Siena Root
Different realities
Transubstans Records
The new Siena Root album, their fourth overall, is a serious jammer, though not necessarily of the type I usually go for. Instead of the usual retro hard-rock served up in snappy 3-6 minute packages, the band stretches their chops to create two extended "suites", each about 25-minutes long and conveniently dissected into smaller tracks on CD. The first half, "We", is the more straightforward of the two and features the band in standard space-ballad mode, transitioning into a heavy tent-revival refrain before taking their their planetary caravan "in the desert", zooming "over the mountain" and coming back home again with "as we return", as each section is conveniently subtitled. It's the kind of piece that works best as a soundtrack to a long drive, not so much for casual listening. As for Suite II, "The road to Agartha" (what?), that's where they get real, let down their guard, and fly their freak-flag high. The Beatles may have embraced a bit of Eastern mysticism and indulged in a bit of sitar in their time, but they never rocked out like this with full Indian flair, dueling flute solos, copious hand-percussion implements and other non-standard rock tropes. This is where the extended format works best, where Siena Root can be as self-indulgent as they need, get it out of their system, exorcise their demons, or chase down whatever it is they're after. Likewise, I also think it's the far superior of the compositions, though again, not necessarily for easy, everyday spinning unless side-long psych-jams are your main deal (you dirty hippie). "Different realities" is nowhere near Siena Root's best album, but they were successful with their intentions and that's worth something. It won't ever end up in my steady rotation, but I plan to enjoy it whenever the proper occasion should arise (again, see: road trips).
- Avi Roig
