Verktum - Verktum EP (Self-Released) 2003. The band Verktum is the same group as the band VRKTM that I raved about back in June 2007. At some point they got rid of their vowels. Who needs em? That’s what I always say. That’s why I am now going by J Stmbl.
Anyway, I digress.
This has gotta be one of my favorite recordings of the past few years. Guitarist Dave Bird sent this to me a few weeks back and it literally has not left my CD player since then. I mean Dave is one hot shit guitarist man and really on the first Verktum album he and the rest of the band rip thru some SERIOUS Magic Band type avant-shuffle. One of the coolest things about Verktum is their ability to meld completely disparate elements into a totally cohesive whole. Take Black Hand for instance. The thing starts off as a pseudo-1960s garage rock choogle and at some point breaks into a total 70s stoner rock riff this comes right after Face Walk which feels like some kind of demented waltz/polka type thing. All the while, the rythm section of this band just flat out rocks.
As you can see I really love Verktum and feel they should have been a lot bigger than they were. Now they are gone and you missed the boat. But its not too late! You can still admire the genius of the band in retrospect.
On an administrative note, Dave sent me a bunch of other Louisville goodies that I will be sharing over the next few weeks. In general, I am going to just post a few tracks and send you to Dave for info on purchasing but I believe this EP is painfully out of print and its so good that I thought you readers just had to hear the damn thing.
Hypnotiq
Face Walk
Black Hand
Milkshake Ride
This Time Today