Master Musicians of Bukkake - Far West - LP/CD - WHITE VINYL
Master Musicians of Bukkake - Far West - LP/CD - WHITE VINYL
Couldn't load pickup availability
Share
"Go west, young man." ~ Horace Greeley
On Far West, the Master Musicians of Bukkake mark a turn from their Totem Trilogy. If the Totems were an expression of yang energy, then the Far West cycle is the yin that took seed within the trilogy. What happens when you travel so far East looking for enlightenment that you pass your destination and are headed West again? The mania of being lost in the mountains of the Cascade Corridor, searching aimlessly for the Northern Pacific coast. A spiritual Donner party of sorts, feeding off fantasy and mirages and imaginary shamans. Far West is the soundtrack to this expedition to the caves of light we all travel into with hopes of acquiring redemption, only to realize our bodies have dissolved - gone like rain from the sky, snow from the ground, thoughts from the mind. The sound of Far West is a progressive folk record inspired by Paul Giovanni's Wicker Man soundtrack, early Canterbury prog folk, the suspenseful soundtracks of Goblin and Ennio Morricone, Gerry Goldsmith's interwoven dark orchestrations, and Pacific Northwest folk rock. The Master Musicians of Bukkake take an earthly and shamanistic approach to these influences and infuse it with Krautrock pulses interweaved with acoustic guitars, intricately layered rhythms, hazed-out modular analog synths, brassy stabs, and cultish choirs. A true psychedelic, audiophile experience to dissolve your body in.
Far West also features backing vocals by Sub Pop! recording artists Rose Windows, a deluxe cover illustration by Simon Fowler, and the amazing photography of Alison Scarpulla.
Recorded and mixed by Randall Dunn. Produced by Randall Dunn and Master Musicians of Bukkake. Mastered at Chicago Mastering by Jason Ward.
Photos by Alison Scarpulla. Cover illustration and layout by Simon Fowler. Art direction Randall Dunn.
Master Musicians of Bukkake is:
David Abramson: percussion, drums, tef, shaman shakers, green fog
B.R.A.D: percussion, vocals, candles, sights unseen
Don McGreevy: percussion, drums, 12 string electric and acoustic guitar, mellotron, bass, brass arrangements
Randall Dunn: korg analog synths, mellotron, divining rod, water seeking foolishness
Milky: electric and acoustic guitar, synths, vocals, mossy fuzz
Timm Mason: electric guitar, serge modular synth, electric bass, insects
Additional Far West Congregation and guests:
Samantha Boshnak: trumpet, flugelhorn
Naomi Siegal: trombone
White Mountian Voices: Nils Petterson, Rabia Quazi, Richie Rico
Keith Lowe: contra bass
Craig Flory: baritone and tenor saxophone
Lyrics and music for Circular Ruins based on the Jorge Louis Borges story of the same title.
"Like snow from the ground
leaves from the trees
rain from the sky
dew from the grass
and thoughts from the mind
So too shall you disappear..."
-Zen poem , unknown author
TRACK LISTING
1) Whit Mountain Return
2) γη-νομος / Gnomi
3) Arch
4) Cave of Light: The Prima Materia
5)You Are A Dream Like Your Dreamer: The Dark Peace
6) Circular Ruins
REVIEWS
"By this point, it should be patently obvious to all who hear that this elusive group who have more than earned the self-bestowed 'Master Musicians' title. But what is still an unknown quantity is where they go from here.... The world, and beyond, is indeed their oyster." ~ The Sleeping Shaman
"As much as it's rooted in tradition - sonically and spiritually - Far West is still a vehicle for escape, pure and simple." ~ Mr. Atavist
"Listening to the whole record in one sitting is liking meditating in the Himalayas - thoroughly uncomfortable at times, but ultimately incredibly rewarding. It transcends the normal realms of 'music' as a concept, instead delivering a therapeutic salmagundi that flows through your soul." ~ 405
"It's rare to applaud a band for going around in endless circles, but the depth Master Musicians of Bukkake have achieved with Far West can only be commended." ~ Music Ohm
Recommended Musique Machine
"Wherever they go next, the world is their playground, and we have no choice but to keep following the light." ~ Terrorizer
"In the end, Far West is another solid effort that only deepens the misty path Master Musicians of Bukkake have taken, always pushing the music in front and never revealing its true origins. These guys are great musicians indeed, but their charm needs certain moods to bloom and an open minded approach to the discography. This record, however, might be the easiest to digest yet, as its best moments are both career highlights and less dense, focusing instead on the atmosphere without overcrowding with unnecessary additions. Also, there is more focus and coherence overall, thus hinting towards the possibility of a magnum opus in the near future." ~ Sputnik
"Far West is a deliciously evocative and emotionally incendiary piece of work which is intense and outstanding as a whole or as individual adventures, either having the same strength and impact on thoughts and passions... one of the albums of the year? We think so!" ~ Ringmaster
"Some of the surreal sounds here ripple with invention with the percussive twists an obvious highlight. Taken as a whole it's a triumph of musical titillation but judging each song in isolation is pointless. To appreciate it at its most moving, Far West should be judged as one piece of magical, aural evolution." ~ 10/10 Rush On Rock
"Master Musicians of Bukkake have captured the zeitgeist of music connoisseurs and given us a spiritual noise masterpiece." ~ Trebuchet
"The expansive atmospherics, rich in detail and texture and drawing influence from myriad sources, forge a psychotropic soundtrack to an interior film that's often beautiful, but at times unsettling. The darker moments are as likely to induce defecation as ejaculation, but make no mistake, Far West is one awe-inspiring journey." ~ Whisperin' & Hollerin'
"The Musicians play to their strengths, blending oddball folk (Circular Ruins), low-end drone (You Are A Dream Like Your Dreamer) and spacey psychedelia (Arche) to majestic ends. Better yet, the seamless, heavily atmospheric flow of the record just doesn't let up, making it their most cohesive statement yet." ~ 4/5 Skinny
"Don't be afraid to visit the Far West. It is daunting, I'll grant you, but it's one of the most rewarding trips you'll ever take." ~ This Is Not A Scene 9/10
