The Well - Pagan Science - 2016

Know what is a rare treat?  Getting to enjoy a local beer that shares a great album’s sleeve art.  True story.  Back in October 2016, The Well’s sophomore album, Pagan Science, was released, and Baltimore-based Oliver Brewing Company debuted the first of their limited-release, "Long Live Rock and Roll" Double IPA series.  The series features the brewer's favorite record labels, this particular one being Riding Easy Records, in conjunction with their album release of Pagan Science.   The VVers went to The Well's show at Metro Gallery in Baltimore with hopes of a trifecta: rock, new LP, and fancy suds!  Alas, on this night, only the band got to enjoy the new suds (they were on tour and earned it).  Not all was lost, the VVers got to chat before the concert about band and brew with Oliver head brewer Steve.  Don't worry, a few weeks later the VVers were able to acquire many of these beers for their consumption.  Pagan Science (the beer) is delicious and prominently features Mosaic hops (yum)!  As a side note, along with their stellar neighbors, the VVers have managed to try all of the "Long Live Rock and Roll" series of beer releases and all are quite quaffable.

What about the music already!?  Hailing from Austin, TX, The Well have captured that classic early 70's heavy metal essence and brought it forward with completely original material.  Pagan Science’s ferocity will enchant you.  Considering they are just a trio, their sound is plenty loud and doomy, yet you can distinctly hear each individual instrumentation.  Despite all of the mayhem, the band has found ways to compose and integrate thoughtful lyrics into this crushing blend.  Male and female vocals are sung in tandem, often being barely distinguishable from each other, while producing an eerie and powerful effect.  This is an excellent LP, start to finish; no track is weaker than the others.

Drop the needle and one side starts off with "Black Eyed Gods," swirling riffs over yelping then chanting vocals.  It lulls into a short blip of sampled, spoken word titled "Forecast" that leads right into the thundering guitars of "Skybound,” a nearly five-minute grind of multi-speed headbanging.  "A Pilgrimage" brings a storm of chaos with female vocals mid-track effectively making use of the "woooaaa woah woaahhhhwawoawo" which so many metal bands f-up, or should never use.  An ominous bass cadence introduces "Drug from the Banks" and leads it to a thoroughly dark and punishing place, both lyrically and sonically.  That's just one side.  The other side is just as worthy for a flip.

LONG LIVE ROCK AND ROLL (and also beer)!!!

The production on the album is pretty darn good, but it is notable how amazing The Well is live.  At the show, the VVers picked up the first pressing of Pagan Science, which apparently has the wrong track list on the sleeve and the lyrics sheet has Side 1 and 2 flipped.  Good thing the VVers were warned when they bought it from the band at the merch table, and also a good thing that the tracks are actually distinguishable, having a correlation with their names.  More confusing is that a cover of David Crosby’s “Guinevere” is listed, but not on the LP (must be digital only).  Bonus for this version being on beautiful red and pink splatter vinyl.  The band happily signed the record, but only after the VVers got a lesson from bassist/vocalist, Lisa, on how to open shrink wrapped vinyl and keep the shrink on (friction + denim = (pagan) science!).  Well, well, well, the VVers thank you for the lesson!

*does not apply to gatefold covers

Dear Record Executive

Dear Sir or Madam Record Executive,

Please consider green lighting a B-Sides and Rarities compilation for the legendary Mr. Kurtis Blow.  He continues to be musically active and is considered one of the founders of hip-hop.  In addition he most assuredly could use the money.  Evidenced here: http://www.njpac.org/events/detail/the-hip-hop-nutcracker-2016.  His discography has many high points that justify digging in the vaults (with all seven LPs in their collection, the VVers know what they are speaking of), yet there are some low points.  For instance: his last few albums were decidedly his worst, his somewhat corny rapping style became dated, and most surely of all he was "born again" in the early 90s and The Jesus does not like rap.  It's true.

Not convinced?  Perhaps a live album?  Even a legitimate "Greatest Hits and Misses" collection with a few bonus tracks might do it.  The few compilations (cassette, CD, and digital only) that have come out don't feature a single bonus track.  So whack!  Where are the deep cuts?  Where are the diamonds in the rough?  Mr. Blow probably has whole concept albums that have never seen the light of day!  Even an all B-Sides collection (ha, this is evil) would be acceptable... perhaps even useful?  The U.S. military would probably be first in line to underwrite it.

The VVers do not deny their shameless KB love.  No matter how bad this new compilation is, the VVers will buy it.  That put, please ensure this release is a plushly designed, picture disc, triple album pressed to minimum 200 gram vinyl, packaged with a chrome collectors download card, foil embossed lyric sheet, deluxe life size door poster, and flier advertising how to join his fan club.

Suggestions for a title:
B-Sides Both Sides
This Blows
Blowin' Again
Tough Deuce, America
Falling in Love ... Again?
Breaks, Blows, and B-Sides
B-Movie Beasts? Nah, B-Side Blowin'!

In conclusion, KB is an international treasure who deserves to be recognized for his talent.  The VVers are willing to pay.

Sincerely,

The VVers

P.S. The VVers have made it a tradition of harping on about bad B-sides by Mr. KB, and that is not really fair.  The man has made a number of great B-side cuts such as:  "Throughout Your Years" (with crazy jazz pianos and funspirational call and response), "Do the Do" (featuring fat drum rolls and bass lines and some very silly call and response), "Daydreamin'" (the only tolerable singing Mr. KB has ever done over a well-composed track), "Under Fire" (a sonic assault of echo, braggadocio, and laser beam effects, also a favorite of VVer #2), "I'm Chillin (the Transformers theme song co-opted as an anti-sexism track), and "If I Ruled the World" (probably his most recognizable late-career track, famously swiped by Nas for his single of the same name).