Thomas
love these earlier versions of the songs. emphasizes the feeling of rawness that's already present in so much of Algiers' music
Favorite track: Black Eunuch.
Originally released in 2012 by the now-defunct Atlanta imprint Double Phantom, “Blood” b/w “Black Eunuch” marks the seething, debut transmission from avant-gospel-punk provocateurs Algiers. This critical, now-out-of-print 7" has been reissued on blue vinyl with alternate artwork by Geographic North to commemorate the band’s 2017 European dates supporting Depeche Mode. Later rerecorded for their self-titled, 2015 LP on Matador Records, these original offerings remain as pertinent and compelling as ever.
“It sounds less like a song and more like a living, breathing condemnation from God that crawled out of a swamp somewhere in the South to force America to face down its hideous past and pathetic political present.”
—Stereogum
“…the we-shan’t-overcome dejection of ‘Blood’ is chillingly framed by a tambourine rattle and handclap that feel like lashes from a whip.”
—Pitchfork
“Although the fusion may have been touched upon in recordings related to both The Birthday Party and The Gun Club, Algiers are dedicated to grafting gospel music onto post-punk guitar-cuzz…this record is mesmerizing and really sucks you in with its weird power.”
– Byron Coley, WIRE Magazine
credits
released June 14, 2017
Guitar, Vocals, Programmed By, Percussion – Lee Tesche
Vocals, Bass Guitar, Percussion – Ryan Mahan
Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Programmed By – Franklin James Fisher
Mastered By – Travis Thatcher
Mixed By, Engineer – Steve Burgan
Artwork – Farbod Kokabi
I was brought here after listening to a live performance of Makaya's on you tube. I instantly loved the song Holy Lands so much that I had to see if the album version was the same rendition as the live one. Then I listened to the whole album! Universal Beings is a just a groove... It's a mix of traditional and something new, very nice. pandr1900
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