Patrick goble - behemoth

Patrick Goble

Behemoth
PMG Records

3.9 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

Let’s start things off by saying Patrick Goble is ridiculously talented. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays awe- inspiring guitar, complex rhythmic piano progression, and has a great voice to boot. On his latest album entitled Behemoth he mixes various genres (sometimes a bit too much) that displays his talents to full effect. I didn’t know what to expect next. On one track “Transmission Condition” we have Les Claypool-inspired bass playing while the next track is a true to form cover of “Ave Maria.” The album often felt like a collection of singles displaying his fondness for different genres than a cohesive album.

The first song we are introduced to is “Behemoth” which is one of the best songs on the album. The odd time signatures, splendid piano and guitar playing, and electronic drums aren’t only technically mesmerizing but serve to create forces that display his pop sensibilities at work here. Behind the virtuoso type performances are accessible songs that don’t demand you have a degree in music to enjoy. Almost as impressive is “Jade’s Song” which contains mountainous harmonies and some sweet clean electric guitar. The next two songs were not what I was expecting and this is where he starts to lose me a bit. The technical ability on both “Ventricular Alternator” and “Transmission Condition” are incredible but lack the emotional center that was apparent on the first track. If you like Primus you will enjoy this. After a classical rendition of “Ave Maria” we are treated with the first electronic minded song entitled “Jupiter Venus Saturn You;” a solid, fun, energetic song that makes good work of arrpegiating keys in different tones. Yet another drastic change happens with “Subtle Lessons” which is the closest to folk he comes. You get treated with some warm orchestral strings on this one; bonus. The next two songs “Quartet No. 8 Expanded” and “Opus No. 29” are classical instrumental compositions while “The Banjo” contains a banjo wouldn’t you know it. Closing the album is “Cardboard Robot Theme.” It is a short instrumental composition mixing in electronic elements with angel-like voices.

Behemoth is an album that slightly suffers because of the rather unpredictable genre hopping. If you go into this album looking at it as a collection of singles you may be inclined to enjoy it a bit more. That being said the majority of these songs excel in both their creativity and technical prowess leaving little to find fault with.

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