Phil Caivano is one of those quasi-mythical figures who has managed to gain the respect of his peers, while somehow managing to remain unsullied by the business side of things. As a result, aside from his oh-so-familiar guitar work with Monster Magnet, Phil has worked alongside the likes of Hatebreed, L7 and Agnostic Front, always bringing a uniquely grungy magic to proceedings. Here, Phil has stepped out on his own for the first time, crafting a ten-track debut album that has its own character, without straying too far from the sonic character for which he’s known.
The album kicks into gear with the swirling psyche-rock of Come and Get Me, a track with a strong Magnet vibe, albeit with the tempo cranked up considerably. It’s a cracking start, with a strong live feel, and you can practically smell the leather cooking as Phil tears through the solo. Next up, Heroes takes the template and throws in a touch of Motorhead grit, Phil singing as though he’s gargled with acid, his weathered tones perfectly complimenting the hard-hitting riffs. Taking things up a gear, Now is Forever – a rock ‘n’ roll anthem with an addictive chorus and the same sense of youthful abandon that is common to all truly great rock songs. Keeping things brisk, You Will Wait may open on a towering doom riff, but it soon explodes outward, Phil layering his voice in dizzying delay in a manner reminiscent of Lupine Howl, the overall effect threatening to give the listener a contact high in the process. The first half concludes with Talk to The Dead – a crunchy rocker which, with its insistent beat and heavy groove, marks the end of a strong first side.
Kicking off the second half, Lay in The Sand has a smooth stoner vibe, that evokes images of a sunset beach strip, the haze of the day lying on the water as you draw on a spliff. Next up, the rattling psyche-punk of Verge of Yesterday has a sweet Mudhoney aspect to it, while Sick of You steals the opening riff from Bat Out of Hell before heading into doomy pastures, Phil’s voice disappearing into a time tunnel of reverb. It gives way to the swirling cyclone of sound that is Fun and Games, a full-on head trip with an apocalyptic vibe that neatly paves the way for closing number, Face the Music. Very different from the full-tilt approach adopted elsewhere, Face the Music hauls the acoustics out for a mesmerising trip that eschews drums to become the darker, weirder coda the album deserves. It’s a perfect closer, all the better for the much more intimate approach, and as it slowly collapses into a welter of feedback, you’re reminded of the likes of (Mellow Gold album closer) Blackhole – a similarly stripped back piece of music that just works its way under the skin.
Caivano’s self-titled debut is a cracking album. While the primary sonic reference is surely Monster Magnet (and, as that band’s guitarist, this is hardly surprising), elements of Mudhoney, 13th Floor Elevators, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and Motorhead all appear in the mix. It makes for a hugely enjoyable experience and, at just over thirty-five-minutes in length, it never outstays its welcome. Essential for fans of Monster Magnet, highly recommended for everyone else, Caivano is a most welcome solo effort from a quietly brilliant musician who oh-so-obviously loves what he does. 8.5/10
“CAIVANO“ Tracklisting:
1. Come And Get Me
2. Heroes
3. Now Is Forever
4. You Will Wait
5. Talk To The Dead
6. Lay In The Sand
7. Verge of Yesterday
8. Sick of You
9. Fun & Games
10. Face The Music
