The blurb accompanying the album said that Richmond wanted the album to be “a kind of surreal, somewhat nonsensical, little bit scary trip” and I think he succeeded very finely. That’s right, Love Tractor have succeeded finely. Meet the new model, just as good as the old model, albeit different. Richmond had to recruit a new band since the other original members didn’t want to do anything anymore. Some of the best Athens players are on board; Tom Lewis (Allman Brothers, Gov’t Mule, VOL), Billy Holmes (Uncle Tupelo, VOL), Ben Holst (Avenues, Velure) and Darren Staley (Squat). It’s a ride into some harder edged grooves than the ‘80’s band ever recorded with a copious dose of psychedelia also thrown in.
The tougher sound is right from the start on “Georgia Rain’ with the new heaviness lightened by some deft Rhodes organ flourishes. Billy Holmes brings out something called worm guitar for the prog rock “Another One” while “Epidemic” recalls the old Love Tractor style well. There may be no pristine pop on this CD, but “Knives And Guns” reminds me of mid-period Meat Puppets with its muscular swagger. “Black Hole” boasts FMM flavor; flute, mellotron, and moog. The real psychedelic standout is “Electric Chair”; it has soundtrack overtones along with electric ambient crackles like a shorted wire – truly weird and spooky. Richmond cops a Robert Pollard vocal sound for “Queen Of The Cesspool” that would impress the most cynical Guided By Voices fan. The only real misstep is on the musically tame, “Wizards In The Sky” due to lyrics that sound like they written after too many Dungeons & Dragons games. It has stone age demons, wizards, demons dropping bombs, dragons, and labyrinths. I expected a miniature Stonehenge monument to descend from the sky at any moment. Maybe the dropping bombs line is a sly reference to “You Dropped A Bomb On Me” by The Gap Band.
So memory and desire collided with Love Tractor and a bumper crop was harvested. Black Hole was a pleasant surprise and proof that an old group can learn new tricks without losing any of the inventiveness and artistic bravery of the past. Now I can’t wait for the next McCartney album.
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
now this is one of those bands that when i see one of their records, i think, "man, that is a fricken cool band name".
then i don't buy the record.
maybe i should change that.
2 - wallybangs
Love Tractor are a very unique group, lots of styles present. I'd recommend This Ain't No Outer Space Ship for starters and Black Hole for those who would rather listen to King Crimson instead of the Beatles.
3 - Mark Saleski
i'll check 'em out.
i'm going on vacation next week...time to visit a few record stores.
4 - mike hollihan
One of my all-time favorite songs is the Love Tractor version of Kraftwerk's "Neon Lights." Instead of cool electronics, you get layers of dense, psychedelic guitar. I play this for friends and it always blows their minds when the vocalist starts singing "Neon lights, pretty little neon lights...." Sublime.
5 - Tim White
Wally!
You totally got it! Just like I did when I first heard the record! It's funny (and sad), but I've been getting flack from all sides about this record - because it's not like their first or third, etc. Isn't that funny? Nobody complains about Fleetwood Mac or Genesis or Piccaso like they've complained about Love Tractor. To me, Black Hole is another obvious progression in a band concept that has gone into many directions. Thanks for the great review.
6 - wallybangs
Thanks for the compliment Tim. I was oh so totally prepared to dislike Black Hole. I had the disparaging review already written in my head, but the album was really cool. The one's complaining about Love Tractor just want to relive the past, period.
7 - carmen
to put opinions briefly, it is a great album - particularly if it reflects the screwed up contractive times that negates human components calling for attention. i want to add, the lyrics "my mickey mouse flag waves bye bye, and i can't stand it" from this ain't no outer space ship, are hereby personally as perceived good, as in worth a strong song.
8 - greedydog
It's a Mickey Mouse watch...not a flag.
9 - carmen
watch makes more sense
10 - Noize9
Hello everyone. I've enjoyed Love Tractor for a very long time -- now my kids do. Fogey comments aside, this is a band that gets it and it comes through. Black Hole is interesting; caught on the third listen. Keep it up guys. You transcend the clutter and crap falling all around you. Depth of The Church, but you don't have to try half as hard. (and I do love The Church, but my kids don't. :-) )
11 - nathan collins
Love Tractor's Black Hole was amazing, but wait until you hear the new stuff!!! I heard some "rough" mixes last night, and I promise you'll beg for more when you hear 'em as well.
peace & pills,
12 - carmen
well, i would like to hear the new stuff! i am used to waiting. here is something for the guy who wears the led zep shirt in the love t's photos:
http://users3.ev1.net/~darktomb/valhalla/
some might find this déclassé (don't count on the accents being grammatically correct)