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Editorial Review:
It's a funny old title, for a band that hark so clearly back to the thatch-shaking glory days of ‘70s rock--but for all their aesthetic groundings in the music of the past, it's pleasing to report that on second album In the Future, Vancouver's Black Mountain most certainly sound like a band chasing no-one's dream but their own. Within, you'll find musky, masculine rock with something of the technical proficiency and seismic grooves of Led Zeppelin, grandiose swathes of vintage synthesiser, jaded rock lullabies, and in the shape of "Bright Lights", a 17 minute song in several movements that travels from snaking, raga-like like beginnings to a solo-strewn thrash by way of one lengthy mid-section of funereal organ and a couple of bouts of blazing, horizon-chasing rock boogie. Newcomers tempted in by the presence of "Stay Free", Black Mountain's desolate cactus-soul contribution to the Spiderman III soundtrack, might at first be alarmed by In the Future's instinct for exploring rock's more cosmic reaches. But two songs lead by sultry-voiced bassist Amber Webber, "Queens Will Play" and the closing, valedictory "Night Walks", offer melodic gems amongst the hairy, progressive jams--a reminder that up the Black Mountain, it pays to take the rough with the smooth. --Louis Pattison
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Hypnotic and hard-rocking offering from leaders in a field of one Not that you'd know it - what with this only being their second album - but Black Mountain main-man Stephen McBean has been around a long time. Then again, the tell-tale signs are all here: after all, you don't get to be this good at writing riffs overnight. And make no mistake, these are some of the best you'll hear all year - be they colossal, pedal-to-the-metal behemoths ('Stormy High') or delicate, exquisitely-crafted gems that lodge themselves in your brain and remain there for several days... more info
Prog rock kept alive - with a bit of grinding riffology thrown in. Some reviewers mention Led Zep, The Floyd and other bands in a class of their own when reviewing Black Mountain. Don't expect that but do expect some clear references to that early 70's feel. On the plus side its innovative, lively stuff with a clear intention to bleed riffs dry - great in parts and the 'girl can sing'. On the down side, they lack a Gilmour or other class guitar act that would turn this into a cut above anything on the market. Definately worth a listen though.
Good effort This is the first band that i have heard in a very long while that fill me with the promise of early Zep (and i don't mean by copy). If they keep developing, this band could really be something special.
Outstanding Classic Rock for the Noughties Very very occasionally in the 35 years I have been buying music an album comes along which blows away my cynacism and grabs holds of both of my earholes, gets under my skin and into my phsyce. This is one of those albums. This really is an absolutely outstanding album, a candidate for album of the year already. The influences are very clear Purple, Sabbath, Floyd, Spiritulized, Uriah Heep, Bowie and yes Evil Ways does indeed sound like Wolfmother. All of these things are good, very good indeed. With a... more info
