Mdou Moctar and his backing band provide slick guitar-driven desert rock while the field recordings and electronics add new depth to the band's already exciting music. Afrique Victime is straight from the heart: it promotes freedom of love, religion, women's rights while noting the inequalities and massive crime of Western Africa.
You may or may not even know it but many of the best guitar records are exploding out of Western Africa right now. There is a largely uncovered desert rock scene (Tuareg guitar music) across the country from the like of virtuoso guitarist Bombino to the diversely detailed band Tinariwen. Both being fan favorites, these two were the first of the scene that I became familiar with a few years ago. Only recently has the scene really gained attention over to the United States, thanks to internet music blogs blowing up. I've really enjoyed this type of music over the past few years but I am no expert whatsoever; I'm still coming in at an amateur level. Another artist recently gaining attention overseas is the guitarist Mdou Moctar. From the country of Niger, Moctar has a stylishly complex guitar-driven performance influenced by the guitarist icons of Eddie Van Halen and Jimi Hendrix. He certainly has a presence on and off the stage whether in the studio or on the festival grounds. From live recordings off of Nokia cell phones being traded like bootleg cassette tapes, Mdou Moctar's music had spread across the country and beyond.
After a slew of solo records, Moctar assembled a backing band including a bassist, rhythm guitarist and drummer. This is when the band truly took off with their first album as a band titled Ilana: The Creator back in 2019. A rougher in your face rock record, Ilana had the rock grooves that were simple on the surface but complex when diving in. Their new album Afrique Victime is the band's second album. They recently signed to indie heavyweight Matador records to gain even more buzz across the indie music community. Afrique Victime is an album that takes the explosive rock from Ilana and adds even more diversity by adding field recordings from the Niger desert and electronics. The album's message is straight from the heart: it promotes freedom of love, religion, women's rights while noting the inequalities and massive crime of Western Africa. One thing to note is that Moctar sings in the language of Tamasheq. There will most likely be a language barrier to most U.S. listeners but truly the guitars and performances themselves are the band's true focal point.
On Afrique Victime the guitar grooves and melodies are the album's best features. They are often heavy, sonically detailed and complex with many progressions. The field recordings and electronics add new depth to the band's music. Often at times it's like you're right in the heated desert country with them. Some songs are slow paced, gradual and lush like "Tala Tannam." The guitars gently wash you away like warm water from a hot bath. It's a song to happily hum at a campfire with your friends. Others are nonstop and explosive like the opening "Chismiten" which features abrasive guitar wielding riffs and loud grooves to blast through your speakers. Others are just wholsome and endearing like the lightly paced and galloping "Taliat." The added acoustics and electronic drum machine percussion on "Ya Habibti" add some nice changes to the mix. The same goes for "Layla," which has some nice acoustic inflections and some really cool electronic effects. I haven't even gotten into the title track which is one of the album's lead singles. It's a glorious seven and a half minute monster that is a nonstop joy ride. It starts out like the beginning of a classic heavy rock tune a la Van Halen and then goes into one of the stickiest guitar melodies and vocal hooks on the record. The track continues into a frenzy of layered guitars, drums and bass that rides into the sunset.
To sum it up nicely: this album freaking rules. The performances are super tight and woven together. The band sounds together as one throughout the songs. Its 41 minute length is the perfect amount being not too short or too long. The production is diverse and explosive at points while the overall instrumentation is beautiful to listen to. The guitar grooves, melodies and harmonies are excellent. I'm really loving Afrique Victime and you should too! I mean there may be a few things holding you back like the language barrier or the songs possibly sounding too similar to each other. But get over it my friend! If desert guitar music with top notch guitar playing sounds good for you then jam out. The replay-ability is there and I am seeing myself listening to this all year long. Afrique Victime is making guitar music essential in 2021 and beyond!
My Rating: 8 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Afrique Victime," "Tala Tannam," "Chismiten," "Taliat"
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