VARIOUS ARTISTS
The Wall [Redux] MAGNETIC EYE
Riff-wielders flock to Pink Floyd’s rock opera
Pink floyd’s Rock opera about the life and times of an increasingly agitated, irritated and isolationist rock star has connected with audiences since its 1979 release to the tune of its sales eclipsing an inconceivable 23 times platinum. Its story of an individual’s slow breakdown, and eventual self-imposed removal from the trials and drama of everyday living resonate to this day. Consider the influx of information assaulting us at a non-stop pace, overcrowding, constant conflicts about the massive and miniscule and the resultant increase in mental health issues plaguing every arm of society. Unsurprisingly, people want to cocoon and isolate from life and society, but the expectation is that we always engage. The Wall [Redux] sees members of heavy/stoner/doom/psych subgenres celebrating the musical source material with the likes of participants like Mark Lanegan, Scott Reeder, ASG and Mos Generator personally and professionally relating to the marginalisation theme. As well, it’s a safe bet that all of the 26 involved artists have nabbed some amount of influence from Pink Floyd. Unavoidably, some of the contributions are mere covers of Roger Waters’ minimalist indulgences – Sergeant Thunderhoof, Blue Heron and Sunflo’er doing The Happiest Days Of Our Lives, Stop and the especially ambient Bring The Boys Back Home, respectively – that leave a shortchanged, lack of development feeling behind. On the other hand, irreverent stamps are put on material with Red Mars Sky injecting Comfortably Numb with massive stoner doom, Pallbearer making Run Like Hell stadium-ready, Church Of The Cosmic Skull giving The Trial a little Bohemian Rhapsody flair and the always shape-shifting Melvins making In The Flesh sound equally massive and tender. There’s a lot to explore here, and while it may have been musically updated by veteran and newcomer artists,
The Wall [Redux] shows that where we’re at in the world has remained the same.
FOR FANS OF: Pink Floyd, Melvins, Pallbearer
CONNIE GORDON