The Eternals pretty much consist of Damon Locks, Wayne Montana, and a roving drummer now in the form of live tour mate and former Smog man Tim Mulvenna. The sound is one of many keyboard glimpses dancing around live, progressive jazz-hop beats, with a few samples here and there. At the center of this is Locks' tribal drove, which, for better or worse, is the most memorable or forgettable part of the whole project, depending on how you think of it. While the typically smooth gleam of his voice does give it a more immediate presence, I think it would be a lot better if it was more hypnotically produced. Regardless, Damon does his best Talking Heads on "Space Dancehall," with its frantic once in a lifetime electro-punk mania which pretty much illustrates the worse qualities of them as a whole. But you don't have long to stew on it, as the very next track, "Silhouette" saves the day. This is the most Ninja Tune-like on the album marrying the plunk of a ranchero-style guitar over a drummed midtempo beat care of Tortoise drummer John Herndon, while Locks isn't as unsettling as he can be thanks to some choice reverb.
Despite Damon's lack of range, he is no one-note piano. His artwork graces everything Eternals related -- the back cover of Rawar Style is somewhat reminiscent of a more abstract Bad Religion's Process Of Belief -- as well as featuring on certain releases from At The Drive-In, Dismemberment Plan, and A Grape Dope. In the end, I wouldn't say his vocals really help any track, but they do affect the vibe quite substantially. The overall air of the album would probably be more new-wave influenced trip-hop but Lock's sure and steady raga forges Rawar to a more funky-dub feel. His organ, unashamedly styled after The Specials most of the time, is always gold, and the live drumming on every track, often along side programmed beats, gives the disc a lot of worthwhile character. It's worth checking out.
1. ...Just a Moment
2. High Anxiety
3. With Wings and Chariot
4. Space Dancehall
5. Silhouette
6. Bewareness
7. This Here Is Megaside
8. Beat Is Too Original
9. Emperor's Break
10. Emperor's New Break
11. Gussy Up Yourself
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