Album
Type: Full length
Release
Date: 26/5/14
Label: Self-Released
“To the Estimated Size of the
Universe” CD/DD tracklist:
1). Slo Forward Jam (07:54)
2). Butterfly (09:04)
3). Magnolia (09:36)
4).The Meteorian (15:22)
Bio:
Based
in Thessaloniki, in Greece, fuzzy psychedelic rock trio CRAANG have released
one of the best spacey-psychedelic rock releases you’ll hear this year.
“To the Estimated Size of the Universe” is an impressive debut full-length album that offers an enthralling brew of
fuzzy stoner rock laced with healthy dose of 70’s psychedelic rock. The combination works remarkably well and has
the ability to take you places as far and wide as the cosmos.
The whole record flows together excellently, with each track fading into the next, never losing the momentum. That
said, lie back and listen “To the Estimated Size of the Universe” from the beginning to the end and enjoy the stellar cosmic journey that CRAANG will take you on during forty-plus minutes
“To the Estimated Size of the Universe” is an impressive debut full-length album that offers an enthralling brew of
fuzzy stoner rock laced with healthy dose of 70’s psychedelic rock. The combination works remarkably well and has
the ability to take you places as far and wide as the cosmos.
The whole record flows together excellently, with each track fading into the next, never losing the momentum. That
said, lie back and listen “To the Estimated Size of the Universe” from the beginning to the end and enjoy the stellar cosmic journey that CRAANG will take you on during forty-plus minutes
The Band:
Manos | Guitar, vocals
Mike | Bass
Nick | Drums
Review:
Boasting
some of the cooler artwork I've seen in some time, a nice watercolour
psychedelic theme, you can tell off the bat “To the Estimated Size of the
Universe” is going to take you on a trip. Beginning with atmospheric sounds
into some nice heavy chugging bass and sweet lead wah-work the first track “Slo
Forward Jam” begins our journey into space. Around the 2:50 mark
there is some pretty awesome huge spacey guitar noise that reminds me of a more
extreme drugged out version of Gilmore's “whale sound” from the interlude in
Floyd's seminal track “Echoes.” A more Floydian experience inhabits the middle
section of the track with some nice open melodies and the guitar work here is
pretty exceptional. The coda section begins with a riff explosion that reminds
me somewhat of Dylan Carlson's playing in Earth's classic “Pentastar: In the
Style of Demons” as Craang throws some nice bends/slurs into the heavy blues
riffs
The
second track “Butterfly” has the introduction of nice verbed out open vocals,
over some really interesting riffs. Craang's riffs on this track are
fascinating and seem to be in ¾ but imply a polyrhythm over bluesy riffs.
Definitely a cool feel and some very nice drum work throughout.
My
only real critique of this album is that some parts of the kit and perhaps the
overall drum volume could be slightly higher. The cymbals in particular could
be just a tiny bit higher and seem to need some Eqing to separate them a little
bit from the mix as some of the individual hits are hard to make out. That
being said the overall production is fantastic as the guitars and bass sound
awesome and the kick/snare/toms sound fantastic. The guitars and bass tones are
great and the heavier parts have very similar tones to Elder's newer releases.
The vocals are also perfectly verbed for the songs and float over the silky
carpet of sound Craang weaves.
“Magnolia,”
the third of the songs seems to be the inspiration for the flower child
artwork. Not disappointing by channelling more heavy 70s sound. This track
reminds me a lot of the band Elder, but if they dropped way more acid and
smoked less weed. Taking us on a huge trip this track covers a huge amount of
sonic territory from rifftastic to spacey and tripped. I agree with Craang in their subconscious
choice of this song as inspiration for the album artwork, it perfectly
encapsulates their sound and I'd be inclined to say it's my favorite song on
the album.
I
really like the beginning of the final track “The Meterorian” in particular,
the nice volume swells over the crushing fuzz bass are a nice subtle
atmospheric touch. By far the longest track on the album, it boasts a pretty
different sounding melodic section right before the middle, with some melodies
that sound inspired from some classic 80s synth soundtracks during the
non-heavy part. Really cool part it separates the track nicely into the heavy
part into the break/open section.
Really
great song writing as “The Meteorian” progresses heading into some Ufomammut
noise freakout territory with some feedback oscillations spiraling into your
subconscious.
In
closing, Craang has a very interesting sound and demands to be heard. They have
estimated the size of the universe and it is vast and all encompassing. Join
them on their trip below.
Words
by: Chris
Tedor
You
can pick up a copy here
and watch out for the vinyl release via Pink Tank Record next year
For
more information:
