This album definitely takes a few listens to get a handle on. I still don't know exactly what to make of it. I do know that a handful of the songs, like the screeching, foot-stompin' rocker "A Practical Joke", the insanely catchy slide guitar fest "The Art of Reason", and the beautiful, reflective "Focus", are among the most creative and well executed songs I've heard in a while. But I also know that most of the other songs just plain aren't very good. If you're into a lot of awkward noises, repetitive song structures, and artsy filler tracks you might enjoy them, but if you aren't you'll probably find yourself reaching for the fast forward button half the time. Overall the quality and creativity of The Spirituality's better tracks do outweigh the album's shortcomings and make the CD as a whole worth listening to, but patience is a prerequisite for the listener. When the Desert Fathers are good, they're great, but when they're bad... oh man.
2/4
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2004Reviewed by Trae CadenheadPerhaps you think Radiohead is confusing. If that's the case, prepare to enter a whole new realm of how truly bizarre music can be. Actually, regardless of your thoughts on Radiohead, you'll find The Desert Fathers bizarre. But we're just getting started... The Desert Fathers is composed of Acquaman, The Real, and Levitas. Who are these guys? I haven't the faintest idea, but I can tell you what…The Phantom Tollbooth 2004Reviewed by Barry NothstineOh, this one was FUN to review folks. The Desert Fathers are named after an ancient monastic order whose members withdrew from society to live alone. In the desert I wisely presume. They have created a 1/2 hour musical masterwork that defies description and demands repeat plays. The Spirituality is one of the most fun, original, genre-mixing bits of musical mayhem that I have listened to in a…Similar sounding releases
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