Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Binger - Roots In The RabbitHole

11/14/2014

1 Comment

 
Picture
Binger

Roots In The RabbitHole
self-released; 2014

3.8 out of 5

By J Simpson
Bands from Burlington, VT dwell in the shadow of Phish, Vermont's most famous exports, outside of Ben And Jerry's.   What is it about hippies that raise so much scorn? How can so many people love lengthy, extended grooves, while so many others will run you out of town with pitchfork and torches at the slightest defense? Binger doesn’t describe themselves as hippies, preferring "couch-surf prog band.” This reveals one of the common misconceptions of the last 30 years of jam band music with the clueless assuming that everyone just sounds like the reincarnation of the Grateful Dead. Binger has not the slightest similarities to the Dead, except for the occasional saxophone flourishes and extended song structures. Since the early '80s, jam bands have been incorporating college and guitar-centric indie rock, world music from all over, and the instrumental mastery of prog and jazz. It's the same way that Phish owes more to Frank Zappa or the Beastie Boys than the Dead.

Roots In The Rabbit Hole features all that is great and some that is not so great about the world of semi-improvised, technical rock n’ roll. First and foremost, this band can play! Braden Winslow is a shredder, that's for sure, with those high, cresting triumphant breaks that we all know and love, reflecting that moment in a concert where everyone comes together and loses their shit. The band plays comfortably in all manner of unique grooves, far removed from the world of white-bred disco backbeats. Binger occupies a rhythmical realm, somewhere between the Ivory Coast of Africa and the art schools of England. Funky, punky, deft and swinging, creating a solid seat from Shakir Stephen's rather exceptional bass playing.

Roots In The Rabbit Hole shows off some of the pitfalls of Vermont rock, as well but not too much, thankfully. There's a moment of ill-advised singsong rapping on "Crow King" and the often-questionable presence of a horn section. Thankfully, the world seems to have learned much in the 20 years since Phish's Hoist was released, as the horns on "Crow Song" sound more like a legit soul or afrobeat band than the bloated Clapton B-side pomposity of Hoist. Binger isn't merely appropriating music and stitching it to their own. They seem to legitimately understand and love music from all over and are truly multi-cultural, which is inspiring and awesome to see.

Binger seem like a band coming out of a real scene, like they have a solid following and a worked out live show and they are parting the curtains to give us a glimpse. Roots In The Rabbit Hole is a party and you're invited.

Roots In The RabbitHole shows many of the recent revisions to the jam band sound, since the turn of the century. There are moments of dark unsettling electronics ("Sequoia 2"), funkiness, funniness and soulfulness. Hopefully some will hear this and reevaluate the genre. It's more adventurous and technically proficient than your typical pop music, and raises the bar of inspiration.

For all the bedroom shredders, the jazz cognoscenti, the rappers, the burnouts; the people that can't fit in in any particular place, Binger is a port in the storm. A place where we can all come together, and learn about one another. And most importantly, dance.
Become A Fan
bandcamp
Tweet
1 Comment
Mark
11/14/2014 11:50:41 pm

Binger are awesome! I love this album, love this review!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact