At times The Desert Fathers seem to want to experiment with a sound that is often associated with satanic rock (guttural angry vocals, pounding baselines, and heavy guitar, i.e track 7) and make it into Jesus rock. But that is only part of what they do. Their foundation is a guitar laden, messy, but studio polished rock, which wavers between metal, glam and indi rock traditions. What this really is is experimental rock and a concept album. So what is the concept? I wouldn’t call this Christian Rock, as it isn’t in your face about praising God. Aside from the gaudy Christian packaging, the only real signs on the album of Christianity are their experimentation with Gregorian chants and a mocking and moronic retelling of evolution that runs between tracks 3 and 4. It may be ironic, but I just don’t know. The lyrics are sparse, abstruse and odd – much of the vocals are melodic moaning. There is this early idea of “falling out of a plane,” which might explain the unfocused thematic feel of the rest of the album. The last track (10) is good experimental rock. Six, is interesting as well, with chants and mellow electronics. The famous Steve Albini (Nirvana/Pixies/N.Nastasia) produced this, and I can give a nod to the production, however, this album didn’t do much for me. If you’re really into experimental rock or Albini or Jesus you might find something I missed. Matt M.

Play this song *
1. Down-tempo - this is a slow loop of odd choral chanting 2:00.
2. Up-tempo – fairly loud pulsating electric guitars – indi-rock sound. It sort of ends, he says “I think I’ve fallen out of a plane,” and then a short new song finished the track.
3. Mid-tempo – sort of a cross with 80s English pop and Shellac – there are some guttural vocals. Very heavy bass line and erratic guitar. Ends early and then weird noise and moronic vocals that tell a story mocking evolution.
4. He finishes the evolution story and then there is a 1:37 messy rock song with moaning.
5. Mid-tempo – begins with a short audio that I also think is moronic. The rock song is not bad – mostly an instrumental
6. Down-tempo – Pulsing electronic sound bed and Gregorian chants – mellow.
7. Up-tempo – More guttural vocals, this time growling as to sound like a pitbull – the barking comes in every so often. Without the barking, this might be a decent rock song.
8. Mid-tempo – 2:00 rock instrumental – a little spacey – melds into the next track.
9. Mid-tempo – a somewhat radio friendly song – not many vocals, but nice for atmospheric mood.
10. * Mid-tempo – this is kind of cool – there is a noise loop with electric guitar splashes and mellow moaning.