The Mob's New Plan Compilation
---------------------------------------
High Beam
VARIOUS ARTISTS
THE MOB'S NEW PLAN
(WATER DRAGON)
Review by Jeb Taylor
Compilations seem to be in abundance at this point in time in the "stoner" world but this one rates up there with the best for a few reasons.One being it features two tracks from each band, two being it is exposing the up and coming bands of the scene rather than follow the beaten track and finally all the bands on here are quite original and have their own unique edge.
The Satellite Circle are up first, with two tracks off their demo reviewed previously in High Beam.Just to refresh readers and fill in the late comers, these guys from Sweden play a sludgey brand of classic seventies rock and do it very well.
Zerocharisma represent Finland on the CD with their brand of hard edge, full throttle rock.The guys are soon set to release a CD on Monster Zero which should be huge and these two tracks are a great sample of what to expect.
Lovercraft are a personal favorite of mine, in fact they were probably in my top three new bands of '99.Hailing from Spain they play a tripped out brand of psychedelic garage rock and do it very well with the members musical experience really shining through.Look for big things from this band in the future.
500 Ft Of Pipe are the only band on here that I had not heard and they definitely do not disappoint, raw vocals backed with groovy riffs and thumping rhythms are the order of the day.I'm sure this won't be the last I hear from these Detroit boys.
Twin Earth who are reviewed elsewhere in this issue are up next with tracks that are off their old demo which is still a fine piece of fuzzed out groove rock.As the name suggests they are along similar lines to early Monster Magnet.
Blackrock come at us from the UK and deliver us two very polished pieces of raw, heavy groove rock, you can definitely expect these guys to continue on the proud UK tradition created by Orange Goblin, Acrimony and others.
Ufomammut are from Italy and seem to be popping up all over the place lately whether it be with compilation tracks or members that can do really cool artwork but the reason they keep appearing is simple, they are very cool.Psychedelic doom is what they do and I feel it is some of the more original stuff around at the moment so bring on the new album.
Abdullah round out proceedings with their psychotic brand of doom.The two tracks here are taken off their Snake Lore CD which we featured a review of recently in High Beam and which will be released soon on Rage Of Achilles.
Well you should be able to gather by now this is awesome CD, well put together, great cover design and layout that is backed with excellent tunes.Well done to Water Dragon and all the bands involved.
9/10
High Beam
---------------------------------------
www.stonerrock.com
The Mob's New Plan (Soundtrack) - Compilation
Review by: Dan Beland (StonerRock.com)
If you've followed the last few releases from Water Dragon Records you will notice some similarities.. Most noteably; the artwork on their releases, as well as their website follows a consistent theme.. Sort of a melding of imagery from old black and white spy movies with modern design techniques and filter effects. This consistent theme successfully creates an continuance from release to release and this is actually the meaning behind the "Soundtrack" claim on this release. It's not actually a soundtrack to a movie, or anything physical for that matter. It's the soundtrack to the Water Dragon Records philosophies. Which I think is just plain cool! It shows that Water Dragon Records really cares about the product that they release to the public.
The Mob's New Plan is quite simply an excellent, well thought out and easy to listen to compilation. It's obvious that it was compiled as a labour of love and not as a "money maker". Besides the artwork, another unique thing (as far as I know?) is that there are two songs from each band, instead of just one. Which means you get to hear more music from each band, thus giving you more substance to base your impressions on. Which is the point of a compilation is it not? To give you the opportunity to check out several new bands without having to purchase an entire CD from each band. Having two songs from each band just makes this process more effective.
Yeah cut through the bullshit Dan! So what!? It's got cool artwork, a groovy concept and two songs from each band.. But what's the music like???
Well.. I'm glad you asked.. Because there is absolutely no disappointment as far as the music is concerned either.. This "Soundtrack" is 16 songs of pure, fuzzed out, heavy psychedelia by 8 bands that know how to write pure, fuzzed out, heavy psychedelic songs! The common elements between all of the bands on this album are the shared influences of Hawkwind, Monster Magnet, The Desert Sessions and Black Sabbath.. From start to finish it is a very consistent listening experience with each song flowing smoothly into the next through straight up, heavy rock ala Zerocharisma into abstract, spaced out Hawkwind type interludes ala Lovercraft & Ufomammut into eerie cosmic doom ala Abdullah.
