PUREST SPIRITUAL PIGS

"Purest Spiritual Pigs"

Clandestine Works Records - 2007

CDr

This 20-minute CDr EP marks the debut of a very intriguing and promising new band, going under the bizarre name of Purest Spiritual Pigs. We're actually talking about the solo work of Minneapolis-based Helena Thompson, who has a certain curriculum with groups from New York to California, most interestingly with Her Majesty The Baby. This new creature actually, as explained in the biography, aims to be more than a simple music project and involve other people on different levels and aspects of art. For the moment, anyway, we can enjoy this excellent first taste of its capacities.

There are five songs on the disc, each showing a different side of Helena's personality and interests. Opening "Burnt Through" is a sensual trip hop-like track, which reminds a bit of early His Name Is Alive, but with their cold and ghostly atmospheres replaced by flaming pulsations. "M.J.R." is a great dark acoustic ballad, where Helena gives proof of her excellent vocal talent in the vein of Jarboe and PJ Harvey. Even more interesting are "Remains" and "Picking Myself Up", disturbing and attracting at the same time, built around granitic and noisy electric guitars and exciting vocals. Final "Blood-let" is the most experimental of the five, using various rhythms, electronic effects and a more tense singing.

We could place Purest Spiritual Pigs alongside some of the most inspired American bands of the 1990s', like the aforementioned His Name Is Alive or Swans, in that undefined area which crosses art rock, post-rock and experimental frontiers. A striking debut and a sure promise for the future.

- Simon V.

Website: http://www.purestspiritualpigs.com

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/purestspiritualpigs