I’ve not long finished listening to the new Medicine Men
track In the Breeze for what can’t be
too far away from the twentieth time. It
is now time to try and put words to this wonderful experience that will do it
justice.
The first thing
to comment on is how director Jonathan Magowan has set the scene. There is a distinct semblance of tranquillity
to the vibrant woodland surroundings, and it is here where we meet the pale and
alluring Rachel Menzies, who, unbeknownst to her, will soon begin a journey of
discovery driven by the Psyche / Dance machine that is Medicine Men.
It leads in with
the watery god like riff from Ian Mackinnon’s Organizer pedal; the tones
proffered could easily be an offering to Poseidon himself, but it’s the
introduction of the bands exciting and exceptionally clever rhythmic parts that
start to bring the song to life: thick
and thunderous bass lines, a brisk and shoulder-popping drum tempo which allows
the Hammond Organ to warmly weave between both.
The band stand
before a graffiti stained, dilapidated pillared mansion, and are the picture of
quintessential cool. When Mackinnon
bellows out “Youth is on your side from the man at the top / Don’t get on that
wheel cos you work till you drop” we see the wandering, exploring gaze of
Menzies as she gently moves through the forest; it is from here that I am
hauntingly hooked.
Emphatically
singing “Your star won’t sleep in the shadows / Not time for me but it’s time
for you”, Mackinnon and in turn, Magowan take us to a dark ritualistic scene
that is steeped in pagan symbolism.
The subtle
musical phrases provide beautiful counterpoints to the composition that soon
build as Ian Stroud – portraying the devil – offers, at first, the classic
forbidden fruit and then appealingly, the more modern sin; money.
Breaking down,
the final scenes are signalled with minimal ambience, especially with the fine
resonant hits on the bell of the cymbal which lead back into the steadfast
groove that’s been prominent throughout.
The closing
vocals are emphatic, the music becomes almost rapturous, there is no hope or
escape for our fair maiden; the apple was consumed and with it, a realization
settles on her that there never was any hope; not in the classic context anyway.
Mackinnon punches home hard with the
final lyric “If I see you in the gallows / Long time no see, but it’s fine for
me” to ensure there is no doubt in this.
It has been a
very long time since I’ve listened to a single track on repeat for a full
weekend. This truly does have everything
I want from a song and it was very near impossible to write a review as quite
frankly, I couldn’t sit still. The
music, the structure, the transitions and linkages between sections and
Mackinnon’s profound lyrics are echoed perfectly against the dark themes of
Magowan’s vision; easily one of the best Sunday’s I’ve had for a while…what an
absolute pleasure to write.
In the Breeze is released on the 11th
of November 2016 via Neon Tetra Records and will feature on Medicine Men’s
debut album which is due for release in spring 2017.
Their next gigs to promote In the Breeze are as follows:
Sat 26th November – Edinburgh, Voodoo Rooms
I categorically implore you all too at least make one of
these gigs.
Tomas Bird – Oct 2016
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