ISTHISMUSIC .REVIEW

Any record that styles itself utterly unselfconsciously as a concept album is to be applauded royally.

When said record is being performed by a band led by someone called Chemical Callum, it’s a fair assumption you’re in for a laugh riot. And so is the case here. With knobs on. The Way Which Can Be Named Is Not The Nameless Way – some title – may not be laughs in the comedy sense but it is so expansive, so…delightful, it’s hard not to smile very broadly indeed. The concept may be the opposite to that – it’s an almost apocalyptic state of the nation (and world) address, challenging us to open our eyes and engage with each other, see what is going on in these troubling times – but, it’s such a beautifully put together and accomplished record, well, one just has to waggle one’s toes and enjoy it.

As do a whole host of musical luminaries, when it comes to the band’s work. Being able to count Tom Waits, Slayer and Suzanne Vega as fans of your work is quite a spread. If they appreciate the ominous songwriting brilliance of the aforementioned Chemical Callum (Callum Peterkin) they demonstrate fine taste.

An album that almost did not appear due to an array of health issues one need not specify, it certainly demonstrates quite a breadth of ambition. ‘Metropolis’ comes across like a jaunty and slightly jazzy take on The Jesus And Mary Chain, believe it or not. Let that sink in. No way should that work. And yet, sleazily, it does. It has the moody sneer of the brothers Reid yet with an upbeat European spring in its step. It’s a new one on me, for sure.

The rest of the album features cascading pianos and ethereal, almost abstract vocals. Shackled to a lazy but hypnotic lilt and groove, it’s disquieting stuff, but beautiful in a glacial way. ‘Euphoric Agitation’ is positively threatening, even as it drifts by. One does get carried along on its voyage. Is it post-rock? Possibly. Perhaps even a bit shoegaze? Definitely elements of that. But, with its classical structuring, insistent riffs and substantial electronic elements, the whole album is unique, certainly to these ears.

Calling a track ‘And So On And So On And So On’ almost illustrates the vibe in title alone. Slightly repetitive, certainly long, does not immediately give anything obvious away. It doesn’t explain much, and the music itself doesn’t feel constrained to do so. It’s a shimmering, at times very introverted, always interesting trip. Vocal samples drift in and out, almost like The Orb on ‘Little Fluffy Clouds’. Appropriately these are provided by Tom the Noise Monger. It seems safe to say, this may be thoughtful and considered music but they sure don’t lack a sense of humour.

Left field and entirely excellent, strap yourself in and let this record drag you off in its entirety. To say it is accomplished sells it really rather short. From start to finish, The Way Which Can Be Named Is Not The Nameless Way is a very unusual, deeply emotive masterpiece of a record. Spectacular stuff.

The Way Which Can Be Named Is Not The Nameless Way

6. This Is My Feelings

Metropolis

01 More Unforgotten Friends 1

CHEMICAL CALLUMS Free the Weed..from upcoming new album THE SCOTTISH GYPO....

Aliens sent Tom the Noisemonger back from the future through an almost infinite regressional vortex to wander the earth smoking space weed and making strange noises for reasons yet to be made clear.  Recently he was abducted by Chemical Callum to make beats and sounds for his ongoing quest for the 13th note in and out of the mothership 'The Emotive Underground'.
However, things soon spiralled out of control as the pair had created a barely containable explosion of scientific sound.
Luckily for all, they had harnessed this immense power and now they are ready to fight the mighty sandworm..

7.The way which can be named is not the nameless way

6.The Citidel

5.Please don't judge what you don't understand

4.Minator

3.Insulin overdose

2.Absolutely everything

1.black n white blues

TRACK IN THE NAME OF THE LIBERATION OF A PLANT THAT NOT ONLY GIVES US THE VERY AIR WE BREATHE IT IS A GLORIOUS GIFT FROM THE GODS A FRUIT OF MOTHER EARTH HER NAME IS MARY JANE AKA MARAJUANA AKA WEED..

LYRICAL MESSAGE OF HOPE

STANED T THE BANE T THE BANE AM STANED KEN X 2

LIBERATE IT
REGULATE IT
EDUCATE IT
MEDICATE IT
JUST DONT HATE ON IT 
JUST RELATE TO IT
JUST TOKE IT UP AN FEEL ALRIGHT

MEDITATE ON IT
JUST CREATE ON IT
DICTATE THE FREEDOM OF IT
LETS ALL RELATE ON IT
JUST DONT HATE ON IT
JUST RELATE TO IT
JUST TOKE IT UP AND FEEL ALL RIGHT

Doag's Dub Oot..FREE THE F_K_N WEED

TRYPTAMINES

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