Gong Unending Ascending
Kscope (available now)
Earth’s favourite space rockers return with another helping of psychedelia
Psychedelic rock has seen many forms over the decades with variety and colour being a driving factor. And within this rich landscape, folk-rock – as much as prog-rock – is openly embraced. Gong have been going since 1967 with the late Daevid Allen originally at the helm. There have, of course, been many other musicians involved along the way, including Steve Hillage, as well as a brief period in 1976 with Allan Holdsworth. In their role as festival sweethearts, Gong quickly established themselves as forerunners of the so-called Canterbury Scene alongside Caravan and Hatfield And The North.
Fast forward to now and the line-up features five musicians – with Fabio Golfetti and Kavus Torabi on guitar – and the music maintains its eclectic mix of folk, pop, rock, jazz and ambience. The eight tracks are quite a journey and stylistically evoke many decades from the dreamy 60s to 70s rock, right through to modern electronics. Alternatively, consider The Beatles through to Pink Floyd via Frank Zappa as reference points.
Opener, TinyGalaxies, is wonderfully psych-rock with shimmering guitar picking, harmonics and a roaring guitar solo. MyGuitarIsASpaceship is a powerfully angular riffer with great vocals complete with saxophone and Fabio’s trademark glissando playing (his whammy bar shimmering the fretboard). O,Arcturus features a lead solo full of savvy key centre switching with great articulations, while AllClocksReset is loaded with semi-clean guitar riffing, lead phrasing and punchy tension. As far as rocking out is concerned, ChooseYourGoddess is sure to be a blast live with its diverse dynamics and root- movement. Ascending indeed!
Standout track: MyGuitarIsASpaceship
For fans of: Steve Hillage, Ozric Tentacles, Van der Graaf Generator