Soul-Junk

Item: 1942
Author: Ken Mueller

1942

(2001)

Reviewed by Ken Mueller

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Label Sounds FamilyreThe Phantom Tollbooth2001

electronic experimental hip hop

Lately 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 are some interesting twists and additions. Thematically, the disc seems to center around a variety of incidents in the Bible that deal directly with the intertwining of the natural and supernatural realms. The disc is book-ended with two variations on some passages from the book of Revelation, complete with lampstands and other items from John's vision. The song that most brings back memories of their first few discs is "Israel & the Limping Hip," an exploration of Jacob and his wrestling match with God. "Soon Seated" deals with Christ appearing before the High Priest prior to his crucifixion, while "3 Fascinating Smells" is adapted from the book of Ezekiel and his vision of a wheel within a wheel.

Joining the Galaxy brothers on this disc are Slo-Ro, Sufjan Stevens, Daniel Smith (and others from the Danielson Famile), as well as Daniel's dad, Lenny Smith. And while the sound is pure Soul Junk, there are definite Danielson influences throughout, particularly on "3 Fascinating Smells."

It's great to hear this sound again, and I hope that there will be more of this down the line when it's time for their next full-length.

3.5 tocks