Telescope
Illusion Tournet, 2021
9/10
An outfit spearheaded by Scott Tournet, formerly of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, this 3rd album from Elektric Voodoo only further solidifies the 6 piece as one of today’s most diverse and exciting bands who touch on reggae, funk, jazz, Latin and many forms of rock music.
“Chasing Ghosts” starts the listen with buzzing guitar work before swift drums and a spacey atmosphere enter the smooth and agile opener, and “In The Dark” follows with warm keys and playful percussion as a very rhythmic and adventurous landscape unfolds.
Elsewhere, “Wake Up” offers a busy and highly melodic display of varied and soaring rock’n’roll, while “The Curtain” recruits plenty of brass amid the more forceful moments of dense song craft and bright synth, making this one of the album’s best.
Arriving near the end, “Water” illustrates a dynamic chemistry between the players that thumps while also touching on blues, and “Children Are The Revolution” exits the listen with much soulfulness entering the harmonica friendly and groove friendly finish.
It is very apparent that much work went into this record (rehearsing 3-4 hours a night for 3 months!), and it’s much appreciated as Elektric Voodoo rarely stay in one place for very long and keep the listener enthralled with the unpredictable and infectious songwriting.
Travels well with: Polyrhythmics- Fondue Party; Dumpstaphunk- Where Do We Go From Here