The Kosmic Konnection – Kosmos Premiere Album Reviewed

Kosmos – a new project by Voivod drummer Michel “Away” Langevin – is dedicated to progressive music at its psychedelic best. Both friends and musicians, these guys must have launched together in the spaceship that traveled them back to atomic punk. All of them – experienced in their art – give them license to explore the genre further. Joining Away on his space odyssey is the flamboyant hip swiveling JetPhil giving us his smoky groove guitar playing, the omnipresent Vincent Peake providing his rocket-fueled bass, and Alex Crow, guitar extraordinaire and electrically-talented keyboardist.

Dedicated to Denis “Piggy” D’amour, Voivod’s singular guitarist, who succumbed to colon cancer in August 2005, the album’s 12 songs are each chock full of bizarre distortions set to the maximum level taking you on a time traveling journey. The first song, which happens to be my favorite, Psycho has flavors of 70s prog rock bands such as Yes and Rush. JetPhil captures Jeff Beck’s guitar sounds at his best and Alex Crow channels Rick Wakeman in this whirlwind ride. Dreams remind me of a lullaby high on laser beams while Grand Grizou flies the spaceship to the next galaxy. The space-induced whispers of Yawa leads into the cosmic shaman sounding Indu Kush complete with Indian chants and featuring Away’s notoriously thunderous drumming.

This mostly instrumental album also has a couple of tunes with vocals. The Mark Bolan-style bluesy Much Too Old featuring Xavier Caféϊne on vocals and the poetic spaced-out Amerique Innavouable showcasing Vince Peake’s incredible bass grooves. Krautrock is a generous tribute to all the Kraut rock bands like Hawkwind, Zombi, and Monster Magnet. Finishing the tour is rocket-fueled Septial and Mess Noire – a 70’s grooved song that’ll have you up and dancing wondering what happened to Be-ins.

The best thing about Kosmos is the dream journey they unwittingly take you on – letting you forget the troubles of today and finding a future in your tomorrows. Close your eyes and keep believing.

Please visit their website at www.myspace.com/kosmostheband.