Thursday 27 November 2014

Camel Driver - S/T (Album Review)

Camel Driver cover art
Album Type: Album
Date Released: 31st October 2014
Label: Pink Tank Records

Camel Driver – S/T – Track Listing

1. Minor Cause
2. Wedding
3. Talus
4. Devil's Marbles
5. Heraklion
6. Megalith
7. Party Ogre
8. Outro

Members

Christoph - Bass
Lutz - Guitar
Alex - Drums

Review:

I usually go nuts over Instrumental Stoner Rock albums as it's one of my fave genres. Though the debut album by Desert Rock/Stoner Rock experimentalists – Camel Driver – didn't appeal to me right away as it should. I found it hard to find any emotional connection to the music. Sure they have some pretty cool riffs that ventures between Jazz, Desert Rock and Stoner Rock but it's a very hard album to like at first.

I suppose that's the point for Camel Driver's debut album. Mainly to try something different and standout from the crowd. Camel Driver excel on that level alone by delivering a debut album that dares to be different with jazzy musical interludes split with the Desert Rock/Stoner Rock riffs. Opening tracks – Minor Cause and Wedding – are two fine examples at what Camel Driver thrive at. Both songs are dripping with finely tuned Desert/Stoner Rock vibes that have a lot of fuzz running through it's soul. Over time I started enjoy this album immensely compared to my first listen. It started to speak to me more and more each time I listened to it.

I have had this promo for a couple of months now and only now I am writing the review for this. It's one of the hardest Stoner Rock albums I have listened to this year. That's one of the albums strongest points – It's a challenging and frustrating listen at times but you can't deny the talent or power that Camel Driver posses. The album is a finely tuned and complex album within the realm of Desert/Stoner Rock. Devil's Marbles perhaps the albums finest track sees Camel Driver showing off their musical skills with deft touches of Americana inspired guitar worshipping. Though the Desert/Stoner Rock vibe is never to far away. It can be a complex song to listen to as Camel Driver include many different layers of noise for you to experience.

Camel Drive have delivered a stunning debut album that only now I am starting to appreciate. It may of took me some time to come round but Camel Driver have a very bright future indeed if they deliver more creative and majestic albums such as this.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Jan at Pink Tank Records for sending me a promo to review. Camel Driver – S/T – is now available to buy on DD via BandCamp. Vinyl here and here from Pink Tank Records.

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