Masters Of The Hemisphere - Better Things

  by Cara Ross

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

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Review

Fans of the Elephant 6 collective will probably want to pick up this latest 7” by Masters of the Hemisphere...limited to 200 copies on clear vinyl. Don’t be confused though. This is not an Elephant 6 band, but the connection is close. They’re more like neighbours than actual Housemates. The Masters of the Hemisphere have two previous full-lengths on the Kindercore label, and the band itself includes members of Summer Hymns and Elf Power. I don’t think I’m generalizing too grossly when I say that almost everything coming out of the psychedelic circle that is Athens, Georgia is pretty impressive, but then I’ve already given everyone my monologue on all things “co-operative”. Some of it is better than others, and some of it can be tough to take when you’re not just tripping out with your headphones on...this isn’t one of those though. Both tracks on this seven inch are sweet melodies. Definitely more catchy Pop than Psyche, and it’s all very pretty, but pretty in that weird E6 sort of way...like the pretty flowers are actually melting because they did something wrong and this is their punishment. No, it’s really not so abstract as all that, more like if the Monkeys were still “young” and around today, this is what they’d be playing (minus the unique humour that comes equipped with the Masters of the Hemisphere). The A side here is the happy gem called: 'Better Things'. The B side is more of a happy yet sinister gem called: 'Die Mustapha Die'. Not a surprise coming from a band who is full on into the “whole package” concept. One of their full-length albums came with a comic book, the accompanying music to which played out the trials and tribulations of an evil dog. Personally I think that this type of quirk only adds to this band’s charm. I would like to enjoy a lime rickey when I sit on my milk-crate listening to this one next to the record player. Truthfully I’ve never had a lime rickey, but you get my drift, right?

Track Listing:-

1 Better Things
2 Die Mustafa Die