Dusted Reviews
Artist: Talibam! Album: Ordination of the Globetrotting Conscripts Label: Azul Discográfica Review date: Aug. 30, 2007 |
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Talibam! dance back and forth across the line of party starting and room clearing, and do so with all available middle fingers held mightily aloft. As New York City’s soon-to-be-iconic purveyors of “shitstorm skronk,” Talibam!’s totally irreverent destructo-jazz/improv was first heard on a series of mythically regarded CD-Rs, and through the group’s near ceaseless touring activities. This is the band’s first proper release, and in lieu of bearing the expected influence of Sun Ra’s Arkestra or mid-'70s Captain Beefheart, Ordination... is a brain-rattling demolition of the entire avant lesson plan, as those with a more academic criteria might be inclined to teach it.
The lead-off title track is the living embodiment of a strong come-on, and blares forth with the same kind of attention-grabbing impudence as Minor Threat’s “Filler.” The next 20 minutes of ass-over-backwards musical turmoil further cements the brutality with more, dare I say, nuance, including some stylishly incorporated African polyrhythms, and ear-buzzing electronics.
The ringing harmonics of “Lunch Break at Naan” definitely serves as the album’s milemarker, however, and said track proceeds to a level of dementia which curiously summons a listener’s desire (well, my desire) to belt out Hasil Adkins-worthy screams during the breakdown.
Not too many bands with Talibam!’s kind of credentials inspire moments of such expository appreciation, but I count it as just another reason to thank whichever god you tremble in the face of for these mightiest of messengers. My early bid for art-damaged dance record of the year.
By Mike Lupica
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