Sound the Horn

As I had previously posted a few weeks ago, Totimoshi's new album, "Milagrosa," is a strong contender for album of the year. I honestly can't remember the last time that I have heard an album from a band that was new to me, that has stuck with me like this one. I can't get enough of the album and have listened to it over and over and over again since getting it, and has not lost a bit of its classic feeling. On their myspace page they have a quote, "The Melvins had Houdini, Totimoshi has Milagrosa," referring to what many consider to be the classic Melvins album, and they have gone beyond those boundaries. While The Melvins are a huge influence on Totimoshi's sound, they are so much more than what the Melvins accomplished with Houdini. Milagrosa (Spanish for "Miracle worker") sees Totimoshi stepping into realms of music previously untouched upon in their first four albums. These strides into new territory couldn't have sounded better as this album will without a doubt go down as a classic amongst those who have the sense to hear it. With so much music coming and going in the current state of the music industry, this is an album that all rock music fans should give a chance, and you will not regret it!

Totimoshi hail from Alameda, California and have been making albums for nearly ten years. They recently signed to Volcom records in time for the release of Milagrosa. Their sound is difficult to describe as they share many influences, but most prominent is the aforementioned Melvins, only with a far more accessible melodic quality more among the lines of the Queens of the Stone Age. Combine that with punchy guitar and bass blasts, the similarly hard pounding Melvins-esque drums, and a strong Latin influence that adds to their sound's uniqueness. Singer/guitarist Tony Aguilar's melodies are incredibly powerful and fulfilling as they compliment the often wandering guitar lines. Imagine stoner rock fuzz mixed with a jam band's desire to, well, jam, and their sound begins to become more clear.

The production team on this album helps to further cement the desired sound, as created by some exceptionally experienced hands. Page Hamilton of Helmet fame serves as the albums producer, while Toshi Kasai joined the squad as engineer. Kasai has been a long time engineer for the Melvins, and knows the thick thudding atmosphere traveled by both bands very well. Hamilton was able to add in some extra guitar lines and background vocals to the mix, creating a full sound of epic proportions. This doesn't mean that the music is polished by any means however. The production is still very minimalist, and works in the bands favor.

The album is somewhat of a concept album, as Tony describes it as, "I wrote most of the songs as an imaginary fight between love/compassion and hate/violence. I wanted to relay the stories as one choice versus the other both in the lyrics and melody." The ride this creates for the listener goes wild from slow, heavy, punchy songs to folk infused introspection, to full out upbeat explosions of hard rock soul. Their new drummer, Chris Fugitt has finally given Totimoshi a drummer that is worthy to accompany long term bassist Meg Castellanos in the rhythm side of things. He creates a crisp percision to each song that holds everything together, no matter what speed they happen to be playing in. Sonically, the bursts of wild guitar found on tracks like "Sound the Horn," "Milagroso," and "The Whisper" are reminiscent of Led Zeppelin's mid-era catalog.

"Sound the Horn," is a very strong opener to the album, as it showcases pieces of all that's to come. A winding track filled with incredible syncopation between Tony and Meg's playing that is as fluid as any band out there. "Fall and Bound," and "El Emplazado," are shorter songs, with a very punchy attack to them while still maintaining a strong emotional sensibility. Choppy breaks and riffs compliment soaring solos and intricate drum patterns on both these tracks. "Last Refrain," has a slower tempo than the previous tracks, but a melody that is undeniably powerful. The hook is chased by angular guitar blasts and a doomy yet breezy atmospheric quality. Intensity is mixed in and out of the track for a stunning rock composition.

"The Seeing Eye," is a more Melvins influenced track that reminds the listener of the aggression that Totimoshi is capable of bringing. With a Latin based guitar line, this song delves into the slow stomping grungy stoner rock arena, creating further texture to the album as a whole. Still very much melodic, they pick up the intensity without losing the flow or theme. Directly after comes "Milagroso," the most upbeat, even funky at times, track on the record. The chemistry between the three members is evident here, especially as Tony nosedives into the guitar solo after the bridge. Totimoshi are taking themselves to new heights, and this song proves they deserve to be noticed and appreciated as one of the best current rock bands. "Forever in Bone," is an acoustic, calming, folk influenced number reminiscent of a haunting ghost tale. Tony sings with his most sincere and disparate voice, both beautiful and foreboding at the same time. "The Whisper," quickly brings the bombastic sound of the album back with an anthemic wave of sound. This track is anything but whispered, as the chorus is very demanding and attention grabbing. This track always reminds of a mix of the huge stadium rock of the 80s, with the furious discourse of the best hard rocking bands of the 90s.

"Gnat" is another heavily punchy guitar/bass attack. With extreme pounding drums, this track serves to keep the metal heads and headbangers happy. The layering of guitars towards the end is a great contrast between the short punchy rhythm of the rest of the song. "Little Bee" and "Dear" close out the set continuing the fight between love, compassion, hate, and violence both in lyrics and music, with a slower more reflective sense. Totimoshi have created what I consider to be a damn near perfect album, and I hope everyone else will enjoy it too! You can catch them on tour this August/September with Nebula across America!! For more information and to hear some of these songs, please visit them at www.myspace.com/totimoshi.

ALBUM IS IN STORES NOW!