Mugstar - Sun,Broken [Important Records - 2010]"Sun Broken” took me by surprise. The cover art suggested, at least to me, that something very abstract or harsh is waiting for me inside. But instead, what I discovered is a refreshing mixture of music that immediately brought to mind Tangerine Dream and Ozric tentacles-like psychedelic/space rock. Their sound also has tinges of seventies rock, along with a dirty distortion edge that brought to mind more modern noise rock. "Sun, Broken" is a powerful album, even if at points it loses its focus and intensity a little. A fine example of the one powerful points can be found in the track - "Today is the wrong shape". In this track (perhaps the best in the album) Mugstar adds to their usual psychedelic sound a chaotic gesture of noise rock elements and a post rock atmosphere. The combination of these styles makes the band burst into flames with an exceptional and energetic drive throughout this powerful track. The next track, "She ran away with my medicine" takes a more subtle approach and strongly reminds me of some parts in Pink Floyd's "Dark side of the moon", only with some interesting additions of electronic ambient sounds. At other points the album might go a little further into the realm of trance while still keeping their rock based musical roots, while other different tracks focus more on raw and more primitive guitars. Even if at some points Mugstar might fail to bring their own individuality to their music, you have to admit that they sure know how to blend and switch between different styles easily. Mugstar keep most of the albums tracks under the six minute mark, expect for the last track epic 13 mintue track, and this works in favor of the band, making the tracks sharp and to the point. So in summing-up “…Sun, Broken…" does have it’s ups and downs, but it remains energetic and interesting
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