SPAHN RANCH - " THICKLY SETTLED " 1987 INSIGHT.

"Spahn Ranch was formed in August of 1986 in Detroit, MI. Although the name would suggest a connection with the Manson Murders, the band had no affiliation. In it's infancy, the band played in many local venues on the bill with various local bands. Quickly a strong following developed, which immediately precipitated a self titled cassette release of six tracks on the Ikthus Network label. After having missed their own billing at a show, the band was introduced to Eric Cope of Insight Records from San Francisco, CA. He offered them a contract with Insight after reviewing their cassette and video work. The band accepted and began recording their first LP, 'Thickly Settled' in California where they were welcomed by receptive audiences. 'Thickly Settled' was hailed as one of the best albums of the year by England's Underground Magazine, and also met favorable reception in the U.S. of A. None of the members of Spahn Ranch had any formal music training and had not played an instrument prior to forming the group. "The sound they create is tense and raw, not polished to distract from the music itself. Drummer Odell Nails lays down a thick, almost tribal drum beat, accompanied by Hobey Echlin's bass foundation for the music. Guitarist Brad Horowitz adds the energetic, consuming guitar melodies, changing the tunings for each song in order to make no two sets alike. Bob Sterner's vocals with a touch of folk influence, mesh with the instrumental sounds that give the finished product, intense music which envelopes and audience."

Más información: http://www.myspace.com/spahnranchmi.

Segundo disco producido por Eric Cope y del sello independiente Insight que compartimos en este espacio, conjuntamente con el ya conocido Glorious Din: Leading Stolen Horses (pincha aquí para escucharlo). A mi forma de entender, dos de sus mejores obras... producido conjuntamente con Matt Wallace en Oakland, California. Fotografía de portada realizada por Julie Ann Lymon. Éste álbum lo adquirí directamente en la web de una tienda musical ubicada en San Francisco y, según me explicaron, fue el mismo Eric Cope que les dio las últimas copias disponibles (a saber). También os quiero decir que obras como ésta son las que, en su día, empujaron mi curiosidad hacia el laberinto interminable del sonido "underground" de los años ochenta (recuerdo mis primeras sensaciones al escuchar éste disco, por entonces la música de los años 70 y 60 eran mi obsesión...). Además, siempre me ha llamado poderosamente la atención el gran parecido de voz que tiene en este álbum el cantante Bob Sterner con Thom Yorke (comparación arriesgada), cantante de la famosísima banda Radiohead... no os parece? Bueno, sólo me queda decir que espero que les guste tanto como a mí. Salut.

Spahn Ranch - Thickly Settled

Sello Discográfico: Insight
Referencia: SR-1291987
Formato: Vinilo 12", 33 RPM
País Edición: Estados Unidos
Año: 1987

A1. Witness
A2. Lo & Behold
A3. Echoes Of The Day
A4. Wonder And Perish
A5. Dissipation

B1. Each Time Centered
B2. Atonement
B3. Trial
B4. Countdown
B5. Thickly Settled
B6. Crutch
B7. .....