The Discordian Society‘s new album, Primordial Soup is, like its name suggests, a true sonic melange, simmering genres, styles, influences and sounds for an end result that’s a bit too technical and orchestrated to be full-on jam, a bit to loose to be jazz and a bit too exploratory to be considered straight-forward rock.
“Don’t take take your life so serious,” advises the nearly 13-minute “Figments,” a heady experiment that wends its way between philosophical musings, breezy, horn-filled melodies and pulsing psychedelia. But, despite the lyrical suggestion to abandon levity, the listener gets the sense that Discordian Society takes itself pretty seriously. At least when it comes to musicianship
Each song follows a loose structure of movements that range from trippy Doors-like cosmic rock and more reflective, harmonious mellow jazz. And, of course, there are variations and departures from that theme. “Ideas” features an especially groovy keyboard break; “They Make Fun” begins with a sweet melody reminiscent of The Rolling Stones’ “Ruby Tuesday,” it’s delicate peals at odds with the absurdist lyrics (here is where the Discordian Society does do away with serious subject matter) about a bald guy.
Where Discordian Society seems to hits its stride is on the rhythmic, driving jams, moving effortlessly between time signature and key changes as in “I, We, You.” But for all the skill and care to be found on Primordial Soup, it’s pretty certain that where Discordian Society is most at home is on the stage. So, listen to the record and then catch the band in the flesh. They play the Boiler Room (11 Grove St., Asheville, 505-1612) on Wednesday, April 14. Find more live shows at DiscordianMusic.com.
—Alli Marshall, A&E reporter
Awesome review! Thanks so much to Alli Marshall and Mountain Xpress!