ALBUM REVIEW: Bongs Of Praise – Gurt

It’s fair to say that one doesn’t have to search far for hidden meanings on Bongs of Praise, the not-so-cryptically titled third album from London based party doomsters GURT. This is an album intended purely for enjoyment, adorned with the grooviest of grooves and a barrage of dirty, downtuned riffs. Where some albums aim to tackle the world’s problems head on, others try to provide escape from them and Bongs Of Praise falls very much into the latter category. 

Although hailing from the UK, there is an abundance of NOLA style sludge prevalent throughout the whole album, with many of the riffs recalling the likes of DOWN, CROWBAR and EYEHATEGOD at their bluesiest. However, as many of the titles suggest – Rolling Stoned, Jazz Cabbage, Weed It And Weep, for example – there is a lighter tone to proceedings amidst the thick and abrasive riffage.

Opener Dr Strangeleaf is an introduction to not only the album, but marijuana itself, containing a sampled description of how the drug is taken and its prevailing effects on the body. However, it’s with second track Weed It And Weep that the album bursts to life in earnest, with a cornucopia of riffs intended to melt the brain. Some fleeting guitar leads toward the end of the track lend some melodic relief too. Similarly, Rolling Stoned is an absolute monster of a track with vocalist Gareth Kelly taking centre stage, his voice effortlessly surfing the wave of riffs below. One Hit Wonder opens with a deep rattling bass line, soon accompanied by roaring drums and sinister distorted arpeggios before taking off into an absolute barnstormer of a track. 

So whilst Bongs Of Praise may not be the most cerebral album to be released this year, it does contain enough dirty sludge ridden grooves and riffs to sustain interest. Whether there is enough variety and nuance to attract new listeners is debatable but for already committed fans however there is plenty on offer here. Similarly, for the curious who are unsure where to start with GURT’s output this is as good a place to dive in as any – this is a band that play effortlessly well together and Bongs Of Praise is an album that requires the listener to do nothing but kick back and enjoy. 

Rating: 7/10

Bongs Of Praise is set for release September 6th via When Planets Collide. 

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