Lespecial - Ancient Homies

Lespecial - Ancient Homies 

My first blog review is of Ancient Homies, the third album release by Lespecial, a power trio hailing from Millerton, NY. I discovered this band a few years ago and have had a couple of their songs from previous albums on regular repeat. The thing that excites me most about these guys is how they mesh so many styles together in an experimental way and succeed brilliantly in doing so. When I saw they released a new album I of course dove right in, eager to hear what they've created and let me tell you, it's a musical journey! 

The opening track Snell's Feet is a journey in itself, starting off with the feeling like you're entering a sci fi realm. It proceeds to pick up pace and reminds me of being in the throws of a video game, no doubt letting your mind paint a picture of what kind of story you're in, but I definitely envision aliens and a monster needing to be defeated. 

The next track The Vessel has a Nine Inch Nails vibe but with a futuristic twist, and a path to discovery. It seems as though we are leaving earth as the lyric tells us "This vessel takes us to another realm". Buckle up, we're on our way!

 Homie Numero Uno, the first interlude on the album makes me envision a digital wave and sets the tone for the next track Repeater. I can hear lots of Radiohead influence on this one but as though it's taken to the future and intertwined with some modern indie rock.

On to Tonberry, my favorite track off the album. Take out your sword, leave your fears behind you,  we're here and ready! The slapping bass and chugging guitar riffs lead us to a totally danceable heavy head banging groove, the rhythm keeping you on your toes and feeling powerful. Slay the beast! and watch out behind you, you never know what could be lurking in the shadows.

The second interlude feels like a bit of a breather, might be a good time to grab a drink. 

Machine Elf is one of the non-instrumental tracks on the album and I really dig the vocals. They tell us we did what needed to be done but always beware of creatures that may rise out of the ashes. "It's the feeling that we're being watched...." 

Egg time is real experimental, and does nothing special for me personally. The rhythm doesn't change much, it has some cool effects, might take some more listening to, or perhaps seeing it live and warped into some cool jams would do more for me.  

We have a third interlude then leading us into Boundary Dissolution which takes things down a notch, but in a satisfying way. I just love the vocal tone here, sweet, vibey and the yummy bass groove is warming to the soul. 

Tritome ends the album with eerie piano, and a feeling of having conquered something, but I can't help but be left with the notion that there is still more to be discovered, and with that Lespecial leaves me wanting more. After first listen I immediately put the album on again and I suspect, like with many of my favorite bands, the album will unearth something new each listen, and for that I have much respect for bands like this that think and write outside the box. 

Upon reading more into the album  from this powerful trio, I discovered that the number 3 plays a numerical theme throughout it. There are 3 interludes, and non-typical western scaling, with small chromatic groupings of 3 notes. It rounds out this mystical cryptic tale the band is telling, and I highly recommend anyone with a taste for musical discovery and story telling enter into this journey with an open ear and mind. 

You can find their album on all streaming platforms and for sale through their website: http://lespecial.net/music/3-2/

Enjoy and let me know what you think if you embark on this journey!