Review: Mortal Prophets “The Twang Gang”
credit: Mortal Prophets
The Twang Gang opens in an illusive, cosmic dream. Disoriented slightly, filled with different layers of sounds. Mortal Prophets evokes an intense yet innocent sense of complexity. Confronting, at the same time stirring. But this is just the beginning of the story. The album would then swirl you into an eye-opening, genre-bending trip. What Mortal Prophets brings is an auditory cinema with fantastic and epic storytelling.
Onto the second track, the soundscapes get muddy and sci-fi. Silhouette of blues and roots comes to you in a psychedelic dream, where all the impossible becomes possible. It’s hard to pinpoint where we are and what is happening at this point, but the music immerses you in an extraordinary moment and solidifies as it progresses.
Soon, there comes a moment of groove-driven clarity. Now, it’s clear where we are—this is the Wild West, on the road riding past twangy, leathery country rock. Mortal Prophets, whose voice has been absent before, now emerges as a commander. He gives command to the music, and immediately, there’ll be a shift in the music. The format is not unheard of, but having gone through a very illusive sound state, this interesting twist almost gives the music consciousness.
“Pagan Driving School” gets its boots dirty. The very saucy root and country rock groove get richer and clearer, reaching momentum. It seems to put the previous tracks in perspective. Looking back, retrospectively, what we have just experienced might have been a stardust falling from a distant sky onto this planet. It’s immersed in the present and the culture, finding a special belonging. Everything beautiful and lively is here. The track acts as a pivotal element that continues to inspire and define what has yet to come.
“Can You Feel It” gazes into the stars and future again. “Ride Em High” sees a space cowboy taking off and venturing back into the illusive, slightly muddy, dream-like outer space. Nostalgia replaces the initial disorientation. It almost has a taste of bittersweetness with its established sense of identity. Departure doesn’t mean leaving something behind.
“Alamo Aloha” and “Dog Face Joe” step into a new universe, each feels like an exploration and adventure of its own. Already onto the next chapter, “Psychotronic Guitar Lullaby” takes you somewhere tender and warm with floral scents and such. “The Bones Go Last” sees collages of country impressions ringing in your ears.
