Evolving from the ska-influenced ‘Halfway Between Here and There’ back in ‘99, weathering the Drive Thru storm and, come 2009, morphing into a genre-defying behemoth of a band with their fifth studio album, ‘Mandala’.
While many bands' sounds remain stagnant and others try to force a new musical direction (*ahemBrandNewahem*), RX Bandits have made an effortless progression into the alt-rock arena including epic six minute masterpieces ‘Bring Our Children Home’ and ‘Bled To Be Free’.
If you thought they reached their pinnacle with third album, ‘The Resignation’, you'd be gravely mistaken. 'Mandala’ reaches even greater heights and cements them at the top of their game. Truly an album by music lovers for music lovers, with beautifully constructed, lovingly thought-out and perfectly arranged songs. To fleetingly skip through these would be nothing less than sacrilege.
Despite ten years worth of change, Matt Embree has remained the band's constant in every sense, vocally anchoring the music through Mandala's frequently shifting time sequences (hear 'Hope is a Butterfly, No Net it's Captor...') and languages ('Mientras La Veo Sonar).
If only more bands could be as brave, original and absolute master musicians (their talent even more clearly demonstrated live on stage).
From start to finish, ‘Mandala’ is polished and inspirational.
RX Bandits: Mandala (special thanks to Darren for the spice)
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