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Nick Riff: Magick Museum
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Nick Riff (RIFFDISC 001)
 Nick Riff from the US started his musical career already in the late 70’s in the punk and hard rock circles. During the 80’s it was time to move on to power pop. This guy who plays fluently for example bass, electric and acoustic guitar and keyboards made a psychedelic tape in 1989 called From the Heart of Oblivion, and Delerium in the UK re-released he tape in 1991. After that Riff released two albums worth of great, psychedelic rock on Delerium in the 90’s, Freak Element and Cloak of Immortality. Since then he has also released a couple of singles and formed a live band called Nick Riff’s Freak Element. He has also been on numerous compilations. I have followed the guy’s career since 1991’s Freak Element, and I had been wondering where he had disappeared, but now Nick is back with a new release compiling his best bits along the years.
The album begins with ”Freak Element” that rocks superbly and has some tight soloing. A bit slower “Forbidden Love” rocks like hell, too. “Cloak of Immortality” has a whole backing band and also some great keyboard work. This one is also a very good song and actually quite psychedelic. The middle part is really great. Another full-band number is “Creature Feature” that is decent rock’n’roll, the single track “Mystified” on the other hand is a beautiful and touching song. “Staring into Space” is a marvellous instrumental that has some acoustic guitar and synthesiser. Nice space sounds! “Vagabond Unknown” is one of Riff’s finest songs and get the shivers go through my spine with its exquisite melodies. Also the organ work is really nice, and same goes for the bass, especially on the hypnotic, instrumental middle part. “The Other Ones” is basic Riff stuff, an okay song in any way. The percussive “Tribal Elders” is perhaps Riff’s most well-known song since it has been at least on the Delerium and Cleopatra compilations. This amazing track is a real classic in all its psychedelic glory. Apparently the second to last track on the album called “Limitless Flight” is bit older material and truly a hazy synthesiser trip into some weird place. The album is finished with a pop-spirited “Go Far- Go Wild”.
Nick Riff is the master of great melodies, and his guitar solos in particular are a real treat. Also his vocals work well and touch at least my innermost. His music that takes influences from heavy 60’s psych, pop, acid rock etc. will go down well for example with Bevis Frond fans. Magick Museum is an excellent way to update yourself with Nick’s work so far, and why not also a little reminder to his old fans of how great music the guy has made in the 90’s. I for one am really looking forward to some new stuff that Nick has been promising both in solo and band formats!
www.nickriff.com |
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