"Super Roots 10"
(Commons)
six / ten
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BOREDOMS "Super Roots 10" (Commons)
six / ten |
There are two distinct, separate periods in the Boredoms' career: some fans prefer the early era of hyperactive, punk-inflected noisecore, whereas others swear exclusively by the later krautrock influenced, incredibly psychedelic and drum-driven Super Ae or Vision Creation Newsun albums. The Super Roots EP-series (hereby SR) came in between and charted the bands evolution, with only the amazing volume.7 really setting the world on fire on its own. With such drastic stylistic shifts in their sound over the years, they have understandably inspired a great deal of divisiveness amongst their followers.
However, this record will unite all Boredoms fans on one thing; desire for a proper new full length. Although as long as an album, this still feels fairly insubstantial. As fun as the SR series is, the only purpose it serves for the band is providing them the opportunity to refine and develop ideas for their next full-length. Similarly, the main appeal is that it often provides key clues as to what might lie ahead in the bandŐs future. Although this is only the second edition since they revived the series back in '07, Vol. 10 is no different from the rest - it still makes me feel teased and hungry.
Regarding the actual contents of the disc though, if they hint at their next album at all (which may never materialise, unless the band lift themselves from their unfortunately prolonged slump in productivity) I would be reasonably optimistic.
Even when criticising this series, it has to be said that the Boredoms are venerable sonic alchemists and everything they touch turns to mind-blowing gold to some extent. On SR 10, they offer up the kaleidoscopic 'Ant 10': nearly 10 minutes of the ecstatic, cyclical, tribal drumming penetrated by euphoric bursts of cosmic synths and shamanic chanting that is so characteristic of prime 'later' Boredoms.
We are then treated to 4 remixes of this song, the best of which is by Norwegian disco sensation Lindstrżm. I never would have envisioned this collaboration, but it is a genius pairing overall. That each remix varies so much from the original is one of the disc's greatest selling points. The problem is, even though 'Ant 10' is one of the best, most remix-worthy things the SR series has ever had to offer, no one needs to hear 45 minutes of it.
Ultimately, while this EP is not without its merits or flashes of sheer brilliance, it's seriously frustrating for longtime fans of the band that they don't just focus their energies on something more rewarding and fully realized. They have shown before the brilliance they are capable of when they set their mind on an LP, and now it's time they prove themselves again.
Keefe Murphy
www.boredoms.jp
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