Helmet Of Gnats - "High Street" Review

Artist/ Band: Helmet Of Gnats
Title: High Street
Label: Ambient Records
Year of Release: 2010
Offical Artist/ Band Link

The Review:

Helmet Of Gnats returns after six years with their most ambitious album to date, called High Street. This time around, the songs are all in a long format with the shortest song clocking in at ten and a half minutes to an epic length of just over 30 minutes. The line-up on High Street remains intact from their last album, II, from 2004.

Tracks: “Tsunami” (11:00), “Tin Whiskers” (10:26), “Dover” (12:43), and the title track, “High Street” (30:11). This is one powerhouse of music rooted in the jazz-fusion genre that spawned bands like Return To Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report and countless others. HoG’s brand of jazz-fusion is an updated form of those bands with a 21st century production.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this album from several listens. Each time I get the greatest joy from the epic title track. Never does the band go on auto-pilot, they’re right on the spot and keep the music fresh especially for a newbie to the fusion world such as myself. This is one of the better instrumental albums of 2010 and get a very high recommendation.

Reviewed by Ron Fuchs on September 23rd, 2010

Tracks:

01. Tsunami (11:00)

02. Tin Whiskers (10:26)

03. Dozer (12:43)

04. High Street (30:11)

Reviewed Discography

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