Six Organs Of Admittance - School of the Flower - LP (2005)

Labels: Drag City
Review by: Chris Bress

I’ve been following Six Organs for a while now and had just recently discussed how a label like Sub Pop, Domino or Drag City should sign him up, and then they do!

It kicks off with the wonderful “œEighth cognition / all you’re left”, which opens with beautiful drones held over free jazz drum work-outs. It falls back into the style Ben is most known for, playing gorgeous guitar parts which are similar to some of John Renbourn’s records, such as parts of “œThe Hermit”, and obviously some of John Fahey’s playing. Ben Chasnay’s playing is different however, it sounds like Renbourn and Fahey but it can also resemble Michael Cashmore (from Current 93, who Ben Chasnay has played with on various occasions).

This new record shows just how easy he makes it look switching from drug-fuelled psyche-outs to Summertime folk songs like “œWords for two” (which Devendra would kill for) and short tracks which are as dark as prime Popol Vuh. The beginning of “œHome” sounds very close to Cornelius’s amazing song writing, and judging by the quality of this record maybe Ben can get to Cornelius’s status without being in a boy band (and Comets On Fire don’t count).