Interstellar Overbike

At the very least, Tivol deserve acknowledgement for their album title, Interstellar Overbike (with ferocious bikers on the cover -- the drawing being grainy and dark, they almost look like Japanese warriors). But the CD is more than a play on words; it is top-quality stoner rock. This Finnish group may not be reinventing the guitar/bass/drums power trio, but there are enough head-banging moments inside to fulfill your need to rock out -- and enough rawness, strangeness, and psychedelic noise to do it in style. Depending on your musical roots, Tivol may evoke fellow Finnish stoners Pharaoh Overlord, Japanese bands like Mainliner and High Rise, or (for the older readers) Hawkwind or even Amon Düül II -- especially when there is plenty of reverb in the vocals. The album consists of two 15-minute tracks and a five-minute closer. "Prätkäbarbaarit" is the most psychedelic piece, with freaky percussion and vocal overdubs, a couple of rhythmic shifts, and a hypnotic pulse. It has an anthemic quality, coming close in intensity to Acid Mothers Temple's classic "La Novia." This track is bookended by the two-part "Tivoloid," closer in style to the aforementioned Japanese groups: relentless, unabashed pummeling with plenty of overdriven guitar licks. Lyrics are sung in Finnish (reproduced in the booklet, in case you would like to practice) by a singer with a fitting low, gothic-sounding voice. The sound quality is good enough to be enjoyable, gritty enough to add attitude. Yes, there's a shtick to this act; yes, it's character playing. But it's well done and entertaining as hell. Recommended to fans of any of the bands mentioned herein. ~ François Couture|