God Intentions is Glasgow-based Helicon’s third full-length release and comes to us via @FuzzClubRecords. This one is a rocker for the most part, but there are also some more quiet, subtle moments. The record has already received a lot of notoriety by reaching the UK charts. This one is loaded with all kinds of significant contributions. There are powerful keyboards, a string section, a piano, loads of reverb and tremolo, and some nice bass-driven tracks. There is definitely a lot going on here. “Château H” is practically a dance tune with its solid groove. “Heliconia” puts us in familiar territory with its heavy use of sitar. “Disobey” has a different feel with its melancholy surf tones. Whiplash is one of the outstanding tracks on this release with its fierce guitars, and it’s a shame it’s only two minutes. The title track takes us in a different direction with its sullen piano work, giving the piece a cinematic feel. “Last Tango in Glasgow” keeps the pace slow with piano, slide guitar, and some industrial sounds for ambiance. Except for the 38-second outro, “Tae the Moon, ” the standout tune here, closes things out on a raucous note with its seven-minute sound barrage.
Overall, this is a solid release. I think it excels when the pace is more uptempo. I saw Helicon live a couple of years ago, and I am not sure how the slower pieces would work into a set. It’s an ambitious effort that takes the band into some new directions. Hopefully, I’ll see them again during next year’s Spring festival season.
Released by Fuzz Club