While the Mob's New Plan does touch briefly on most aspects of the Stoner Rock genre I recommend it mostly to fans of the more spacey and smooth psychedelic styles. If smoking a big fatty and relaxing to the heavy grooves of Kyuss, old Monster Magnet, Hawkwind or Red Giant sounds like your kind of +good time+ then this "Soundtrack" will be a wise purchase. If groovy psychedelia or smooth desert rock isn't your bag then this compilation probably ain't you+re thing.. On the other hand if you're just into checking out original and creative new music from new rock bands then this is a must. It's the bands that I've never had the pleasure of listening to that made this album such a treat for me. Twin Earth, 500 Ft. of Pipe, Blackrock, Lovercraft and especially the Satellite Circle are now high on my list of bands that I must obtain more music from!!
And finally, if you're still sitting on the fence, here is the entire track listing for your decision making convenience:
The Satellite Circle
-Reconcile
-At the End of the Day
Zerocharisma
-Again
-Hate to Feel
Lovercraft
-Mushroom
-Welcome
500 Ft. of Pipe
-Marshmellow
-The Chronic Argonauts
Twin Earth
-Eroticon VI
-Handout
BlackRock
-BlackRock
-Stallion
Ufomammut
-Smoke (Connie version)
-Mustang 69
Abdullah
-Firmament
-The Black Ones
Notes: Most songs are of a high quality demo recording quality, they are a little bit muddy, but nothing too serious. It's not high end production but I wouldn't let that stop you from purchasing this gem.. And the two songs from Abdullah are the same versions as available on the Snake Lore demo.
Stonerrock.com
---------------------------------------
Metal Hammer
June 2000, 9/10
MASQUERADING as a "soundtrack" album, this is, in actuality, a compilation of eight cool-to-drool stoner, psychedelic and doom bands from accross Europe and the US. And there's not a duffer here. Sweden's Satellite Circle and Spain's Lovercraft offer up trippy, space rock. Finland's Zerocharisma go for a fuzzed-out sound. There are the doom canticles of Italy's Ufomammut and America's Abdullah, the druggie frippery of Detroit's 500 Ft of Pipe, the 70's retro-activity of Sweden's Twin Earth and Britain's own BlackRock... and everyone's a total winner.
Simply Magnificent.
---------------------------------------
Daredevil E-zine
May 2000
Review by Jochen
Ok, the music. 8 bands with each 2 songs are on that CD. The sound is great and the artwork too.
The Satellite Circle gave us two great and relaxed 70s inspired Stoner Rock songs. The songs were recorded in July 1999 and sounding very cool! Great band and great songs. One of the highlights!!! (reconcile and at the end of the day)
Zerocharism are good too. But I like The satellite circle more. Why? The band produced great songs, but I don`t like the vocals so much. But really not bad! (again and hate to feel)
Lovercraft are cool. But I like the vocals not so much......they sound very weird. But on the other side they fit good to the rest. But not my style. And the songs are partly to boring.... (mushroom and welcome).
500 Ft. Of Pipe are next. And welcome back in my CD-player...kings of Rock! They kick ass and they rule! You don`t know them? Hurry up and check them out!!! Great groovy Stoner Rock (marshmallow and the chronic argonauts).
Twin Earth rules too!!! If you know there Demotape, you know what I`m talking about. Fantastic Stoner rock with great vocals - KILLER !!!! (eroticon VI and handout)
Black Rock is ok. 70s influenced Rock with some Stoner Rock moments and a good singer. But the songs don`t kicks ass as others do on that CD. Sorry, but good too.... (black rock and stallion)
Ufomammut are cool. They intecrate a lot of outer space sounds and that makes the music outstanding. But the singer/vocals are not so cool. Not my style. Great music with interesting sound – effects , but it�s not my man behind the microphone.... (smoke and mustang 69)
Abdullah rules. Their CD was on some magazines the top-title and if you listen to Abdullah, you will know why.....Bombastic Stoner / Doom Rock! (firmament and the black ones)
Ok, I hope I will see someday that movie. And the soundtrack to them is really cool. Really one of the best compilations I heard so far......
Daredevil E-zine
---------------------------------------
Monstermag E-zine
The Mob's New Plan
Soundtrack
Water Dragon Records - 2000 - 74:12
Review by Mark
Soundtracks or Sampler are a thing of its own. One or two good songs, and the rest is middleclass or bad. The Mobs new plan does not match this criteria. Each of the eight Bands present two songs , with absolutely no weak points. But that's no wonder if you take only Stoner and Doombands for a soundtrack. The CD is released from the young and promising French Label Water Dragon Records, where you can also order the CD.
