Date Released: 14/09/2018
Label: Heavy Psych Sounds
The new
album is an experience and should be taken in as a whole. It’s an album that flows, jumps, and jives. It’s what Brant
wants to do. It’s the Brant we know. It’s the Brant we love. Long story short,
this album is a fine extension to his varied discography.
“Mankind Woman” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1. Chocolatize
2. Lazy Wizards
3. Charlie Gin
4. Mankind Woman
5. Pisces
6. Swagger & Sway
7. Somebody
8. Pretty Hairy
9. Brand New Old Times
10. 1968
11. Nation Of Indica
Brant's a cool dude. That's a fact, Jack. Be it his cool blues of 'Saved by Magic,' or the cool drummer-dude-from-Kyuss-on-a-solo-trip
with 'Jalamanta,' all the way to the cool-guy-on-a-couch vibe of 'Local Angel.'
No matter which album you pick up, one thing’s for certain; Brant's
cool. Always has been. And if his new album, 'Mankind Woman' is
anything to go by, Brant will remain cool.
This time out, Brant's joined by Bubba DuPree on the
songwriting credits. You know Bubba as the guitarist on Brant's last 2 albums. Brant
has also opened the studio door for his 'special guest' Sean Wheeler, who steps
behind the mic on 2 tracks. By opening up this
release to the influences of his friends, Brant is also opening up his mind to a new
songwriting approach.
Don't fret, Brant's box riffs and blues solos are still
here. The 60’s and 70’s are still very much at the
forefront. As is Brant’s desert home. It’s just that this time out, Brant’s
given his riffs even more room to breathe. This is found in his slow, almost
reggae like approach to how he performs these songs. And it’s also abundant in
the album's production. The space creates a much more open atmosphere this time
out. Certainly in comparison to his 3 album run over at Napalm Records. With this
approach, Brant
brings the listener directly to the studio. Don’t be shy. Come
on in, the door's open!
Given that riffs have more space to breathe, so do the
songs. The general pace on this album is slower but no less
ripe for some good time live jamming. Yeah, there's a scorcher here and there,
but for the most part, Brant has cooled down considerably and is
playing it cool. And that's cool by me.
There's no sense cherry picking songs for this review.
The new album is an experience and should be taken in as a whole. It’s an album that flows, jumps, and jives. It’s what Brant
wants to do. It’s the Brant we know. It’s the Brant we love. Long story short,
this album is a fine extension to his varied discography.
So if it's cool you're looking
for, dig in to 'Mankind Woman.' The world's tense enough as it is nowadays,
certainly for Brant
as an American artist, so why not give yourself the opportunity to enjoy the
things you love. Be it your partner, your weed or your
rock and roll, there's something on this new Brant album that'll help you put
things into perspective. Just be cool and let it
happen.
“Mankind Woman” is available here
