AAA Backstage Archive

Single Review: The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The KVB 'Days Weeks and Moths'

The Brian Jonestown Massacre are more than a band, they’re practically a collective: they’re Anton Newcombe’s complex consciousness summed up in a kaleidoscope of shoegaze, psychedelia and alt-rock.

Fourteen albums and seven EPs later and they still sound as fresh as they did in 1993. Days, Weeks and Moths is the first release from the band since 2012’s Aufben, a heavy psychedelic record emphasising the mystical aspects of The Brian Jonestown Massacre. This was the first record in a long time that had any consistent elements from the golden era of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, with echoes of one of their most fondly remembered albums ‘Their Satanic Majesties Second Request,’ with its Middle Eastern influenced instrumentals, and with original member Matt Hollywood re-joining the line-up. Days, Weeks and Moths continues to recall classic Jonestown and is a wonderful addition to their discography, as well as being a nice suggestion of what is to come with their next album release.

Days, Weeks and Moths is a return to the relatively simpler sound of early Jonestown that in a contradictory way somehow gives the impression of a full orchestra with a hypnotic chorus of ‘wooo’ in the background, reminiscent of great songs like ‘Sailor.’ The beat is heavy, but calming and steady, gradually leading you into the depth and density of the song. The song is tight for Jonestown, coming in at four and half minutes, but this is not to sacrifice any of its impact. Days, Weeks and Moths is subtle and powerful, like most Jonestown songs, with bluesy guitar riffs and a soulful edge that makes it feel like one of the more important songs ever when you’re listening to it – which is exactly how I’d describe some of my favourite Jonestown tracks. There is something languid and lazy about Days, Weeks and Moth, but at the same time it feels intense and important. This is the power of the Brian Jonestown Massacre: they maintain a perfect affinity of opposing elements in their songs that creates an interesting contrast of emotions in the listener.

On the other side of the Days, Weeks and Moths vinyl is The KVB’s single ‘Again and Again’, the band who will be supporting Jonestown during their Australian tour. The KVB are a London duo and their song ‘Again and Again’ is perhaps just as exciting as Jonestown’s single. Their sound is complex and dynamic, combining krautrock beats that recall Neu and Can, dark, melodious shoegaze in the tradition of My Bloody Valentine, and a punky gothic aesthetic in the vein of Siouxsie and the Banshees. The krautrock beat is what pushes Again and Again along and is the focal point of the song. The vocals are ambient and distant, creating a haunting atmosphere to the song and a feeling of unreality in the listener. Distorted guitar riffs and heavy synths bleed through the ethereal vocals, creating an interesting contrast. After listening to this song I am almost as excited about seeing KVB live as I am The Brian Jonestown Massacre.