Red Eye Caravan – Nostrum Remedium

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Well, this one is certainly different. REDEYE CARAVAN came into being from somewhat occultish beginnings. Akis Kosmidis and Valantis Dafkos were sitting by a fire, enjoying some whiskey as Kosmidis played guitar. Dafkos indicates that in the smoke of the fire he felt the presence of long lost souls feasting and dancing. Legend has it that one of the bolder souls took the opportunity to whisper in Dafkos' ear secret tales of all the trials the collective souls had lived through to end up wandering as they were. Compelled by this gift of information, and knowing they must act on it, Dafkos and Kosidis set out for the nearest settlement.

Here, they heard rumors of an alchemist, one that collected melodies, and ultimately providing them shape, form and consistency. That alchemist was Panos Makoulis. Deciding that Kosmidis and Dafkos had tales worth mingling with his collected melodies, Makoulis joined the duo in order to recount the stories of the lost souls. On their journeys the trio joined with orcle Eleni Paraskevopoulou, violinist Thanos Giamarelos, and Stefanos Stroggylis' harmonica, and finally Paris Gatsios and his rhythmic magic.

So, as I said, this is something really different. Think Stoner Blues Rock, with a bit of a gypsy feel, mixed with a spaghetti western dusting. If you're expecting heavy riffage, you won't find it. REDEYE CARAVAN has a very bluesy feel throughout, one that travels with leisure rather than urgency. Tactful guitar work instead of wailing fretboard work. “Nostrum Remedium” (defined as 'secret folk medicine') is an album closer in genre to Americana or roots music than Heavy music, particularly with it's violin (sorry, I hear it being more fiddle than violin) and rolling saloon style piano. As such may not appeal to fans of harder edged music. Still, I found it fascinating overall. It's an album that's going to take more listens to fully unlock all it's secrets, and even then there will likely be a few elusive ones that will haunt me. If you're looking to branch out into uncharted territory, and discover something new, give REDEYE CARAVAN a try.

Songwriting: 8
Musicianship: 9
Memorability: 8
Production: 8