For those not in the know, and according to their very own pitch, the circle of confusion of tongues is redolent of jazz/funk fusions ensouled with multi-pitched vocal layers and extreme guitars; unexpected arrangements encourage you to follow the radical folk-tales as they shift from spine roads to byways and ditches.

From brooding melancholic meadows to high-rise hell, describing bourgeois lifestyles, fear of death, Addiction and insanity, block-paving, voluntary work and the overwhelming need to re-invent ourselves to survive the pandemonium of the modern first world construct.

Phew, well then, that clears that all up, right! That said, it kinda sorta does, if you read not only their lines of explanation, but generously between them also. The Circle of Confusion of Tongues is the fourth album from the UK's highly impressive psych art rock band, Babal ... and perhaps their best yet.

They add that you then, following along with their original train of thought above, re-emerge on a spectacular flyover, to find you went through the car wash on the way ... through the pressured layers ... you've got the bends ...

Right ... well ... ok, now you've lost me, but at least the music speaks for itself here on this brilliant, inspired even new album.

1. 'Teeth of The Universe'
2. 'Amanda'
3. 'He's Got The Bends'
4. 'The Crooked Path'
5. 'Stolen Breath'
6. 'Monkey On My Back'
7. 'The Foot High Guy'
8. 'Partakers'
9. 'Volunteers'
10. 'The Great Overwhelm'
11. 'Skating on the Pond'
12. 'Block Pave Me Over'

Drums that lead seamlessly into some funky guitar are how we are introduced to what is the best track on the album for me, 'Teeth of The Universe.' Embracing a Living Colour vibe throughout, but especially here, Babal then follow that up with the drum-led 'Amanda,' the trippy jam session 'He's Got The Bends,' then both the all-out, yet still melodic psych rock of 'The Crooked Path' and 'Stolen Breath.'

The frenetic guitar of 'Monkey On My Back' is yet another stand out cut and is followed by the more down low, NIN thematically crawling approach of 'The Foot High Guy.' The album brings us another wonderful track in 'Partakers,' with the atmospheric 'Volunteers,' the drum-led and searing guitar of 'The Great Overwhelm.'

The album then comes to a close with the Church-like, choiresque 'Skating on the Pond' which is then backed by the revealing storytelling of 'Block Pave Me Over.'

Babal 'The Circle of Confusion of Tongues' Bandcamp CD Order Page