| God Is Good | ||
|---|---|---|
 | ||
| Studio album by Om | ||
| Released | September 8 2009 | |
| Recorded | March 2009 at Electrical Audio in Chicago, Illinois | |
| Genre | Psychedelic Rock, Experimental Rock | |
| Length | 34:11 | |
| Label | Drag City | |
| Producer | Steve Albini | |
| Om chronology | ||
| Live Conference (2009) |
God Is Good (2009) |
Advaitic Songs (2012) |
God Is Good is the fourth studio album by Om, released in 2009 via Drag City. Along with being the first studio album to feature Emil Amos and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe it is notably an expansion into the band's sound, drawing into various elements of Middle Eastern Folk, Raga and more.
Background[]
Upon recruiting Emil Amos in the Spring of 2008, Om would record and release a single on Sub Pop entitled Gebel Barkal. By the end of 2009 the band would recruit Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe (Lichens, 90 Day Men) and begin work on a new album through March of 2009.
Reception on the album, though mostly positive, has been mixed. Notable praise would come from Sputnik Music (4.0/5),[1] Tiny Mix Tapes (3.5/5)[2] and Fact Mag (8/10), the latter praising the Middle Eastern aesthetic of Side B.[3] A tenth anniversary revisit by Doodlehound observed that "change was happening no matter what", noting the mixed fan reception at the time and accepting the album had to grow rather than be an instant hook. Ultimately God Is Good attained a "Recommended" rating.[4]
Some critics would be critical of the band's new direction in sound. Pitchfork would award a 6.0/10 and while praising Amos' performance also criticized the uneven length and usage of Indian instrumentation seeming "too obvious".[5] Drowned In Sound (Also awarding a 6/10) would praise Amos's contributions and the more psychedelic direction but show criticism towards "Meditation Is The Practice of Death" and described the record as "a confused creation".[6] Both the BBC[7] and The Skinny[8] lauded the record for what was perceived as lacking in power, especially compared to prior works.
Tracklist[]
- 1. Thebes (19:09)
- 2. Meditation Is The Practice of Death (6:52)
- 3. Cremation Ghat I (3:12)
- 4. Cremation Ghat II (4:58)
Personnel[]
- Al Cisneros - Bass, Vocals
- Emil Amos - Drums
- Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - Tambura (1,4), Vocals (3), Photography
- Lorraine Rath - Flute (2)
- Alex Hall - Artwork (Art Construction)
- David Giffey - Artwork (Iconography)
- Greg Norman - Additional Engineering (Chicago)
- Tim Hochstedler - Additional Engineering (Portland)
- Christina Files - Additional Engineering (Portland)
- Jay Pellicci - Additional Engineering (San Francisco)
- Jason Roeder - Photography
- John Golden - Mastering
- Steve Albini - Recording
External Links[]
References[]
| V·T·E Om | |
|---|---|
| Current Members | Al Cisneros • Emil Amos • Tyler Trotter |
| Past Members | Chris Hakius • Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe |
| Studio Albums | Variations on a Theme • Conference of the Birds • Pilgrimage • God Is Good • Advaitic Songs |
| Splits | Inerrant Rays of Infallible Sun (Blackship Shrinebuilder) • Om / Six Organs of Admittance |
| Singles | Gebel Barkal • Addis Dubplate • Gethsemane Dubplate |
| Live Albums | Live at Jerusalem • Live Conference • Live • BBC Radio 1 • Live at Amoeba |
| Associated Bands and Artists | Sleep • The Sabians • Shrinebuilder • Grails • Holy Mountain Records • Billy Anderson • David V. D'andrea |