Gel-Sol - Horse Head Bookends

Gel-Sol makes his debut vinyl release on Verses Records and it's a stunner. The first track sets up the weirdness with some very cool 3-D sounding effects and sounds that litterally sound like a soundcheck for the 2nd track "The Magician's Sojourn". This is my favorite track off the album and has an incredible demo video online that attracted me to this whole release. Having been a long time fan/ listener of Gel-Sol this album digs more into prog rock sounds that are most likely his inspiration for this release. There is some head trippy dialogue from a long lost unknown sci-fi B-movie that could be found on that 1980's Hollywood spoof "It Came from Hollywood". I keep waiting for the line "We have taken over your planet and there is nothing you can do about it". Album continues its way with more crazy sounds and fiddling around with knobs, tubes, wires, and switches. Very cool to expand the mind. "Smoky Charbonneau" starts off in a nice down-tempo style but quickly turns into an industrial noise funk fest and I'm lovin' it.

Side two starts off with cool tribal rhythm beats that goes off into a lounge like weird easy listening music. I'd imagine this what listening to muzak on acid woud be like. "Star Ring Mi" has an awesome 70's new wage sound that points to the ways of Tangerine Dream and early Kraftwerk. Krautrock comes to mind. The album closes with the epic "Two Sisters". This record could have easily come out of the 70's or from the future. Take your pick. Keep in mind that the album comes with a download code that included an extra 45 minute ambient experimental track.

Before I close out this review I'd like to talk about the awesome packaging and artwork. The abum comees with these huge album cover matted sized double sided pieces of artwork that can be swapped out on the front so you can choose your favorite art piece to be the cover for display purposes. So much care and work put into this release it sets the bar very high for other artist trying to make an impact on the music scene. The music speaks for itself and Gel-Sol will become a name you will hear more of in the future of experimental electronic music willing to take chances. peace