Kirk Windstein - Dream In Motion review
Band: | Kirk Windstein |
Album: | Dream In Motion |
Style: | Sludge metal |
Release date: | January 2020 |
01. Dream In Motion
02. Hollow Dying Man
03. Once Again
04. Enemy In Disguise
05. The World You Know
06. Toxic
07. The Healing
08. Necropolis
09. The Ugly Truth
10. Aqualung [Jethro Tull cover]
Crowbar frontman Kirk Windstein is the one artist I never knew I needed a solo album from.
I have somewhat of a complicated relationship with Crowbar and especially with Kirk Windstein's voice. As much as I enjoy their music, out of the classic sludge bands like Down, Eyehategod, Acid Bath and Melvins, Crowbar is the one I'm least likely to spin or rank above the others. And even my enjoyment of their music is somewhat closer to respect and admiration rather than actual enjoyment, part of that is due to Kirk's vocals. So it would seem quite counter-intuitive that I would enjoy an album that strips away the wall of distorted guitars that I do like about Crowbar and that leaves Kirk's vocals that I do not really like about Crowbar. I know, unexpected for me as well.
This album didn't really convince me that Kirk's vocals are more enjoyable than I thought they were, but it did prove their power in transmuting some emotional depth that was already present on Crowbar, but that shows more versatility here. There's obviously still traces of Crowbar-ish sludge, but if that was all there was to Dream In Motion, it wouldn't be worth releasing as a solo album, nor worth a review. Dream In Motion is a hazy, psychedelic and slow burning meditative set of ballads, with plenty of 90s alt rock feelings that put Kirk's voice and the emotion it shows in a new light.
The brooding vocals might be at the centerpiece of the record, but the guitar playing deserves a nod here, showing his knack for writing moody and memorable lines without the need for bludgeoning sledgehammers of riffs. Dialing back the distortion more often than not, but also keeping it when necessary creates a much more complete listening experience, much more than something like an acoustic album would've shown from Kirk. For an artist with so many years of activity, it's so refreshing seeing them explore outside of their usual sound, honoring his influences, keeping some roots in the usual sound, and most importantly showing honesty.
The "Aqualung" cover is unnecessary, but still a pretty cool listen.
I do have some newfound appreciation for Kirk Windstein and Crowbar, though I'm still quite likely to want to spin Dream In Motion rather than Odd Fellows Rest, but who knows, the latter is due for a revisiting too.
| Written on 03.02.2020 by Doesn't matter that much to me if you agree with me, as long as you checked the album out. |
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