Papa November - Book One- Azmaveth [First Fold Records - 2008]Papa November are neither a Gangster rap project or a metal band as their name might suggest instead their a project that comes up with an rather original mix of lo-fi glitch and percussive electronic matter with Post/ avant rock, dark indie rock tone, soundtrack elements and the odd more upbeat lo-fi pop moment. Book One – Azmaveth is a soundtrack to bizarre, apocalyptic and bibcally linked story that’s played out in rather sinister black and white pictures in the enclosed fold out booklet, with children’s dolls used to play out each of the twelve part story along with other creepy props like hands, fabrics and darkness all to come off like a nightmarish take on uk late 70’s children’s TV shows like Finger mouse. So on to the music they uses a mix of guitars, bass, cello, vocal drones, synth & paino elements, cut-up manipulated lo-fi electronics and sound textures and lastly and bizarrely Lute. All used to conjuring up this original and edgy sound which I guess the closet thing you could compare it to was if Morr Music decided to do more edgy, dark and lo-fi soundtrack music with added elements of cinematic yet grim instrumental rock and soundtracking elements. It’s the way the lo-fi glitchy, static and percussive electronic matter is spread often skeletally around the edgy if a little wavering post rock and soundtrack elements that makes this so other and rewarding, it also helps they have some great and atmopshric tunes to thier hands too A rather different and unique take on the whole soundtrack for your head and nightmares thing. That though is not with out it’s faults and medico moments on the whole is a intriguing, strange and atmospheric ride. Roger Batty
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