Mushroom Giant

R E V I E W S • THE SILENT BALLET (USA) (26/4/08) Their sound sits right on the line between rock and metal, spacey and earthy. As they straddle these variables, multitudes of combinations produce great variety in the album, probably best shown in “Poor Tom,” which quickly switches from shred metal to spacey ambience again and again. Easily the heaviest song on the album, it provides a great change from the rather subdued nature of the middle of the album. The following title track combines the two aspects of “Poor Tom” by keeping the distorted guitars and heavy drums, but relying on feedback and drone for its main material. “Kuru” is perhaps the song that sounds most like its concept, conveying the delirious, degenerative nature of the disease. “Autumn Leaves the Dead” is a pleasant yet energetic song that clearly contrasts “Poor Tom” in its beauty, despite the desolate implications of its title. Clean guitars and near-Oriental sounding violin melodies work beautifully together. Unfortunately, the song has little to do with the jazz classic “Autumn Leaves,” but still is a highlight on the album. www.thesilentballet.com • BEAT MAGAZINE 'Album of the Week' (20/2/08) "... Crescendos are used to great effect throughout Kuru to build tension and elevate mood. In addition to the standard drums, bass and guitars, Mushroom Giant utilise pedal effects, violins and keys to give depth and dynamics. This is no more evident than on Iron Tang, Pigeons and Woman Heroin. In what would’ve fitted nicely on the Braveheart soundtrack, Autumn Leaves The Dead gives a feeling of walking through open fields, flanked by mountains, with the breeze brushing over long grass. The gentle, light-filled first part to Kuru is just the calm before the storm. As the waves dive into the undertow and guitars begin to drop, chop and churn. The track Kuru holds a thunder-filled Sabbath drone while Poor Tom is truly the eye of the storm. Its schizo riffs and foot-to-the-floor drumwork are a force to behold." JAMES RIDLEY www.beat.com.au/review.php?id=1003 • OZ PROG 'Featured Artist' (8/3/08) "... Mushroom Giant have been quietly perfecting their art over the past five years, and their proficiency is evident on Kuru. Evoking comparisons to Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Mono - bands who often teeter on the edge of out-and-out metal but also have a quieter, subtle side - Kuru is a rollercoaster ride from start to end. In the album opener "Graven Image", one of post-rock's signature techniques is employed: gradually threading a melody into a repetitive rhythm, building closer and closer towards a crescendo. The difference here is in the upbeat, pounding drumbeat that drives the song at a speedy pace, making the song more dance-rock than post-rock. A crushing, distorted guitar effect in the final 20 seconds of the track offers one of many headbanging opportunities to come for those so inclined." "... This is what Mushroom Giant do best: project moods, paint scenes and tell stories, all purely using music, and without any lyrics. This is a rare skill. Kuru is a truly deep album, one not easily judged after a single listen, but one that becomes more rewarding with each listen. Give it the time and space it needs to show itself to you, and the album's beauty will make itself evident." BRAD DIXON www.ozprog.com/reviews/music/view/37 KURU – THE LINGERING SCARS OF PREDATION Cannibalism has had a profound influence on our natural history. It is estimated that one in every second human carries a new protein which has evolved to combat the debilitating symptoms of a disease known in Papua New Guinea as Kuru – a deadly infection spread by the ingestation of human flesh and blood. Kuru: a link to National Geographic MUSIC ON MYSPACE Take a step just across the cyber hallway to our Myspace page where you can hear some more tracks, view our friends' bands pages and leave a comment about how our music makes you green out: www.myspace.com/mushroomgiant ® RETURN TO TOP