E.P. review by Toxic Pete!

Black Market Karma - EP - Black Market Karma





Black Market Karma are one of the few bands about that are taking their music almost entirely down the psychedelic route. Nowt wrong with that. In fact, I applaud Black Market Karma for their guts cuz many still see psychedelic music as being retro and very 60's. Quite why I don't know cuz this kinda music, to me, offers much more 'feel' and warmth than the more obvious, run-of-the-mill indie rock that we've been bombarded with now for several years.







For me psychedelia aint retro, it's a valid and viable genre in today's fickle marketplace and there's absolutely no reason why Black Market Karma shouldn't do very well with it. Ok, it's gotta be good and it's gotta be very appealing but I feel Black Market Karma match the criteria, and some! This is a really damn fine EP; only three tracks maybe but very tempting they are and show that this is indeed a workable form for now and the future.


Reminding me a little of Kula Shaker (hey, that's cool for me!) in the way they build just enough Eastern promise into the hefty folds of soaring, searing rock riffs and maintain their 'heady' but particularly likeable rock undertones. Lazy sounding vocals add even more mysticism to the formula as soft but metronomic percussion and gentle but somehow cutting pulsing bass lines add an element of intrigue and sensitivity to the already transcendental melee. Black Market Karma rock as they soothe; this EP can be played low and quiet to generate a nicely relaxed state but it also stands up well at much higher dbs to quicken the mood with its powerful earthy 'flavour' - good work this!!


Black Market Karma should be congratulated for taking this slightly less popular rock route; their psychedelic ramblings are much motivating than most of the more obvious indie rock releases out there but their sense of adventure and electrifying mysticism is mega-captivating in its relative uniqueness and much more compelling than much of the indie blandness of their contemporaries. Black Market Karma score big points with me for their chosen musical 'route'; I love this EP and look forward to perhaps hearing Black Market Karma on a bigger work in the form of a full-blown album. Most enjoyable, moody yet inspiring!


Peter J Brown aka toxic pete (www.toxicpete.co.uk)