Monday, November 8, 2010

Emeralds - Split w/Sam Goldberg

Last weekend I attended Moogfest, a synthesizer based music festival local to Asheville, NC. I only bought a saturday ticket but somehow I managed to get in all three days. Emeralds was among the finest, along with Matmos, Omar Souleyman and a few others.
Emeralds displayed an act of enthusiasm I've never seen in an experimental group/solo act. John Elliot and Mark McGuire where "rocking the fuck out" from start to finish. Start being the band's procession on stage, blasting The Crypt Jam while singing along (and rocking out). I was with a friend who was experiencing Emeralds for the first time. I can't explain the feeling I got when I saw her reaction.
This album is a perfect blend of experimental and zen drone. I personally feel it is Emeralds at their best! Their half of the album reminds me of What If God Was On The Subway?/Smoke This Now, a split with Sunburned Hand of the Man, released the same year. If you dig this album, also check out the 2009 mega-hit EP, What Happened.

 Zaggin

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