Soul Junk took a turn in a very different direction with their 5 Minute Walk release 1956, and this EP seems to be more in the vein of their lo-fi earlier albums. Of course, having Daniel Smith around as the producer may have had some hand in this direction.
Whatever the reason is, back are the lyrics comprised of direct quotes from the Bible (this time around, mostly New Testament passages) and back are the intriguing tune structures, with the rapping and drum machines basically absent in favour of intricately layered vocal harmonies and disharmonies.
The result is an EP that works, because it is long enough for the experiment to have a clear direction, but short enough that the concept isn't boring or tiring. The first and last track form a framework of sorts into which the rest of the album fits. The theme of the album seems to be looking toward the promises of Christ in the midst of struggles ("Soon Seated," recalling Christ's trial, and "Israel and the Limping Hip").
Trying to describe how the instruments work together in this album is a task beyond my abilities, but suffice it to say that there are many different instruments on this album, not all of them used in a characteristic manner.
On the whole, this EP is solid, but not outstanding. For Soul Junk fans, however, it will certainly do for now.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Ken MuellerLately Soul Junk has been heading off in a direction with a lot of hip-hop sounds and electronic experimentation (as in Absalom Recording's recent 3-inch release). But as a fan of their earliest work, I was pleasantly surprised to pick up 1942, an EP featuring just six songs. Musically, it is reminiscent of their earliest low-fi work, but with Daniel Smith (Danielson Famile) at the helm, there…Similar sounding releases
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