Om – Variations on a Theme (Holy Mountain, 2005)
Om definitely doesn’t suck. But at the same time, that’s about all they got going for ‘em. Sure, they give up forty plus minutes of sludgy drum and bass rock music geared towards those of you that enjoy substance abuse; but interest in that cannot be sustained.
The album is aptly titled, seeing as each song exercises about the same tempo, shifts and mood. The bass-lines aren’t exactly the same, just eerily similar. If nothing else rarely in recorded music is the distortion on a bass turned up so high. The sing/speak method of vocals are employed, but frankly who can say if it’s even a worth while exertion of energy to decipher what Al Cisneros is saying.
The reason that this band was allowed and most likely encouraged to explore these exercises in sludge is resultant of the duos past musical relationship. Cisneros and drummer Chris Hakius were formerly members of the late ‘80s/early ‘90s band Sleep. Now, what Sleep is remembered for is smoking copious amounts of weed and playing really long hard rock songs, affectionately and sophomorically referred to as stoner metal. Other members have gone on to form bands including High on Fire, a current darling of hard rock connoisseurs.
Regardless, Variations on a Themeis just that. A statement reiterated as many possible ways as the duo can muster. Now there’s nothing wrong with it, but it’s not a stretch to venture playing these tunes is more entertaining then listening. Highly recommended if you’re stoned all the time and like hard rock. But, if that’s not you, then perhaps you should go pick up The Monkees reissues that Rhino put out. Killer.
