Black Midi albums

 Band Members:

 Geordie Greep (guitar, vocals), Cameron Picton (bass, vocals),

Morgan Simpson (drums), Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin (guitar, vocals, 2017-21)

Biggest Influences:

King Crimson, Pere Ubu, Primus, Sonic Youth, Tapes N Tapes, Rolo Tomassi, The Residents

2019

Schlagenheim - 92%

      The members of Black Midi view rock n roll as a bit of joke, which it is, so its nice to hear youngster's that really get it. Of all the over hyped British next big things over the years, this band is deserving of their accolades. If practice makes perfect then BlackMidi must have practiced their asses off because the endless tempo changes of opener "953", the wild spasms of "Near Dt, MI”, and thoughtful progressive rock of "Ducter" are not easy accomplishments. Even better, the Pere Ubu-esque chants of "Bmbmb" are something that I always enjoy in rock music, a simple riff of an idea made more and more complex by creative musicians, while repeating over and over “She moves with a purrrrpose!”. "Speedway" owes something to Sonic Youth, the way the atonal guitars mix with a lively rhythm section over a whispering Lee Renaldo style poetry.

"Western" echoes some amazing King Crimson / Robert Fripp guitar style acrobatics, with Adrian Belew lyrics (“ in anteater town after anteater town”). Singer Gordie Greep is a nice mix of David Bryne and Les Claypool, while drummer Morgan Simpson does an amazing job of keeping everything at a steady pace despite the haphazardness of the arrangements. Schlagemhaim is an album made for rock music adventurers, and it’s amazingly consistent. Sure, maybe this will be the only great album they ever make but even if that's the case what an awesome mind-blowing experience it is. The potential for this group of musicians, even more so.

Greatest Songs: Western, 953, bmbmbm

2021

Cavalcade - 78%

       The band’s second album finds them in somewhat of a transitional moment. It opens with “John L”, which is one of the most insane and complicated single in rock music history- it has a repetitious pattern that shows off the best of 70’s era King Crimson meets Primus for sure but it is unique at the same time, quite the beast of a song. Black Midi are a band that definitely combines their vast influences and tries to find something new, “Chrondomalacia Patella” is another keen example of a mixture of styles, though a little softer than the album’s opening epic. That might be the determining factor to this record for most people, “John L” with all of its musical and lyrical complexities is so good, the rest of the album slightly pales in comparison. Still, there are moments of genius throughout, the weird rambles of “Hogwash and Balderdash” and the long complexities of “Ascending Forth” and “Diamond Stuff” recall the greatness of their debut. Walking that line between the accessible short songs and meandering longer ones is the tightrope all experimental band’s walk. I am glad they are staying vigilant walking it.

Best Songs: John L, Chrondomalacia Patella, Hogwash and Balderdash

2022

Hellfire - 84%

         The third album by the band is the most uniform sounding one they have done yet. There is less 'oh lets see what happens on the next track' and more of a style all their own. They took the best parts of their debut and Cavalcade and made something that it doesn't really sound like they should make yet. Young aspirations of an album by an experienced King Crimson, trying to make jazz fusion though it took Miles Davis 40 years of playing to get there. Ambition often pays off though, and certain tracks work on a level they didn't before- " Welcome to Hell" has an intimacy that serves as the most accessible track and "Eat Men Eat" is sort of perfect in hashing out their thrashing rhythms. "Sugar/Tzu" and brief opener "Hellfire" are definitely at the forefront to alienate those not already converted to their strange cult.
       On certain longer tracks the band also shows a certain mastery of their fusion if all genres. "Still" is a new version of music, a sort of amalgam of everything that has come before but less a wild animal and more tamed beast. "27 Questions" leaves everything open to interpretation, constantly shifting and morphing into another song after song, with classical music aspirations. As always, singer Geordie Greep lyrics are an acquired taste to say the least, and if his mad ramblings remind one of Primus by way of Wire, well there is nothing wrong with that in my book. At least he sings more this time around.
        The album is divided neatly into two halves, eight full length tracks and really suit each other. This band has little in common with the more accessible music of the day; their parent are Rolo Tomassi and The Residents. Every member is amazing at their instruments, but drummer Morgan Simpson really impresses this time and percussion master and composer. It's not perfect, but its beautifully imperfect. If Hellfire proves anything, it's that this band is CAPABLE of anything....give them time and eventually they will win you over.

Best Songs:  Welcome to Hell, 27 Questions, Eat Men Eat, Still