Here's another of those head turning moments. Swedish death metal band Ulver - undeniably fine musicians that I have never owned a record by before - come out with a record of covers. And not some lame group of covers, and not a group of songs done over in death metal style - a group of underground psych classics, with one exception all pre-1970, by bands like The Troggs, Chocolate Watch Band, Jefferson Airplane, The Pretty Things, 13th Floor Elevators, The Left Banke - and others. For the most part, not the usual tracks to cover either - look at the track listing and see how many titles you recognize, and match them up. This is obviously a tribute not only to the era but to the bands and songs which were formative to the band, and they have covered them with respect, where respect is not to mimic, not to maim, not to remake - but to capture the spirit, capture that feeling. There is no trace of Ulver's usual music here, these are not death metal butcherings. They are played like pop songs, by a fabulous group of musicians, in fact the musicianship is far higher than on any of the originals. The vibe is more Syd Barrett-ear Pink Floyd and even Revolver era Beatles, with a bit of Ayers era Soft Machine thrown in, but so much more as well, and a very singular voice. The sound is totally modern, and I can tell you that the CD sounds every bit as good as the vinyl - the songs have been mixed and mastered beautifully to retain the dynamics and tonality - and a fleeting, ethereal vibe - that Ulver bring to these great songs.
Whatever your opinion of Ulver, whatever you have hear from them before - put it aside. This is simply a stunning, beautiful, surprising record, and it is all the more so by being such an unexpected one. By far one of the best records of 2012, and it is one that I have listened to over and over for the past several weeks - and it still surprises and delights. Five massive doobies for where this great record has taken me.
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