Album Notes

BAMBARA is a 3-piece band from Athens, GA consisting of Reid Bateh (guitar/lead vocals), brother Blaze Bateh (Drums/Vocals), and William Brookshire (Bass/Vocals).

"The eponymously titled debut release from local three-piece Bambara is pretty damn good. Though the band has been playing together since early 2001, it wasn't until October 2007 that the boys finally emerged from the shadows and began playing out, opening for the likes of A. Armada and Cinemechanica.

This newest offering sounds emotionally charged and musically mature after six years of honing their craft. What unfolds from the speakers is an engulfing and often engaging blend of aggressive post-rock and psychedelic ambience. The noticeable influences of bands like Fugazi and Slowdive are hard to miss considering all the dissonant chords and fuzzed-out guitar melodies.

Though at times the music itself can be sparse, lead singer Reid Bateh more than makes up for it with his startling voice, sounding a bit like Jim Adkins channeling Cedric Bixler-Zavala. One such example of this would be the hauntingly gorgeous "Morning Dye" where the quiet instrumental provides a hushed background against Bateh's rising and falling falsetto before lunging into a ferocious assault of pummeling drums, thunderous bass and blistering guitar.

"Someone's Ghost" is another surprising gem; a rather jazzy melody superimposed over atmospheric noise, tribal drumming and anthemic lyrics.

Judging from this debut release, Bambara would certainly put on a hell of a show. The production on this album leaves nothing to the imagination; in fact, this recording could've been a live show and no one would be the wiser.

All in all, Bambara's debut album is amazingly good; 10 tracks and all of them cleverly arranged and musically intriguing. This will make someone's "year-end" list!" -Charley Lee, Flagpole Magazine