Black Mountain
Wilderness Heart

LA RECENSIONE

If it is customary in music that nothing new is invented anymore and since there are only seven notes, then you should praise Black Mountain.

Since their first album, they have always exuded Black Sabbath primarily, but also Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane, PJ Harvey. Especially the previous "In the Future" was a triumph of old glories revived, with Hammond organs and Gibson guitars on full display and the voices of Stephen McBean and Amber Webber providing a backdrop. Psychedelia and hard rock are the main elements of this new "Wilderness Heart" as well, recorded mainly in Los Angeles with production by David Sardy and Randall Dunn. A well-packaged product, even defined as a pop record by drummer Well. The statement is not surprising as the prog flair of "In the Future" here is reduced to a minimum, the songs slide by despite their robust structures, but the result is that it's hard to find a memorable track, one that leaves its mark. "The Hair Song," the opening track, moves between southern hints reminiscent of Black Crowes and echoes of Led Zeppelin, the single "Old Fangs" is a curious combination of Queens of the Stone Age and Deep Purple, "Radiant Heart" is a dark and captivating folk, "Rollercoaster" is only missing Ozzy's voice, "Let Spirit Ride" is reminiscent of Motorhead, "The Way to Go" refers to Jefferson Airplane, in short, everyone can have fun like finding illustrious derivations.

The nostalgic will enjoy it, the youngsters in plaid shirts will glorify it, the indie folks will hate it. There is little to nothing new here, take it or leave it; this is the dilemma faced by an album like "Wilderness Heart," much like bands such as Pearl Jam or Black Crowes—we might be derivative, okay, but as the old and bloated Stones sang, "I know it's only rock'n'roll but I like it.."