Moon Duo - Occult Architecture Vol 1
Formed in 2009 by Ripley Johnson (Wooden Shjips) and Sanae Yamada, Portland’s Moon Duo are a force of the underworld, psychedelic trancey vibes with a fearsome live reputation. The first of two albums to be released in 2017, and intended to be viewed as yin/yang, Vol1 being mixed in Berlin and very much the darker selection; conceived through immersing themselves in the esoteric writings of Crowley and his dark compatriots. The Death Set swirls and bludgeons around you, synths and drums providing a platform for the guitar to beguilingly fizzle. Cold Fear and Creepin’ continue the krautrock stoner tour with more whispered vocals and noggin numbing wig-outs. Cross Town Fade is a let-down, sounding disappointingly like Sigue Sigue Sputnik, and hopefully will not feature live, too perky and dated within this sinister set. Cult of Murdoch reclaims the doom, the wicked lovechild of Joy Division and Hawkwind. Splintered and rapturous harmonics and backwards guitar battle with intoned spells, I was too busy fugging out to hear who won. Will of the Devil has massive goth chops and would fit perfectly on the Lost Boys soundtrack. A sublime invitation to a live event where you’ll lose your mind; as a whole album, however, I’m going to need more tunes and greater quality control.
7/10
