IN REVIEW: Gone Is Gone - "Echolocation"

Following an introductory EP last summer, the debut LP from supergroup Gone Is Gone (Mastodon's Troy Sanders, At the Drive-In's Tony Hajjar and QOTSA/A Perfect Circle guitarist Troy van Leeuwen) expands the palette of that short sampler, incorporating spacier vibes, darker grooves and trickier rhythms. The album does drag on through certain stretches though, getting a bit bogged down tempo-wise, and I can't help but think a few tracks could have been swapped out for the previous EP's highlights (there isn't anything, for example, as primal and invigorating as Violescent).

Still, the quality of the players involved ensures that Echolocation is no mere tossed off collection of tunes; and, while it's perhaps not as energetic or vibrant as it could have been, it does pack its fair share of winners. If atmosphere gets you off, there's plenty here and, as a means by which to tide fans of all four parent bands over (all four of which, barring delays, should be releasing albums later this year), Echolocation more or less does the job.

January 6, 2017 • Rise
Highlights Gift • Dublin • Pawns

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