On Namesake, the latest LP from Toronto-based Ten Kens, the quartet ratchet up enough oppressive gloom to cause anxiety attacks in every stoner within earshot. I almost mean that as a compliment — in fact, yes I do. Can you handle music carved from the dark recesses of one’s brooding, psychedelic mind? Titanic riff-age amidst dark-lit atmospheric meanderings your thing? Rest easy then, as you dive into the maelstrom… While it is true that Namesake does carry a hefty weight, the Canadian noise-rockers still manage to parlay their aspirations for density with more than enough melody to warrant repeated listens. Ably moving from the mysterious lulls of tracks like, “The Calm of the Car”, to the death-march-sludge of “German Purity”, Ten Kens display the versatility and focused-craftsmanship to really stick around a while. They deserve it. Namesake is a powerful statement from a band poised for their transcendence.
