BIG ELF – MONEY MACHINE – 2000 (US) space rock/heavy progressive/stoner rock

In 1996 BIGELF released one of the strongest debut albums I've heard in recent years. It was a 6 track CD entitled "Closer To Doom", and it sounded like a blast from the past. Their music was a genuine mixture between ATOMIC ROOSTER, The BEATLES (look for the black & white photo of The BEATLES on the Marshall amplifier on the front cover), BLACK SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE, JELLYFISH, KING CRIMSONi and URIAH HEEP, produced by Sylvia Massy (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS etc.). They were later signed to the Swedish Record Heaven label, where they released "Closer To Doom" as a 10 track full-length album (the 6 track CD + 4 bonus tracks). "Closer to Doom" has been spinning a lot in my CD player since then, and it has become one of my favorite albums (and my brother's too actually). We have been waiting for a follow-up for a long time, and now it's finally here, entitled "Money Machine". The new album follows the same musical direction as its processor. All the ingredients are here: the 60's-70's sound with lots of vintage keyboards such as Hammond organs, Mellotrons and Moogs, the BEATLES melodies and vocal harmonies, the SABBATH-like riffing and the good compositions and arrangements. Right from the opening title track you recognize the BIGELF-sound, and you find yourself head banging and humming along with this heavy tune. It's followed by "Sellout" which is another great track. "Side Effects" are my personal favorite on this album. "(Another) Nervous Breakdown" has been released as a single from this album. "Mindbender" and "Ironheel" are two other highlights. There's also a great version of ATOMIC ROOSTER's "Death walks behind you". The closing ballad "The Bitter End" is another one of my favorites. BIGELF are one of the best bands in recent years. Get this one as well as the debut album into your record collection.

Damon Fox: vocals, keyboards, bass guitar
A.H.M. Butler-Jones: vocals, guitar
Froth: drums
1. Money Machine
2. Sellout
3. Neuropsychopathic Eye
4. Side Effects†
5. (Another) Nervous Breakdown†
6. Mindbender
7. Ironheel
8. Death Walks Behind You†
9. The Bitter End

This album is one of the most derivative you could imagine. It's a palese mix of The Beatles', King Crimson's and Black Sabbath's sounds, harmonies and styles, with some passages directly copied and pasted from these groups' songs.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! MONSTER!!!
Rip from CD 256@ (full artwork included)
Download link
http://link-protector.com/283261/