Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 07/04/2017
Label: Relapse Records
When laid next to “Sonic Praise,” Ecstatic Vision sounds more in control
of their sound this time around. The band now steers the jams rather than
letting the jams steer them. The “Sonic Praise” approach worked well but now
that Ecstatic Vision is a little more in control of what they’re doing, “Raw
Rock Fury” packs a harder punch as a result
“Raw Rock Fury” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1
– You Got It (Or You Don’t)
2 – The Electric Step
3 – Keep it Loose
4 – The Twinkling Eye
2 – The Electric Step
3 – Keep it Loose
4 – The Twinkling Eye
The Review:
One thing’s for sure - the riffs, grooves and jams on Ecstatic
Vision’s sophomore outing
“Raw Rock Fury” are just that; raw, rocking, and furious. It’s hard to tell
where the one jam begins and the next ends, which is a trip in and of itself.
Doug Sabolick harnesses the full power of the six string, playing the role of
band leader. He’s backed by Jordan Crouse on drums, Michael Connor on bass, and
the saxophone is taken care of by gatemouth Kevin Nickles. With these players, Ecstatic Vision
open the floodgates for a hypnotic roll of heavy jamming.
When Ecstatic Vision’s debut came out two years
ago, it made the scene. The way the band gelled was what got them turning
heads. The album was called “Sonic
Praise” and the tunes did just that; the vibes on that record molded in
such a way that the aural delivery was what psych heads were looking for. In
other words, Ecstatic
Vision got it. So when this new album opens up with the cut “You Got It (Or You Don’t)” it’s clear
that Ecstatic
Vision knows exactly what they’ve got and how to use it.
Throughout, Crouse keeps up the tempo in such a way
the songs sound as though they increase in speed but never actually do. It’s a
vibe that pierces through each song, underpinning the band’s approach to
songwriting. Though these four boys from Philly heed the call of the jam, they
never stray too far into the outer realm of the solar system. With an insane
use of a saxophone and down and dirty application of the harmonica, Ecstatic Vision
stay grounded. It’s this control that makes these jams interesting.
Are the jams repetitive and hypnotic? Sure, but thanks
to the band’s awareness of this, these riffs don’t get played to a point of no
return. It’s this that keeps these jams on repeat. Case in point is when
Sabolick proclaims “if you wanna boogie, baby, you gotta let me know,” in “Keep it Loose.” Judging by the song’s
groove, Sabolick’s baby sure did let him know. He’s got her attention,
mesmerized her, even, and that’s just what she’s looking for.
When laid next to “Sonic Praise,” Ecstatic Vision sounds more in control of
their sound this time around. The band now steers the jams rather than letting
the jams steer them. The “Sonic Praise”
approach worked well but now that Ecstatic Vision is a little more in control of
what they’re doing, “Raw Rock Fury”
packs a harder punch as a result. The band sounds free, they keep their heads
on their bodies, and nail these raw, rockin’ and furious tunes
“Raw
Rock Fury” is available here
