Review: Black Snake Moan ‘Lost In Time’
Not to be mistaken for the film of the same name, Italy’s Black Snake Moan is an enigma if ever there was one. The brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Marco Contestabile, Lost In Time is the latest instalment in the legacy and another trip into the world of the architects’ psychedelic blues-rock dream world.
Aside from Matteo Lattanzi, who covers some guitar and keyboard work, the remainder of the project has been created by Contestabile himself, and it’s an absolute delight of an album to listen to. It conjures up a very eclectic vibe, reminiscent of The Doors for me mostly, and is a wonderful distraction for everything else I have been listening to recently.
Lost In Time is a vibrant opus consisting of nine dreamy and uplifting songs, which inspire notions of the sixties, and seventies, and is incredibly whimsical.
I was first put on to Black Snake Moan by the wonderful multi-platform artist Samantha Stella Corpicrudi, who is an instrumental part of the band Nero Kane, and to be given the opportunity to cover the album for The Sleeping Shaman was an unmissable privilege indeed.
What I found was so much more than my initial expectations. Over the course of the thirty minutes, I felt the dramas of the world disappear as I was taken away on a mystical journey. The hazy psychedelic experience was such an otherworldly affair, that long after it had finished, I was still buzzing from it all.
Imagine, if you will, stepping back in time, to a time where musical success wasn’t governed by the internet, social media and streaming platforms. The idea of raw talent was the importance, and a want to catch on to a band, a sound, or an artist that actually moves you, without being a five-minute media wonder. Well, this is that instance, Black Snake Moan is the real deal, proof that it is all still very much alive and progressing, without the likes of TikTok as a springboard to stardom.
Right from the opening bars of Dirty Ground to the closing seconds of Cross The Border, the whole dynamic of the music is to provide a wonderfully light, summery vibe. It’s so groovy and bluesy, without being dark or depressing at any point. This is feel good music at its sublimest. It doesn’t exist to create a negative environment, but more so an uplifting internal joy.
Bliss, absolute bliss…
The aforementioned Dirty Ground sets the ball rolling with some cool blues and a groovy Americana feel. It’s upbeat and pacy, with a temperament that will fill your soul with joy. The vocal is so epically light and carefree and as it rolls across the soundtrack, it is simply divine. Light The Incense takes things and adds a level of mystery without bringing the tone down. A little darker in spirit, but without any loss in pace, this addition really shows the talent of the artist.
The one thing I take from it all, and I did mention at the start of the review, is the nudge towards The Doors, and it is not ever more evident than on track three, Come On Down. This could so easily have graced any of the early The Doors albums, from the vibe of the music to the Jim Morrison swagger on the vocals, this is a joyous thing for me to hear. Whether you are a fan of The Doors or not, this really does strike at those chords within.
Shade Of The Sun takes us away from any further The Doors comparisons and feels more like a modern track altogether. It is so lavishly warm in texture and with some eastern sounding elements throughout, it’s perfect for sunny days, and relaxing on the grass.
One track that I draw particular highlight to is Sunrise. With its energy rippling through the speakers, this is both opulent and rich. It is a happy, upbeat track, guaranteed to make you move with its yest and spirit. It’s probably one of my favourite moments on the whole album along with Come On Down. West Coast Song also brings back those warm summery feelings, with its light and airy nature.
The same can be said for Goin’ Back, which is another slab of good-weathered vibrancy and as the second half of the album plays through, it’s hard to escape the energy of Put Your Flowers, it’s vibrant and full of energy, this too will have you moving, with its upbeat nature.
What this leaves us with is the final track Cross The Border. An epic way to finish an album as it contains all the elements of every other track, all rolled into one for a perfect moment. The Morrison vocal, the spiritual mysticism, and the airy, vibrant guitar, what’s not to love? It closes the album in the most wonderful way and leaves me completely zoned out. Bliss, absolute bliss.
Label: Area Pirata Records | Echodelick Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Lee Beamish
