Kapou Allou
Inner Ear, 2022
9/10
The Athens, Greece punks Bazooka sure did impress me with 2019’s Zero Hits, and this follow up and 4th album continues their psych-rock and ‘60s influences that are as creative as they are memorable.
“Kata Vathos” starts the listen with warm acoustic guitar, as poetic singing enters the folk-rock climate, and “Krifto” follows with thumping drums, group vocals and a scrappy version of rock that’s got plenty of playful guitar playing.
Halfway through, “Dikia Mou Alithia” recruits a charged, post-punk feel that’s gritty but tuneful, while “Katarameni” radiates an animated garage-rock approach that’s highly melodic in a head bobbin’, toe tappin’ sort of way.
Landing near the end, “Jazooka” is a bit more reserved, intimate even, but not without buzzing bursts of fuzzed out rock amid the creative psyche-exploration, and “Veloudino Kako” exits with the most upbeat, cultured and harmonic track that cements just how diverse this body of work is.
Although it’s very much a guitar driven affair, there’s a healthy amount of synth and organ, too, and Bazooka’s indie-rock meets post-punk meets retro-rock mashing is as exciting as ever and worth plenty of global attention.
Travels well with: Bazooka- Zero Hits; Pulsar Ensemble- Bizarre City