Bigelf-Cheat the gallows

Custard
2008

The number of bands that sound like 70's hard rock and rock seems to have almost doubled in the last year or two. LA's Bigelf follow-up to their 2007 release "Hex" isn't exactly what I expected, but it's actually brighter and they are certainly more talented than I had figured. Many of today's bands that lean toward 70's influences tend to lean towards a stripped down sound. However the opener "Greatest show on earth" lets us all know that Bigelf embrace the grand theatrical approach of 70's act such as Queen and David Bowie. Not all of the other tracks as large in stature, but they largely continue with a heady mix that brings in both strong melodies, memorable vocals but also quirky and often times unexpected passages as well. Along with Queen and Bowie I also heard some Pink Floyd and Beatles, but then just when I thought that I heard everything they had in their trick bag they would reach down and pull out a heavy riff or melody line that reminded me of classic Sabbath or early Pentagram. In the 70's those bands were a little removed from each other style wise yet these guys bring the two sounds together as if they were always intended to work together. The songs are just rich with so many sounds and stuffed with ideas that are mostly fleshed out yet somehow it all sounds very natural. Just as important as the sound is the delivery and listening to Bigelf is probably similar to loading yourself up on cotton candy and then going on a rollercoaster because this album is like a great big hazy, self-indulgent ride that will still be in your mind long after it ends.

http://www.myspace.com/bigelf