Monday, November 12, 2012
Reviews Maserati, 'Maserati VII'
Posted by Chris Parker on Mon, Nov 12, 2012 at 7:35 AM
There’s so much more tension in a Maserati song than most dance music. So while “The Eliminator” recalls classic big beat (think Chemical Brothers), there’s also a dark undercurrent that suggests a futuristic Spaghetti Western. Perhaps it’s just a sense of narrative. This may be why Maserati VII’s most successful tracks are the longest ones, notably 10 minute+ centerpiece “Abracadabrcacab” which doesn’t resemble Genesis as much as it does a heavily-processed Explosions in the Sky. There’s a slicing, chiming guitar-lead reminiscent of U2's the Edge circling a percussive Blue Man-ish center, shadowed by menacing synthetic storm clouds.
There’s a solid mix of moods, from the icy, ’80s minimalism underlying the group’s ode to Suicide’s Martin Rev throughout the goth-tinged psych rock of “Solar Exodus,” with its robotic Auto-Tune vocals the only such track on the disc. The album closes with “San Tropea,” a fitting encapsulation that seeks to transpose Pink Floyd to the shores of Ibiza. While the rhythms can feel as oppressive as a sauna over time, the intricacy, color, and melody in the arrangements make Maserati VII a mesmerizing and more entrancing listen than mere chill-out room fare. (Temporary Residence).
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