ALBUM REVIEW By SAM SCARPELLI
2015 SEPTEMBER 21
Part of the Butterfly charm is their unique combination of styles and
influences. Doug Ingle sings in a way that is at once incredibly soulful and
maybe over the edge, combined with his ethereal cathedral style organ wailing.
The drums are played in a way that seems to accentuate every other instrument,
providing the perfect backbone for the band and especially the bass, which
seems to weave with clarity through it all in a whirlwind of melodies. As the
final touch on a painting which ties it all together, there is the impressive
guitar work of Erik Braunn which is
both psychedelic and classical. “Ball” is always the album I run to when I want
to share an example of exceptional
musicianship.
Everyone in the rock
world is familiar with the song “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” and while it may be iconic
it has also overshadowed the depth of Iron Butterfly’s catalog, which is
generally much more refined. “Ball” as an album has all of the spooky charm of
their blockbuster hit packed in to a handful of shorter tracks that are more
easily digestible. Noting on the mix of the album, I would recommend listening
on vinyl, as the CD mix is quite different, though arguably more clear. On
another note, I always appreciated the subtle wit of the album title,
representing both the shape of a ball and also “having a ball,” exemplified
further in the band photo on the inner sleeve of the album.
Vocals, Organ Drums Bass Guitar | DOUG INGLE
RON BUSHY
LEE DORMAN ERIK BRAUNN |
01 In the Time of Our Lives
02 Soul Experience 03 Lonely Boy 04 Real Fright 05 In the Crowds 06 It Must Be Love 07 Her Favorite Style 08 Filled With Fear 09 Belda Beast |