When you think of "stoner rock," an image of a bunch of hairy biker dudes jamming away on Gibson SGs usually immediately comes to mind. But there's a new breed of stoner bands favoring succinct songs and robotic sounds (à la vintage
Can) over indulgent jamming -- including three chaps who hail from Stockholm, Sweden, and go by the name
Matadors. And for the most part, this is the approach that the trio embraces on its 2007 release,
Flame the Whisper. "Robot rock" is the name of the game on such as amusingly titled ditties as the album opening "21st Century Monotony Disco" and "New Wave Coke." But
Matadorsaren't merely one-dimensional, as they also incorporate a bit of country twang on "The Duel," and you can guess what style of music they digest and spit out on "Tango de la Muerte." It's always nice to discover a rock band more interested in coming up with its own style and approach, rather than merely being content trying to obtain "one-hit wonder" status. And with
Flame the Whisper it's official --
Matadors are a group to keep an eye on. ~ Greg Prato