The Vocekesh – …All This And Hieronymus Bosch
By Andrew Duncan • Aug 25th, 2008 • Category: Categories, PsychedelicThe Vocekesh
…All This and Hieronymus Bosch
2007 – Strange Attractors
Origin: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Style: Psychedelic, Instrumental
Hieronymus Bosch is an often misunderstood Dutch artist of the Italian Rennaissance. Little is known about his life, he rarely even signed his paintings, and he died as obscurely as he lived.
The Vocekesh should not be so obscure in the indie rock world, chalking this as release number five in a series of bizarre psychedelic adventures that was fueled on early ‘70s psych-out bands like Guru Guru. And anyone who has followed the Drag City days should be familiar with this band.
They present a psychedelic acid rock experience that swirls and spirals into winded jam band instrumentals that continues with no real purpose or motive except just a collection of drug-hazed, fuzz guitar instrumentals deeply infused with sitars and endless beats.
At first glance, this album presents immediate appeal, especially getting the attention of a couple “Best of” lists after it was released (Berkely’s KALX put it at number 74 in June 2007 – http://kalx.berkeley.edu/charts/monthly/200706.htm, and Duke University’s WXDU put it at number one for the week of April 15, 2007 – http://www.wxdu.org/music/archives/2007_04.php). But unlike the space rock/kraut rock/psychedelic instrumental bands of the ‘70s, where their songs were short in number but deeply conceptualized to drawn-out depths, the Vocekesh does not limit themselves or hold back.
The band tries to pack too many songs into this release, tiring out what begins as a great musical experience. The progressive tracks of embellishment and sub-reality rock and roll is enough to get my attention, but not enough to keep it, even though I could listen to “Gazing At The Dust” all day long. This album is worth it in small doses and clearly demonstrates a group of guys who love their psychedelic rock, maybe a little too much.
Features ex-members of F/I
Cross-Reference: Guru Guru, Spacemen 3, Euroboys
Andrew Duncan is a journalist who has migrated to the forces of academia. He has written for various publications including Chord, Heckler, Readyset...Aesthetic, and a vast array of alternative press contributions. When not roaming the streets of Indianapolis, he is either addicted to KXCI, making music, or striving to watch every film listed on IMDB.
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