Two Headed Emperor – Goldhanger Creek (Falling A Records 2020)
Two Headed Emperor continue to grow in stature as a musical force in the modern underground music scene. Invention is the key word here and the seeking of expression, mystical songs with sophisticated arrangements. Rich instrumentation, transporting us into the unique musical universe of The Two Headed Emperor. Poetic imagery delivered honestly and straight from the heart.
There are many truly beautiful moments on this album with its at times groove based moods, solid bass and drums, excellent guitar work with gritty riffs, colourful acoustic guitar accompaniment and biting guitar solos. Cajun blues meets experimental prog rock with tasteful interjections of keyboards reminiscent of all those Hammond organ led rock bands that we knew and loved in the 1970s. The vocals are superbly delivered throughout the album creating an atmosphere that is uniquely Barry Lamb, this time round augmented by the quite haunting vocals of Georgia Lamb creating an excellent counter point, a fine addition to the band.
There are so many ideas here, lovingly expressed by Barry and the other mainstay, the inimitable Peter Ashby. Creative, thoughtful and tasteful mixing makes for a captivating aural experience. Truly magical and possibly their best album yet. “Misty morning and quiet waters flow. You ride the black swan…”
Tim Jones, March 1 st 2020.
Two Headed Emperor continue to grow in stature as a musical force in the modern underground music scene. Invention is the key word here and the seeking of expression, mystical songs with sophisticated arrangements. Rich instrumentation, transporting us into the unique musical universe of The Two Headed Emperor. Poetic imagery delivered honestly and straight from the heart.
There are many truly beautiful moments on this album with its at times groove based moods, solid bass and drums, excellent guitar work with gritty riffs, colourful acoustic guitar accompaniment and biting guitar solos. Cajun blues meets experimental prog rock with tasteful interjections of keyboards reminiscent of all those Hammond organ led rock bands that we knew and loved in the 1970s. The vocals are superbly delivered throughout the album creating an atmosphere that is uniquely Barry Lamb, this time round augmented by the quite haunting vocals of Georgia Lamb creating an excellent counter point, a fine addition to the band.
There are so many ideas here, lovingly expressed by Barry and the other mainstay, the inimitable Peter Ashby. Creative, thoughtful and tasteful mixing makes for a captivating aural experience. Truly magical and possibly their best album yet. “Misty morning and quiet waters flow. You ride the black swan…”
Tim Jones, March 1 st 2020.
Two Headed Emperor - Goldhanger Creek
"Goldhanger Creek sounds like the illegitimate offspring of an illicit encounter between Led Zeppelin and Big Star. It's awkward, quirky, unstable, dangerous and yet you know that somewhere inside is the DNA of a genius lurking around.
Two Headed Emperor first appeared rather quietly in the Summer of 2017 with a post modern 侘寂 influenced combustion of 70's new wave and authentic progressive art rock. However, their debut album was far from retro. It was a poetic, gritty, haptic, sensual and visceral cocktail of heady music that was drawn from a diverse pool of influences. You could certainly hear traces of King Crimson, Van Der Graaf Generator and British progressive fingerprints blended with experimental art rock and the post punk vibe of the early 80's.
Their single "The Breath of Disunity" had a completely hypnotic trance vibe. The single far from announcing a new direction made way for a Christmas E.P. which was somewhat influenced by Christmas records of years gone by. Perhaps notably the Jethro Tull "Solstice Bells" e.p.
The second album "The Last Time We Did This It Ended in Disaster" released in the Summer of 2019 was much more experimental, featured less mellotron and more organ with elements of jazz, cosmic funk and quite notably a Krautrock type atmosphere. A more demanding listen than it's predecessor but not without it's rewards.
The albums have been punctuated by a couple of Radio sessions featuring tracks that have not been released in any format to date and now all of a sudden the Two Headed Emperor mission is about to take a new turn with their third album "Goldhanger Creek".
Barry had subtly hinted in an interview and recent bulletins to the fanbase that the new album would be more pastoral. I have to say that it is something of a masterpiece but it's not going to sit comfortably if you are expecting more dirty sax and cross fertilization between the New Wave and the experimental end of the Canterbury scene or Van Der Graaf Generator influenced Krautrock. There is no sax on this album at all. The Mellotron, organ and electronics make nothing more than a cameo appearance.
