VON GARCIA
"I Think a Think" (Sluggo's
Goon; 2008)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
Damon Trotta (At War with Self) and James von Beulow have created
Von Garcia as the centerpiece of the nascent Sluggo’s Goon label. Von Beulow wrote the
material which was later reorganized, edited, and reconstructed by Trotta. The final touches were added by guest musicians who had free
reign to add whatever they felt like. Ultimately, Trotta and von Beulow viewed
“I Think a Think” as a companion piece to At War with Self’s “Acts of God.”
“I Think a Think” is designed to typify the Sluggo’s Goon label motto: music bound by a lack of boundaries. A few listens bears out that “I
Think a Think” is experimental, ambient, mellow, noisy, daring, and entirely of its own DNA.
“I Think a Think” features elements of rock, jazz, funk, and world music blended together
into a soundscape of endless variety. Reference points for Rough Edge readers would be supergroup
Gordian Knot without some of the technical aspects and King Crimson’s more ambient phases.
The lead guitar work (sort of) reminds me of David Gilmour even though it is performed (at times) by four different guitar players. The bass and
keyboard work moves, shimmies, slides, and morphs into evolving shapes and moods. Vocals on
“I Think a Think” are sparse, but important.
“I Think a Think” is a journey that should appeal to fans of good music.
“I Think a Think” is an album that will probably fly under the proverbial radar, but deserves
much more.
“I Think a Think” was produced by Damon Trotta and James von Beulow.
Von Garcia: James von Beulow on guitar, keyboards, and vocals, Damon Trotta on bass, drums, percussion, and programming, Steve Decker on drums,
Sunshine on vocals, Glenn Snelwar on guitar and mandolin, Pete Teresi on guitar, and Ben Mowder on guitar.
For more information visit http://www.myspace.com/vongarcia
or http://www.sluggosmusic.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2008 by R. Scott Bolton. All
rights reserved.
Revised: 01 Apr 2024 10:34:43 -0500
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