Gargamel - "Watch for the Umbles"
(Transubstans Records 2006, Trans020)
Gargamel - "Watch for the Umbles"
(Transubstans Records 2006, Trans020)
From Aural Innovations #33 (March 2006)
Gargamel are a Norwegian act that were formed in 2001. They released one EP in 2002 but have not been very active until the release of this CD. The band is a 6 piece playing semi-improvised progressive rock influenced by bands like Van der Graaf Generator and Eloy. The CD opens up with an instrumental musical workout for 5 minutes, followed by some cool spaced out analog synth sounds, the intensity increases and the guitar solo follows. Amazing opening track. The CD contains 5 long tracks ranging from 6 to 17 minutes. "Strayed Again" is the second track. It's nearly 13 minutes long and features some spoken word like vocals in the background of a pretty dark themed song before the band take off and really play some cool stuff with cello, glockenspiel and flute! "Below the Water" is a bit influenced by early Pink Floyd in some ways. "Into the Cold" really takes off once it gets going and features saxophone as well as mellotron. Fantastic song… Wow. "Agitated Mind", at 17 minutes, closes the CD. It is quite a strange track with a lot of different parts and themes it seems. Follow the journey, enjoy…
For more information you can visit the Gargamel web site at http://www.gargamel.no.
Visit the Transubstans web site at: http://www.recordheaven.net.
Reviewed by Scott Heller