Review: The Space Spectrum - Drone Jams Vol 1

Following on from the rather wonderful Kill West EP, Drone Rock Records are readying their sophomore release: Drone Jams Vol 1 by The Space Spectrum, and is another inspired release by Drone Rock.

The Space Spectrum are a "space/drone/kraut collective" from Rendsburg, Germany, and produce the kind of head music that is meditative without being soporific; it has enough melody and music to keep it interesting but enough repetition to become almost trancelike. Channeling the greats of both kosmische and spacerock Drone Jams Vol 1 is a triumph of sparse spacey krautrock.

The LP opener, 'Magic Carpet', is just that; a vehicle to take you on a ride....it's all about the journey, man! There are obvious reference points to Amon Duul II and Faust etc but there are flashes of Hawkwind and fellow countrymen Electric Moon. The guitars are sparse with the keyboards taking the burden of much of the melody and the drums and bass providing a rock solid structure around which the track is built. There is a rawness about the track, and the following ones, that is fresh and exciting, it is not glossy and overproduced and so the music itself becomes the focus. This is a fantastic track that pays homage to the krautrock greats and yet has a personality of it's own.

'Mister Fiebertraum' continues in the same vein; a motorik rhythm overlayed with spacey synths and sparkling guitar. The guitar takes a larger role in this track but is restrained and so the track does not progress into a full-on jam session. 'Inner Voice' is the longest track at a shade over 11 minutes. It has some wonderful psych guitar tones, but as with the previous track, it is controlled relying more on tone and melody than volume. That being said, it is a track that builds, slowly and imperceptively at times but there is definite shift in momentum; the synths and effects become more urgent, the drums and bass driving the rhythm onwards and upwards and the guitar straying slightly into jam territory. The final track is a live version of 'In Search Of Drone' (from the album of the same name). Live these guys are obviously a different prospect; there is a real feeling of vibrancy about the track and the guitar of Nico Seel is given more license to roam (at times I swear the guitar sounds like Mick Ronson's on Bowie's 'Width of a Circle'). There is far more power about this live track and less of the meditative quality.

'Drone Jams Vol 1' will prove, I'm sure, to be as much of a success for Drone Rock as the Kill West EP. It is the work of a group who obviously love what they do, and do it well. The rawness is refreshing and the control and restraint is admirable; where other bands would be tempted to fall into 'freakout' mode, these guys keep it tight and on course and so have produced an LP of some top level kosmische, and that it never a bad thing!

'Drone Jams Vol 1' will be available from Drone Rock Records and the groups Bandcamp page is well worth checking out (especially 'The Red Eyed Queen' album - ace stuff!)

'In Search Of Drone' (Studio Version)