Each One Teach One

Combining '70s-style sludge/stoner rock with arty, new wave punk and Krautrock's penchant for effective use of repetition, Each One Teach One shows Oneida both branching out and refining their already unique style of heavy rock. Disc one of this double-disc set features two lengthy songs. The first, "Sheets of Easter," tests the listener's patience by repeating a single brain-pummeling riff for over 14 minutes. "Antibiotics," the other song on disc one, features slightly more variation and a herky-jerky rhythm that isn't quite as abusive on the ears, though it does go on for more than 16 minutes. This might be a little much for the uninitiated, but anyone acclimated to the early works of Can or Amon Düül II will find merit in these two songs. If not, however, there's still disc two. Containing seven shorter songs, the second disc can easily stand alone as a complete listening experience. The title track starts things off with a simple but effective riff that explodes into a screeching swirl of keyboard effects. "People of the North," which first appeared on Anthem of the Moon, is presented here in a more polished and concise form, with a heavy space dub feel to it. "Sneak Into the Woods" slows things down with a grimy, sinister keyboard riff, and "Rugaru" plays up the band's tribal element with distant chanting atop simple percussion and toy piano. "Black Chamber" keeps this tribal vibe going while pulling it together into a more coherent song with great surrealistic lyrics (sample: "I heard them talk about me but my ears turned into jewels"). The instrumental "No Label" rounds out the album with a shambling junkyard gamelan dirge. Viewing their albums as a continuum, Each One Teach One is a bold but logical next step for Oneida. The essential sound is familiar, but the qualities setting them apart have come together in new and interesting ways.