Amen Dunes – Through Donkey Jaw (Sacred Bones)

First impression listening to Through Donkey Jaw was “Great. More lo-fi droning boredom,”. Halfway through the lead track, “Baba Yaga”, I reconsidered my stance. The song was a slow starter but it came on in a most triumphant way with lone Amen Dunes member Damon McMahon really belting it out by the end. Enthusiasm garnered. The next track was okay but I’m still hopeful. With the great instrumentation on “Swim Up Behind Me”, I’m really getting into this. Then comes a mediocre instrumental interlude. Excitement still not waning. “Not A Slave,” is a bit of psychedelic excellence. I swear I even hear a sitar. This is Velvet Underground aping done really well. At this point, this record is fully being dug. Then, the rug gets pulled out from under and the wool from over my ears (?) as McMahon’s experimental side plays havoc with my senses. “Jill,” comes on like No Wave with a side of no way. It’s just a pointless ruckus. “Sunday,” is the epitome of the droning that I had dreaded, just monotonous and painful.

The rest of the record consists of decent tracks but none come close to conjuring up the wonder I experienced in the first third. If this was an EP of the first five songs, it would be magic. But the remaining nine tracks drag the whole album into the mire.

Amen Dunes, “Not A Slave” by The FADER