Review: Mouth - Floating

Tonzonen are one of those labels on whom you can rely on bringing you top notch sounds and this new one from Mouth is a prime example. A band of whom I had never heard, Mouth are denizens of Cologne and they play a dizzying mix of "'retro prog', Krautrock, hard rock, psyche and glam rock"....what's not to like there eh? The press blurb makes reference to their previous album 'Vortex' and that 'Floating' has been informed by that release but worry ye not, it stands alone as a recording (although it does mean that I'm gonna have to find 'Vortex'), in fact, it more than stands alone, it stands proud as a damn fine record.

'Floating (reprise)' is like a sugar coated trip back to the sixties with some lovely sitar like guitar and hushed, harmonised vocals..a track that just makes you smile and feel that all is well in the world. 'Madbeth' on the other hand is a beast of a different colour; strident stabs of guitar complement impassioned vocals that cross that span between prog and psych...it struck me as a track that would fit very well in the Fruits de Mer roster, it has that same vibe about it. 'Homagotago' again manages to change the direction of the album - essentially a nine minute long krautrock informed prog jam with plenty of swirling synths and motorik groove. 'Reversed' is a little gem of a song - another that harks back to the sixties with its colourful psychedelia but with a contemporary edge that gives it a hard edge and has some wonderful wah-wah! 'Sunrise' is another krautrock informed jam - not outright krautrock but certainly has a hint of motorik and a flash of kosmische amidst some wonderful psych guitar...my only complaint is that, at 5 minutes in length, it's not long enough. 'Distance' ( a track that was initially meant to open the previous album 'Vortex') is a sparkling psychedelic 'pop' song with plenty of organ action and more of the Mouth distinctive vocals..a song with a real ebb and flow about it..moving from positively jaunty to almost melancholic drone. 'O.T.B. Field' sees the return of more superlative wah-wah but this time around in a more outright progressive song both in structure and sound while 'Sunset' is another of those short krautrock jams with some coruscating guitar and relentless groove...again, too short, was just getting really into it when it came to a halt - these guys need to do an album purely based around these jams, they're good!!

I really, really enjoyed this album..it is one of those rare records that take a variety of styles and influences but doesn't sound confused or muddy, indeed it is that variety that makes this so enjoyable. The band move from psychedelic pop to King Crimsonesque prog to groove laden krautrock with ease, resulting in an album that positively flows and crackles with fine songwriting and infectious tunes. It is like nothing else you will hear this year. It can be purchased via the Tonzonen webshop here and comes in funky blue or green vinyl.