The biggest drawback to CD reviews is that they are based on initial impressions. As we all know opinions change over time and some CDs you absolutely love when they come out, burn out quick and are relegated to a shelf. Others that you had a lukewarm reaction to end up growing into favorites. And a few that you loved when you first heard them retain that high ground years later and become a classic staple to your personal music rotation. Bigelf's Hex was the latter for me. Way back in July of 2004 we spotlighted the European release of Hex with an artist of the month special which we are reprinted below. It's a sad state of affairs in the States however that most labels refuse to think outside the tightly controlled "trend" box. That's how we end up with hundreds of releases from marginally talented emo bands that all sound exactly the same. Luckily for us, there is a US label that finally had the vision to take on Bigelf so we can be saved from the bland offerings we are being given from everyone else.
Before we get to the reprinting of my initial reaction to Hex I do have to tell you that the album has withstood the test of time for me. The songs sit comfortably in my iPod master playlist along with classics from AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Ozzy, Judas Priest, (early) Def Leppard, ELO, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones and The Beatles. So I can honestly say that a week does not go by without Hex receiving a healthy hearing.
What about live? If you ever get the chance to see Bigelf live you owe it to yourself to do so. Even if you have to drive hundreds of miles, it's worth the trip. I'll never forget my first Bigelf live experience. It was during my birthday weekend back in March of 2005 at a Blues club in Long Beach during a double bill that featured Long Beach legend Johnny Jones and the Suffering Halos, a band that blows most other bands off the stage and few bands would have the courage to follow. This was the acid test in my eyes because I had had Hex for a number of months at this point and was constantly listening to it. But could they reproduce that excitement live? I'll just say that Bigelf brought on one of the absolute best live performances I have ever seen (and I have seen a lot). You quickly forgot that you were watching a show at a club, it was like watching a legendary band perform at The Forum. Bigelf rocked so hard that night that they literally blew up the speakers on the club's PA system! It was a show I'll never forget. I'll never forget the after party either but that's not a story I can tell publicly. =)
If you're a fan of rock, you owe it to yourself to check out Bigelf. While their sound is what some would call retro, it's actually a rather original mix of retro influences and not something to be missed. Here is that original review I told you about. Forget 5 Stars, this one goes to 11! - Keavin
Real rock never dies and Bigelf is a prime example, a band that takes seemingly unrelated past rock styles and brings them together to create their very own sound for the 21st century. Imagine if members of Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, ELO, Deep Purple and Ministry put a band together, then you will begin to get an idea of the Bigelf sonic experience.
Normally we wouldn't showcase a band with an artist of the month feature that doesn't have a US release yet, but an exception had to be made for Bigelf; one of the few bands that are worth the price of an import.
Unlike most bands that get tagged with a "retro" label, Bigelf is definitely not a band that you can pass judgment on after hearing only one or two songs. Most will want to include them in the "stoner rock" or "doom" category, but Bigelf doesn't appear to want to closely follow any single formula as their album, "Hex" demonstrates. What you get instead is a band that wears their influences on their sleeves BUT tries to take things in a different direction.
The album opens with "Madhatter", a tune that is sure to turn on any classic Sabbath fan. The riffs would do Iommi proud but again, Bigelf bring other elements to the table and ear for writing popful melodies that doesn't cross the line into pop. Not even close.
After they get your fist pounding with "Madhatter", Bigelf then take you in a totally different realm with "Bats in the Belfry II", a song that harkens to Pink Floyd but then goes off into ELO territory. Not many bands can pull off the use of a Hammond organ or a mellotron in 2004 but Bigelf make it sound fresh and innovative.
Bigelf bring you back to the heavy edge with "Painkillers" a song that mixes T-Rex with Deep Purple, only to tread back into Floyd territory with, "Disappear' a mesmerizing and fluid psychedelic tinged rocker.
They keep things on the mellower side of rock with the next song "Rock & Roll Contract", song that blasts the exploitive nature of the music business and styled in a similar way to "I'm Going Home" from Rocky Horror, only to make way for the jam session outro.
Then Bigelf returns to the fist pounding rock world with "Sunshine Suicide", a fun rocker but not one of the standout tracks on the CD. The next song, "Falling Bombs" however, is the pinnacle of Bigelf's efforts. In just under five minutes, the pull off a multi-directional mini-rock opera. Just when you think you know where the song is going, they take you off in another direction. It's a masterful execution that mixes Sabbath, Bowie and even a bit of The Who.
"Black Moth" delves a little into Zeppelin territory with the intro guitars, but then melds into different dynamics of Rainbow meets Sabbath with a little bit of Rob Zombie thrown in. Electric rock is the order of business next with "Carry the Load", a song with fat fuzzy guitar riffs.
The eerie Pink Floydish "Burning Bridges" is another highpoint for the album. A mix of dynamics that borders on the progressive. Then Bigelf bring it home with "Bats In The Belfry I", the official closing song, a perfect culmination for the album. Although the album officially ends here, Bigelf snuck a nice little bonus track gem in at the end with what sounds like a studio outtake that some fans have labeled "$".
If you're tired of all the tired packaged rock that's on the radio, you should definitely give Bigelf a listen. Especially if you're a fan of classic Sabbath, Floyd, or Deep Purple. "Hex" shot to the Top 10 of the album charts in Northern Europe for a reason, they are the real deal. A band that's not afraid to take the best elements of yesteryear's rock and bridge them into today with a highly listenable collection of songs that just might touch off a music resurgence of those styles... if a large audience is given just a little taste of Bigelf.
With the renewed interest into the foundations of hard rock recently seen in the US with groups like The Darkness, Bigelf should have a ready-made audience. However, unlike The Darkness, you won't get the annoying yodeling or campy presentation, Bigelf is far more respectful of the music that inspired them. But so far Bigelf's rock has proved too big for the narrow minded trend-mongering record execs in America. That hasn't stopped them and the band seems hopeful to land on their native shores with a release soon, but until then you can get your dose of Bigelf by purchasing "Hex" as an import or checking out the mp3s and videos at Bigelf.com. If you hunger for the days when Iommi riffed, Gillian wailed and Waters lamented, then Bigelf has got you covered. If you're too young to remember those days, check out Bigelf for something completely different from the corporate rock that rules the airwaves today. The ironic names aside, Bigelf does deliver respectable and memorable rock in a big way!
