FROM BLITZ MAGAZINES WEB SITE: THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME By Michael McDowell CDs - NEW RELEASES WaS - The Electric Prunes.jpg WAS - The Electric Prunes (Prune Twang) As was the case with Pink Floyd’s The Endless River album, there was some question at the onset as to whether this most recent Electric Prunes release should be classified as new or archival material. For while it does include the participation of the band’s late co-founder and bassist Mark Shalom Tulin (who tragically passed away suddenly from a heart attack in Avalon, California in February 2011), it nonetheless is based on ideas and projects that Tulin, co-founder and front man James Lowe and the band were working on at the time of Tulin’s untimely home going that were ultimately brought to fruition by the surviving members. WaS is among the most cohesive of the Electric Prunes’ numerous recent releases, featuring as it does primarily original material that takes a more matter of fact approach than that which was indigenous to such nonetheless engaging efforts as Feedback, California and Artifact. Herein, bells, whistles and effects are, while not entirely sidetracked, kept to a relative minimum. In the process, Lowe’s strengths as both lyricist and vocalist are more pronounced, adding a welcome element of increased universality into the mix in the process. Some of the material herein addresses the familiar tale of life on the road, as evidenced in Tokyo and Frozen Winter. Given the band’s extensive touring schedule over the past decade, such subject matter is inevitable, although theirs is in many respects a unique perspective. Another recurring theme is the perceived dichotomy between the band’s mission statement and the limited perception of same within certain factions of their audience. Lowe endeavors to reconcile both camps in the lighthearted Like Getting High, but takes a tougher stance elsewhere. To that effect, Hollywood Hype takes the basic template of Michael Nesmith’s Cruisin’ (Pacific Arts PAC45-108) and makes as cohesive a case for creative autonomy therein as could be expected. Happily, WaS also offers a rare opportunity to hear the band’s classic line up (Lowe and Tulin, plus founding lead guitarist Ken Williams and drummer Quint) in a live rendition of Chester “Howlin’ Wolf” Burnett’s 1956 signature track, Smokestack Lightning (Chess 1618) that was recorded in 2000. Health concerns have largely precluded Williams’ participation in band activities in recent years, and once again long time colleague Steve Kara has assumed lead guitar responsibilities for this collection. And as always, Lowes wife, veteran photojournalist Pamela Lowe has provided state of the art imagery of the band in action. All told, WaS is yet another triumph in an impeccable legacy. Based on the evidence at hand, it is readily apparent as to why the often expressed Adoration Stuck to them, enabling the band to persevere Between The Cracks and beyond for nearly a half century.
Posted on: Sat, 03 Jan 2015 15:42:43 +0000
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