The Hidden Hand--Divine Propaganda
MeteorCity 2003
The old saying goes "you can't keep a good man down." Never has this cliche rung more true than on the first album from The Hidden Hand, Divine Propaganda. Our hero, Wino, sure didn't wast any time after the disbanding of Spirit Caravan in getting back on the proverbial horse. Along with his new mates, he has crafted one of the best, and perhaps most diverse, albums on his already spotless resume.
That said, there isn't an apparently huge difference between the music on Divine Propaganda and what Wino did with Spirit Caravan. This is still ultimately the best doom rock you can get, directly from the master. However, discerning listeners will find a slight stylistic shift upon close attention to the subtleties within these songs. The Hidden Hand sees Wino unleashing the most progressive and psychedelic music of his career, as well as his most punk and doomy cuts since the Obsessed days. The reason for this has a great deal to do with his lead work here---his solos are often sprawling and wide-open on this album due to the psych forms they're based on which, in effect, slow everything else down just a hair more, increasing the doom quotient. Again, these elements aren't going to beat you over the head but they're in there.
Songwritng-wise, Divine Propaganda is everything you'd expect from something Wino had a hand in--utterly flawless. Highlights include "Sunblood," its laid-back verse, heavy "chorus" riff, and psych-leaning solo combining to cultivate a bit of a Blue Cheer vibe. The doomiest cut would have to be "The Hidden Hand (theme)" with its plodding verse and Sabbath-esque opening beats, while "Screw The Naysayers" grabs the crown for Divine Propaganda's punk-leaning material. Spirit Caravan fans will surely love "The Last Tree," thanks to a nicely grooved riff. Plus, don't let that part before about some of the solos being more spare scare you off--Wino goes apeshit all over the place here like only he can. It's a nice balance.
There was never any question The Hidden Hand or Divine Propaganda were going to be great--only how great. As it turns out, Divine Propaganda is Wino's best album since Spirit Caravan's Jug Fulla Sun (which is one of the best albums ever, in case you didn't know). This is the next logical progression from what he was doing before. It feels like everything else the guy has done--essential and better than anything else of its kind. Get it now.
Score this CD directly from METEORCITY
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