“Swamp rock, death rock, Gothic post-punk…?” As Inca Babies say themselves, they’re not easy to pigeonhole. But, as ever, all that matters with a new album is “is it any good?”. Well, just as 2024 is coming to an end, this is another release that should be in your Top Ten of the year. Thankfully, I’d seen drummer Rob Haynes’ online post, proudly holding a vinyl copy of ‘Ghost Mechanic Nine’.
And the band should be proud. I’ll admit to being more familiar with Rob’s ‘other’ bands; Membranes and Gold Blade. And there’s some shared DNA with Membranes’ dark, brooding tunes here, though the riffs are perhaps more of a rock nature. I dived in, with no expectations, always useful. I was hooked straight away, from the title track onwards. There’s something here for fans of The Gun Club, Kid Congo and the aforementioned Membranes. I’m also reminded of Bone-Box, another link to Gold Blade, and it’s a relief that bands like this still exist.
I’m probably guilty of overusing “hypnotic”, but the tunes here really do get under your skin. ‘Insect Symphony’ being a prime example, with a lyrical nod to The Cramps and a way with a tune that recalls The Righteous Mind. ‘Augustus Tympan’ slinks along, dirty bass line and angular guitar, and ‘I’m Stayin Put’ has another upfront bass melody from Jim Adama. Harry Stafford has a great line-up here, it’s just tight enough while keeping a groove throughout.
‘The Exhaust Of Broken Dreams’ adds organ to the sound, it’s like a dream of Ennio Morricone twinned with The Specials. Special, indeed. ‘Spacewalk’ brings the twang, a darker version of The Hillbilly Moon Explosion, and ‘Mercury Is Down’ is punchier, a dark tale, “time to take a heavy ride…”
‘Deck’ is a shipwreck lament hooked to yet another effective bass line. It’s nice to hear the bass up in the mix, the interplay between bass and guitar across the album is one of its strengths. ‘Opium Dub’ broadens the soundscape, Spaghetti Dub, perhaps?
I don’t know what long term followers of the band will make of it. I have yet to explore their back catalogue. But with this, their ninth album, they have a new fan. Judged on its own merits, it’s a dark gem.
Author: Martin Chamarette
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