June 3, 2009

Album review: Savath and Savalas - 'La Llama'

Weirdy Latin psychedelia project forgets to pack the tunes

5 / 10 Catalan folk songs and glitchy, sample-strewn electronica may not sound like the easiest fit, but Savath & Savalas have done it. ‘La Llama’ is the latest offering from Prefuse 73’s Guillermo Scott Herren and his partner Eva Puyuelo Muns, who along with recent recruit Roberto Carlos Lange have attempted to conjure up modern equivalents of South American psych records. The concept is pleasant at first, but pretty soon the repetitive nature of each soundscape – clipped beats, soft Catalan/Castellano vocals and the odd bash, pluck, bird-call and random tinkle – starts to make NME jittery. We’re ripping out clumps of hair, pleading on our knees for a hint of a hummable melody or chorus, but no can do. Meanies.

Camilla Pia

More on this artist:
Savath & Savalas NME Artist Page
Savath & Savalas MySpace

Rate this album

Average rating

Be the first to rate this album

To read all our reviews first - days before they appear online - check out NME magazine, on sale every Wednesday

For the latest music videos and backstage interviews, check out our sister site, NME Video.