#rktkn2

Ever experienced that brain gnawing sensation when your tongue can’t seem to retrieve what your memory knows (yet fails to express)? Mind lounging. The familiar feeling you can’t seem to pin down. Well, something similar happened when listening to “Nico Van Der Eeken” off Raketkanon’s Holy Second (RKTKN#2). That freakin’ intro! 

Vague memories of a not-so-distant-drug-addled-crazy-hot-summer. About four days in, it hit me! Flipo Madderfokkin’ Mancini’s Distorted Lovesongs. Ha-ha! Triumph des Willens. Memory Serves.

The boys aim pretty high opening with “Florent”. KA-BLOOIE! Blending in nicely with the aforementioned “Nico”-track. In keeping this subtle yet very effective interplay between the songs going the band displays a savage savoir-mixer, which adds an extra dimension to the already carefully crafted tracklist. Nowhere is this more apparent than in between menage-à-trois “Elisa”-”Ibrahim”-”Harald”. The last tune (”Hanz”) sort of breaks away from these dynamics, instead expanding on a slightly looser groove. 

Exposure to these angular yet swinging ditties reminded me of the raw energy and fresh excitement I found on the Rott Childs’ “Riches Will Come Thy Way”, but where the Childs digressed on their second album (dabbling in the occult) these guys actually progressed. It’s an impressive body of work. Sharp, graceful, wonderfully concise and extremely danceable.

Raketkanon – ‘Florent’ 7″

Hailing from Ghent, Raketkanon are Jef Verbeeck, Pieter de Wilde, Lode Vlaeminck, Pieter-Paul Devos.

They describe themselves as “a combination of sludge, experimental drift and chaotic psychedelica. Think Melvins meets Tomahawk by way of early Butthole Surfers — Down tuned guitars, deformed vocals and droney bass synths, coupled with an ear for great songs, make Raketkanon one of the most…