I once met someone who crossed paths with David Koresh, the self-styled modern guru who subsequently led his followers into a compound in regional Texas, only to fall victim to the United States authorities’ concerted efforts to destabilise the community with a combination of military force and Nancy Sinatra music. According to my acquaintance, Koresh was charismatic, and not an untalented musician. Pity about the other stuff, however.
To the very best of my knowledge, Bambino Koresh has nothing to do with David Koresh, other than sharing a name, a latent pop sensibility and an apparently charismatic leader – in this case Leticia Nischang. The other critical ingredient in Bambino Koresh is former Smudge protagonist Tom Morgan, someone who knows more about quality pop than Janet Reno knows about obfuscating Congressional testimony.
Bambino Koresh has certainly got a catalogue of seriously good songs, both consistent and diverse. Starting with the sparkling adolescent Dando-esque whimsy of Freesoul, to the razor-sharp licks of Terracotta Warrior to the Nashville via Strawberry Hills Americana of Just Accept It, there’s something for anyone. The always pleasing theremin adds a suitable eerie edge to Crop Circles; If So Defacto is a misty-eyed Delfonics-and-Band sponsored walk into emotional desolation where everything seems like shit until you get over it. The System Tells bristles with attitude like a suburban pub hosting an L7 gig, What I’m Gonna Do Now is philosophical in mind, body and pop soul and Sleeping in Pain would draw a nod from Justin Townes Earle as he picks himself out of the guitar, dusts off his weathered suit and gets on with his life.
Post-Birdman attitude appears writ large in Goth/Socialite, Romantically Challenged is every bit as bitter and introspective as you might suspect, Satan Do Me A Solid captures the raw substance of ’70s rock in its purest form, Red Spot Always Meant Sale is best track of 1979 never recorded that fine year and Indirect Putdowns the ideal Stonesy outro for what’s been a thorough enjoyable journey through the world of Bambino Koresh.
BY PATRICK EMERY
Best Track: Freesoul
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: THE LEMONHEADS
In A Word: Perfect
