Play 90 second soundbite of 'Aqualuna' @ 'CD quality'
Think voice used as another dynamic in the mix to be caressed, moulded as it were another instrument, think three part vocal harmonies, think subtle occasional instrumental discord, then chuck in some other-Nation influences and when you put all that together you'll get something approaching what Imajim offer you here.
I guess the nearest sounds-like I could offer you would be Radiohead or The Doors - but even that's a bit iffy!! Whatever, Imajim are definitely a bit different and put a new slant on 'alternative'; they don't go off on post-rock pandemonium or, in fact post-anything. Imajim just have their own sweet way of making music - and it's bloody good music!
Imajim give you four short but very sweet tracks to get your head around here, 'Aqualuna', 'Proximo Now', 'Thunked Up' and 'We Are Speakers' - four excellent, slightly challenging but crackin' works that set things up nicely for more to come - hopefully. Imajim could even be described as quirky insofar as the don't seem to deal in the conventional but there's nothing too obtuse in what they do either so don't worry on that score - if you like custard on yer rhubarb, you'll be more than able to cope with whatever Imajim can throw at you.
As a promo tool or as tempter for an album, 'We Are Speakers' gets the job done with ease; it sets the tone, it prepares the listener, it teases and tantalises and leaves you wanting more. Well, it certainly does that to me!! Lead vocalist / acoustic guitarist Jim Connelly must take much of the credit for his amazing ability to take things just far enough off track but keep it all real. Think Jim Morrison, think Thom Yorke - that's Connelly! Lead guitars are squeezed and oozed out by the dextrous and progressive Francesco Accurso whilst the solid but expansive foundations are laid by bassman Michael Belgil and drummer Lee Harding - see, no surprises in the instrumentation, Imajim don't need outside help with a voice like Connelly's at their centre.
'We Are Speakers' by the imaginative and fluid Imajim is an atmospheric, bordering on sensual, EP that certainly brings Imajim to your attention. Job done in that respect, except - four tracks just aint enough guys, when's the album due? Imajim are different, they're expressive, they're adventurous - occasionally a little dark but nonetheless a bright light to illuminate our way through life in the hope that there's something worthy at the end of our musical journey with them - like an album please guys!!
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