This Turkish band create music of cosmic intent and complex interplay, combining improvisatory rock, psych and freakbeat
Hometown: Ankara, Turkey.
The lineup: Ozum Itez (electric guitar), Isik Sarihan (percussion), Hazar Mutgan (bass).
The background: Have we done a Turkish psychedelic rock band before in this column? If we have, it was surely a long time ago, in which case we sincerely apologise for being remiss in leaving it so long. Hayvanlar Alemi ? which means "the world of animals" in Turkish, but don't worry, you'll glean nothing there ? are a four-piece operating at the interface between improvisatory rock, psych, folk and freakbeat. Are freakbeat and psych the same thing? Again, we need to check. Operator, get us Jon Savage, quick.
We sort of know where we are today: we've got the co-ordinates, even if the map's a bit blurry. We're in the domain of the drone, the area of the extrapolated solo, the meandering jam, the instrumental freak-out. This is music to head-nod to, music of cosmic intent and complex interplay. The extent to which it draws on Turkish idioms is unclear, although there are textures, tones and timbres being purveyed that obviously have their provenance in Ankara and environs. It would take all week to explore their vast catalogue of free self-released CDs (plus two official albums, the first sold online here and the recent follow-up, Guarana Superpower ? and we don't even want to talk about their Hayvanthropological Field Recordings Series). Luckily we have a press release that tells us everything we need to know about a band that venture every which way, from "west African blues to pulsating Thai rhythms, surf rock to post-punk head trips".
Here's what we make of them: Neptune Sunset Casino is positively Tom Verlaine-ish, like something from side one of Television's Marquee Moon (namely, Marquee Moon), although we'd be the first to admit that our knowledge of acid-tinged instrumental derring-do isn't as extensive as it might be and that there is probably going to be a far more accurate series of reference points than this. Then again, listening to another track, Med Cezlr, we defy anyone out there to suggest a more pertinent comparison than the Byrds' sizzling raga-rock circa Eight Miles High and The 5th Dimension album. Pet Sisede Cin Tonik is completely different ? think Eurasian ska, as though a bunch of musicians in a bazaar had decided to do frankly berserk things to Madness' Night Boat to Cairo. Ineffable Dresscode, like Neptune Sunset Casino, is one of few tracks by the Alemi with an English title. Not that they reveal much. Neither do the lyrics, mainly because there aren't any. That instrument rings a bell, though ? or rather, plucks a string. Never mind the balalaikas? Oh, they're Russian.
The buzz: "They ooze the alternative history of rock'n'roll from every pore" ? The Wire.
The truth: We're all Guarana summer holiday ? to Turkey, via deep space.
Most likely to: Affect cognition.
Least likely to: Do the nutty dance.
What to buy: Guarana Superpower is available now on Sublime Frequencies. Hayvanlar Alemi play the Barbican on Friday 13 May.
File next to: Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, Television.
Links: myspace.com/hayvanlaralemi.
Tuesday's new band: Sound of Rum.
Karolína Kurková Laura Harring Naomi Watts Leonor Varela Joanne Montanez
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