Artist: BigBang
Album: Edendale
Worth Buying: Yes
You will be interested in this album if you are a fan of: My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young & Crazy Horse.
Tell Me More: For those who argue that ‘00s rock doesn’t have the emotional weight or resonance of classic work from the likes of Cream, the Who and Led Zeppelin, there is an unlikely trio from Norway that has smashed that theory into bits.
Since catching BigBang live at the NAMM music trade show in Anaheim on Jan. 15, 2010, and then getting a copy of the band’s “Edendale” album a couple of days later, I have been fully impressed by the sound, power and musical personality of singer-songwriter-guitarist Oystein Greni, drummer Olaf Olsen and bassist Nikolai Eilertsen.
The 13-track disc finds the trio exploring a vast range of moods and textures with a sterling collection of original songs. From the post-punk ‘80s thrust of “Call Me” to the haunting classic rock-styled “Isabel” and Crosby, Stills & Nash vibe of “Wild Bird,” there is a timeless sound displayed across “Edendale” even as Greni’s strong vocals and blazing guitar work at once recall more contemporary heroes such as Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis and Hüsker Dü’s Bob Mould (his fretwork evokes Neil Young’s lead guitar work on “Now is Not a Good Time”). However, the gentler guitar textures on “Freeway Flowers” blend with his authentic vocals in a way that defies such easy comparisons with BigBang’s heroes – be they out of last century or this one.
Robert Kinsler 2010
What about the packaging? I only have the promotional advance of the disc, so can’t comment on the commercial package.
Get Edendale on CD
Get it for less on mp3
also on vinyl
What if I am not ready to download the whole album? Try : “Isabel,” “Play Louder,” and “Wild Bird.”
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