[Review] ‘From Coma To Catharsis’ The Royal Arctic Institute

Written By Mike Greenblatt
From Coma To Catharsis Royal Arctic Institute

The Royal Arctic Institute
From Coma To Catharsis
(Already Dead Tapes)

They’re calling it post-rock. It sounds  like the soundtrack to a horror film where you just know the heroine is going to get her head chopped off but you don’t know when. The Royal Arctic Institute—with members from Hoboken and Weehawken—have no singer and that’s why they’re special. The follow-up to their 2021 From Catnip To Coma is a languid  chill affair accentuated by the production of Yo La Tengo’s James McNew. Available as a cassette tape or digital download, it’s atmospheric, mysterious and could be  used to scent the air at a funeral of a friend. Their credits are amazing:  drummer Lyle Hysen has played with the late Arthur Lee of the groundbreaking  1960s Los Angeles band Love.  Guitarist John Leon has  played with the late Roky Erickson of the pioneering 1960s psychedelic Texas band 13th Floor Elevators. Bassist David Motamed has played with the late Texas troubadour Townes Van Zandt. Armed also with a keyboardist and second guitarist, this  is one totally unique quintet.

Order ‘From Coma To Catharsis’ Cassette Tape

Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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