This is perhaps the Two Headed Emperor's "Led Zeppelin III". It's opener "Sojourner" is immediate and has the feel of an iconic rock track but the album ebbs and flows with heartfelt pastoral tunes, haunting moments and rock gems with crescendos of intensity. There's an authentic tip of the hat to the blues as well as plenty of moments that have been drawn from English folk tradition but to leave it there is a vast understatement.
At the end of side one "By These Wounds" is a bit of a spiritual awakening with it's majestic almost Middle Eastern feel and then Side two builds from the Beefheart style country blues of the title track, softens again into an emotive, haunting and stirring lament entitled "River Rolling" as the album builds towards it's slow electric blues finale complete with a fervid vocal performance and a guitar solo worthy of any legendary guitarist. Goldhanger Creek has some depth to it both lyrically and musically. Although it does have a pastoral and very personal feel to it, the latest Two Headed Emperor offering is not for the faint hearted. It is musically adventurous and leaves the listener wanting to play it again.
- Dr. Chemistry Set (Ptolemaic Radio Show)
"Goldhanger Creek sounds like the illegitimate offspring of an illicit encounter between Led Zeppelin and Big Star. It's awkward, quirky, unstable, dangerous and yet you know that somewhere inside is the DNA of a genius lurking around.
Two Headed Emperor first appeared rather quietly in the Summer of 2017 with a post modern 侘寂 influenced combustion of 70's new wave and authentic progressive art rock. However, their debut album was far from retro. It was a poetic, gritty, haptic, sensual and visceral cocktail of heady music that was drawn from a diverse pool of influences. You could certainly hear traces of King Crimson, Van Der Graaf Generator and British progressive fingerprints blended with experimental art rock and the post punk vibe of the early 80's.
Their single "The Breath of Disunity" had a completely hypnotic trance vibe. The single far from announcing a new direction made way for a Christmas E.P. which was somewhat influenced by Christmas records of years gone by. Perhaps notably the Jethro Tull "Solstice Bells" e.p.
The second album "The Last Time We Did This It Ended in Disaster" released in the Summer of 2019 was much more experimental, featured less mellotron and more organ with elements of jazz, cosmic funk and quite notably a Krautrock type atmosphere. A more demanding listen than it's predecessor but not without it's rewards.
The albums have been punctuated by a couple of Radio sessions featuring tracks that have not been released in any format to date and now all of a sudden the Two Headed Emperor mission is about to take a new turn with their third album "Goldhanger Creek".
Barry had subtly hinted in an interview and recent bulletins to the fanbase that the new album would be more pastoral. I have to say that it is something of a masterpiece but it's not going to sit comfortably if you are expecting more dirty sax and cross fertilization between the New Wave and the experimental end of the Canterbury scene or Van Der Graaf Generator influenced Krautrock. There is no sax on this album at all. The Mellotron, organ and electronics make nothing more than a cameo appearance.
This is perhaps the Two Headed Emperor's "Led Zeppelin III". It's opener "Sojourner" is immediate and has the feel of an iconic rock track but the album ebbs and flows with heartfelt pastoral tunes, haunting moments and rock gems with crescendos of intensity. There's an authentic tip of the hat to the blues as well as plenty of moments that have been drawn from English folk tradition but to leave it there is a vast understatement.
At the end of side one "By These Wounds" is a bit of a spiritual awakening with it's majestic almost Middle Eastern feel and then Side two builds from the Beefheart style country blues of the title track, softens again into an emotive, haunting and stirring lament entitled "River Rolling" as the album builds towards it's slow electric blues finale complete with a fervid vocal performance and a guitar solo worthy of any legendary guitarist. Goldhanger Creek has some depth to it both lyrically and musically. Although it does have a pastoral and very personal feel to it, the latest Two Headed Emperor offering is not for the faint hearted. It is musically adventurous and leaves the listener wanting to play it again.
- Dr. Chemistry Set (Ptolemaic Radio Show)