With such a low price and 74 minutes playing time, there are no questions to ask. Go and buy this CD
Monstermag E-zine
---------------------------------------
Zoopa Loop E-zine
The Mob's New Plan
Review by Renaud
The water dragon records' team decide to speed up their activity, and from their smokin' baskets come eight bands with two songs for each band. First of the eight bands, the swedish Satellite circle play a big rock as Fu manchu meets Trouble with a mammoth bass. they are now signed on rage of achilles. Zerocharisma is more fuzzy on the guitar's sound, their two songs are direct as a fist in your face, just the time to bang your head. For me the big discovery is Lovercraft, The spanish guys are incredible following the way of a heavy Hawkwind full of distortion on the vocals. I hope to hear more than these two fuckin' songs in the future. The road is enlightened for them. 500ft of pipe from detroit shakes earth with a high volume rock as only Detroit gave birth. The bass is replaced by keyboards, no shitty melodies just heavy as a elephant ride. The music of Twin earth is for me a bit in the same way than zerocharisma but the singer is more melodic that gave a strange feeling. BlackRock seems so near of unida, like twin brothers. sean, the singer, could be a clone of John garcia, the music is good but it's not my favorite band on this record.I want to hear more to get a better vision of their music. italian doomsters of Ufomammut, on their two songs give the impression that Electric wizard decide to accelerate a bit their way to play but we find the same dirty sound. Abdullah ends the record with a mix of Kyuss for the melodic parts and Cathedral for the heavy parts. Good promising band. This Cd gives the opportunity to discover eight young bands whose several could be the leaders of this growing stage in 4 or 5 years.
A big thank you to water dragon records for this compilation and see the mob back from hell soon !!!
Zoopa Loop E-zine
---------------------------------------
Psychedelic Zine
Volume 7
THE MOB�S NEW PLAN : soundtrack CD on Water Dragon Records 2000
Mob�s New Plan is an ideal solution for compilation albums, as it features six bands with two tracks each. It�s my first time with The Satellite Circle. Their songs convinced me, thick doom riffs, a low bass, melodious vocals, I only miss some originality. Zerocharisma, with faster stoner rock is okay too. Lovercraft�s songs are too mediocre, they�re nothing for me. 500Ft Of Pipe play very energetic in the vein of Archie Bunker/Sixty Watt Shaman, it�s not bad, but they still have to take lessons. We already praised Twin Earth a lot, so they didn�t cause any disappointment. Black Rock�s tracks are full of promise, in a few years they can be a huge band. Ufomammut�s music is different, but I liked it : rough, slow, full with samplers and with a Ministry like vocal, great ! I would love to hear their debut ! Abdullah finish the CD with two songs full of fine melodies and with a grunge like voice. They seem to be a very outstanding band. I would like to listen to longer stuffs of the featured bands to decide, if they are able to present full of good songs on a full length CD. I�m not sure, they can do so, but they can disprove me ! (GA)
Psychedelic Fanzine
---------------------------------------
Stoned Gods
The Mob's New Plan Soundtrack
2000 Water Dragon Records
This new label from Paris has realized a very good compilation of 8 space trippers bands from all the wide world. This record is presented as a soundtrack and has got a great cover design realized with a lot of references to some great seventies b-movies. The soundtrack starts with the heavy space power trio called The Satellite Circle, with his visionary space rock and the screaming stoner vocals by the drummer Jonas; a really good beginning that lead to the stoner rock n' roll of Again, the first song presented here by Zerocharisma. A good stoner n'roll, followed by Hate To Feel, a quite short stoner track. The third band involved in the movie are the great Lovercraft: I like very much their strong sound combined with a lot of effects and filtered voices, it's really visionary and very trippin'. Both songs are good examples of heavy psych rock and the vocals lines of second one, Welcome, remember be some Morrison echoes. 500 ft. Of Pipe are a strong original combo, probably one of the most various of the compilation, with many instrumental and lyric changes. Are rightly defined by Water Dragon as "drugrock form Detroit City" and I have to admit that I love the floydian melodic chorus sang on the strong basements of Marshamllow! Twin Erath confirm their great stoner fame, with two songs that take the old blues rules and treat them with a lot of hard guitars and pulsing rhythms. Blackrock, from England, are a new band for me, I never listen them before, but they sound heavy and stoned enough to make me feel a space tripper. From Italy arrived Ufomammuth, a special band for Stoned Gods, we really love their incredible trips and here you have two example of what I mean when I say that I'm floatin' in a strange, beautiful nightmare, with a lot of little green men jumpin' all around... Abdullah it's a two men band from USA, just guitar and drums, that realized a kind of really interesting psych doom. Really effective the slow desert rock of Firmament, a dreaming episode pictured by liquid guitars and melodic vocals.
Water Dragon have found in this 8 bands a little treasure for all the stoner fans, that show many wonderful aspects of the heavy psych planet. Try to discover this record and take a look at http://welcome.to/water_dragon for all the news about it.
Ratings:
Groove: 4/5
Psychedelia: 4/5
Heavyness: 4/5
Originality: 3/5
Overall Rating: 4/5
Stoned Gods