SPIRIT MEETS CONCEPT IN ECLECTIC RHYTHM!
September 2004
My aku aku - ozymandias
With its core
references to Thor Heyerdahl�s book Aku Aku (The Secret of Easter
Island), Percy Shelley�s acclaimed Ozymandias and a hint of Khalil
Gibran, this album is probably best described as an interactive collage
of literary inspiration and musical effervescence. Essentially a
personal project (and lifelong ambition) on Steve�s part, My Aku Aku�s
debut is boosted by guitarwork from Pierre and Trevor as well as lyrical
and vocal input from Steve�s brother, John. Recorded on John�s home
studio/PC with a no frills approach, Ozymandias is an eclectic piece of
work. Rather than directly reflecting the musician�s own musical tastes,
it blends the sum of all their parts into one hour long melting pot that
is equal parts concept album and experimental journey, all coming from
and ultimately leading to, the inner self.
The general mood of the album may not seem immediately uplifting, partly
because of the debatable concept informing the album, but it does in
fact have its fair share of optimistic flashes, namely the
self-explanatory I Want To Believe, the spirited instrumental, Eternal
Pilgrim, the progressive rhythm of Aku Aku, the soothing A Moon Is Born
and the radio-friendly vibe of Mysterious Ways. It is the positive
energy feeding these songs that balances out the monochromatic edge of
songs like Dull Urban Grey and Nostalgia, not to mention the bitter
reality of Balzacian Vultures, Neurotica and Call Of The Wild.
Musically, the album throws around many diverse references, ranging from
80s new wave to electronic beats, experimental textures to traditional
rock and anything and everything in between. The essence of the concept
dominating this Maltese band�s debut is also perfectly represented in
the cover artwork � a picture of a dog relieving itself on a
pseudo-Easter Island effigy, suggesting the insignificance of man�s
eternal struggle to be remembered even after death; it outlines the
cruel truth that so many icons end up eventually being shelved and
sidetracked and suddenly, the importance of living for the moment starts
to make more sense!
Recommended weblink:
http://www.myakuaku.com
