The press release accompanying this disc proudly proclaims that The Coffin Years is “45 minutes of noise-metal-kraut-prog-rock” which is probably about 44 minutes too long in anyone’s book. It goes on to state that ACPC take “a gleeful and unashamedly indulgent approach to metal, krautrock and art rock”. Now this is all very well if they could show even partial dexterity for any one of these disciplines.
ACPC, I’m told, hail from Bristol. When I think of Bristol I think of Portishead, Massive Attack and The Blue Aeroplanes. This is like none of the above. At the risk of sounding like your dad….”it’s just bloody noise!”
Apparently “the album was conceived as a reaction against the seriousness of much experimental guitar music. It features comic Beefheart-esque interludes, deadpan lyrics and a gleeful and unashamedly indulgent approach to metal, krautrock, and art rock.” Sadly it fails dismally to be that interesting.
Most tracks start well enough but when the same riff is being maintained several minutes in, the boredom starts.
When the song titles (‘Bad Villainy’, ‘Thunder & Wonder’ and ‘Still Dead After All These Years’) are more interesting than the actual songs themselves you have a problem. While the name of the band may attract spotty pubescent boys I am at a loss to identify who may actually enjoy this.
It’s not Spacemen 3 and it sure isn’t Spiritualized but it’s clear that they would love to be either. Having now listened to the disc a dozen times it fails to improve with age… best avoided.
