Album of the month :
February 2004
Ghinzu (B) :
" Blow " ( Dragoon)
Since dEUS are on vacation for an undefined period (*), and despite a very dynamic local scene, a place was left vacant in Belgium for a brash, feverish, adventurous R n' R act.
This was before Ghinzu proudly came to fill the gap . Released in 2002 to critical acclaim, their debut album " Electronic Jacuzzi" was a brilliant yet patchy introduction to the band's caustic, peculiar and uncomfortable world. Dressed in three-piece suits and wearing huge afro-wigs, the six Brussels boys proved then that this arresting look was by no means intended to hide a lack of imagination. On the contrary, the album displayed an overabundance of ideas that was both its blessing and its curse, as Ghinzu failed to organize them into a coherent work. But they tried things others wouldn't even think about, and most of all, they did it with the right attitude: serious with their music, but not taking themselves seriously.
Four years later, the cover-picture of " Blow" shows that the boys have lost nothing of their knack for finding striking images: you won't miss it at the record-shop. And the album is in every way better than its predecessor. Here, the only rule is: there's no rule at all. Or to be more accurate, the only rules are those Ghinzu impose to themselves. The six have learnt a lesson from their bad old ways: this time, the album has been carefully thought out as a whole, all its elements clicking together perfectly so that the final outcome is greater than just the sum of its parts. Within these constraints, everything is allowed. Like, for instance, opening the album with a nine-minute epic number ( the title-track), or alternating very quiet ( My Sweet Love ) and very loud ( the truly terrific Mine ) songs, very melodic ( Jet Sex ) and very experimental ( Until You Faint ) ones. Unless they mix it all into one track, like on the unbelievable The Gragster-Wave which starts very gently, turns kinda classical in the middle and ends in a glorious racket à la Suds and Soda. Ghinzu have no fear. They dare the bombastic and neo-prog approach on My Sweet Love, Horse or that over-the-top Sea-Side Friends that closes the album, without allowing you to decide if they just take a malicious pleasure at being musically incorrect, or if they're REALLY in it ! No matter ! It's a package: take it or leave it. But you'd be well-advised to take it as, along the way, the band also delivers two perfect singles: High-Voltage Queen, a breathtaking crescendo affair that perfectly sums up the virtues and singularities of Belgian rock - almost a textbook case - while Do you read me, a 3'45" straight-ahead rocker, offers a killer Clash-like chorus that should propel it soon to the top of the indie-charts.
Listening to " Blow" is like riding a ghost-train: you never know what the next turn will show. It is simultaneously exciting, stimulating and definitely entertaining. Get your ticket now !
( * According to the music press, they're about to make their come-back with a tour this summer and a new album by late 2004)
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