Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir - Fighting And Onions
by Daniel Cressey
published: 21 / 8 / 2006
Label:
Select Label
Format: CD
intro
Chaotic, but stunning punk rock folk/blues on debut album from Calgary-formed act the Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir
Given that this choir’s members are clearly people you would not want to get on the wrong side of this review must be approached with caution. The sheer, chaotic madness of this band is captured here with a visceral intensity. Initially it is impossible not to think that they may be having more fun than you. A mash up of folk and blues, with a definite edge of punk-rock attitude, Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir smash though their opening tracks as if the music once said something nasty about their mothers, pummelling and twisting it into a compelling, screaming cacophony. Later as you get used to it and as they settle down the interest is maintained. Real talent emerges from the noise. The tightness of the whole band is unflagging and keeping track of which banjo, guitar and drum is doing what quickly becomes an impossible task and you are forced to simply soak up the uniqueness. Raw and unpolished, dripping in sweat, blood and probably nastier things the Agnostics manage to fire belief in the power of live music, even on record. The folk-noise collision doesn’t always work but it works more often than not. 'Fighting and Onions' is a glorious addition to the fucked-up folk-blues scene.
Track Listing:-
1 Stay Here for Awhile2 Buried Them In Water
3 Special Rider
4 Oh Sorrow
5 Weasel
6 Look Up Look Down That Lonesome Road
7 North Country Grass
8 Preaching Blues
9 Vinegar & Piss
10 Table o' the Lord
11 Bouncin' Betty
12 Come Along With Me
13 Death Don't Have No Mercy
14 Lighten Up, Would Ya?
15 Lousy Drunk
16 Things I Forgot
17 Not Too Bad
18 Stay Here for Awhile (reprise)
live reviews |
|
12 Bar, London, 30/9/2007 |
|
| The Agnostic Gospel Mountain Choir are obviously capable of serious force with their fierce gospe-esquel blues, but at the 12 Bar in London Dan Cressey finds them on strangely subdued form |
reviews |
|
Ten Thousand (2008) |
|
| Flawed, but fascinating second album from Mississippi blues and Appalachian hill country-influenced Canadians, Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir |
most viewed articles
current edition
Pennyblackmusic - Writers and Photographers' Albums of the Year 2024Peter Perrett - In Dreams Begin Responsibilities Interview Part One
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Clive Langer - Interview
Pennyblackmusic - Book of the Year Award 2024
Johnnie Johnstone - Interview
Marianne Faithfull - Reflections
Laura Nyro - Profile
Johny Brown - Corpse Flower
Vinyl Stories - Vinyl 2024
most viewed reviews
current edition
Dorie Jackson - Stupid Says RunRingo Starr - Look Up
Beabadoobee - This is How The World Moves
Pixie Lott - Encino
Dusty Springfield - The BBC Sessions
Unthanks - In Winter
Joan Armatrading - How Did This Happen and What Does It Mean?
Oïmiakon - Comptoir Des Vanites
Rosie Lowe - Lover, Other
Emily Burns - Die Happy
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart