JAN BASTERS – Save & Run
|
|
Guilty Guitars was an indie rock from Northern Germany that released a couple of albums between 2005 and 2012. Guilty Guitars was or is also the band’s record label that later released a few EPs by Fuzzbride, another band that had one member in common with Guilty Guitars: Jan Basters. It may surprise that Jan Basters has decided to have his first solo album not issued on his own label. Instead, he went for the legendary noise rock label Fidel Bastro. And yet what he does on this album is neither noise rock nor does it have that much in common with his previous band. Although it might still be considered a logical development, as Guilty Guitars’ sound became more refined over time, finding its apotheosis in this stellar solo effort. This could be seen as a parallel to Talk Talk and Mark Hollis who also transcended expectations with every new record. Save & Run is a solo album, as it has mostly been recorded by Jan Basters himself, although there are a few musicians adding small parts here and there. The songs alternate between expansive long tracks and shorter tracks that are catchier and get quicker to the point. Jan Basters himself sounds like a David Bowie taken out of time. His voice perfectly fits the song material which has a very timeless quality. The opener All You Do is a nearly nine-minute-long melancholic track with a moving chorus, showing from the start that the guitar is no longer the main instrument, as the piano has just as much weight now. Despite its length, the song never overstays its welcome, but rather reminds me of Television who also could write ten-minute tracks without any hint of boredom. Set Me Free is the only track under three minutes, and adds a certain proto punk flair to its otherwise guitar driven mood. Boxed Memories is at seven minutes another long track that once again comes with lots of emotions. Strange Roads, despite its shorter length, begins quietly enough, like a ballad, before erupting with a heavy dose of pathos in its latter half. My favourite track is Deathrimental, the opener of the vinyl edition’s B-side. This long track features guitar drones, and a trippy acoustic guitar that draws parallels to early Amon Düül II. I could go on lauding the qualities of this extraordinary album, but it is probably better you listen for yourself. It is obvious that these songs have been brewing over quite some time within Jan Basters, and the time was finally right to record and release them. Save & Run is an exceptional album from a visionary artist that should appeal to a far wider array of people than just those familiar with his previous output. |
|
9 songs |
|
|
48:11 minutes |
|
|
***** **** |
|
|
Genre: indie rock / art rock Label: Fidel Bastro |
|
