes, but it works and the album is stronger for it. 

‘Bitch’ returns to the solid riffs of the first two tracks.  Not as groovy, but retaining that Kyuss infused style with a kinda morose quality in terms of mood and texture.  ‘Castration’ is most recognisable for The Black Keys style vocal I mentioned earlier; it is the most uptempo track on the album, catchy as hell and it is easily another highlight.  The song reminded me of the little known stoner rock band Fatso Jetson, most famous for being signed to Josh Homme’s Rekords Records label.

‘Gold and Opal’ is another moody and sombre song again driven by piano, lyrically it seems to be dealing with loss and it is a fine example of how iLL are not afraid of using the full range of the influences in their songs.   What this album appeared to say to me was that iLL don’t appear to feel comfortable being pigeonholed, and are happy doing what the hell they want; following their own set of rules.  The band themselves freely admit finding the major label experience creatively restrictive and wanted to write the music they wanted.  This record will not be to everybody's taste, but “Gotten Gains” by is a fantastic effort and whilst not immediately satisfying, after repeated listens, you’ll be as addicted to this record as I am.  This is a band on top of their game and this album is awesome!  Congratulations guys.  All that left for me to say is, Buy this record now!  You won't be dissappointed.

              

‘Gotten Gains’ is available via their bandcamp

Band info: Facebook | Bandcamp