Six records from the last
Six months discussed in a
little over Six sentences
Darsombra – “Polyvision”
Leave any hope for melodies, soaring guitar solos, or
jaw-dropping drumming by the wayside if you’ve come so far as to put on Darsombra’s new album “Polyvision.”
This duo from Baltimore (go O’s!) nestles themselves deep inside a murky drone
of psychedelic proportions which are second to none.
Containing two movements clocking in at an immersive,
immense, vinyl-ready 45 minutes, Darsombra’s music is to
be listened to with headphones on. Each second of each minute is just as
important as the last, for each building block in Darsombra
contributes equally to the creation of vibe and most of all energy. As a
result, “Polyvision” is a wild ride
that traverses a broad sonic spectrum at a lethargic pace and wraps the
listener in a warm blanket of psychedelic serenity. If your mind is open enough
to the idea that stoner rock should not be limited to your everyday set up of a
drummer, a bassist, two guitarists, and a whiskey-soaked singer, then Darsombra will find you well.
“Polyvision”
is available here
Band info: facebook
Stone Machine Electric – “Solicits es
Veritatem”
What starts out as your typical doomed-out,
riff-based, muscle flexer, “Sollicitus es Veritatem” certainly ends somewhere
completely different than where it started. Riffs are, without a doubt, the
central theme to this Hurst, Texas duo but riffs are by no means everything
this band is packing. Edgy instrumental passages led by jazzy guitar solos
traded off with thump-thy-chest-and-chew-on-gravel verses all find a way into
the course of these five tracks. And then there are the Wyndorfian, space rock
choruses that have a unique way of saying screw the man. Through this all,
Stone Machine Electric never forgets that despite their politically charged
message, music is also about being creative and not taking yourself too
seriously. It’s this balance of heavy riffing, heavy content, and unique skill
that is the band’s strength. So whether you’re in the mood to get all grumpy
about the state of affairs or you just want to rock out, Stone Machine Electric
is the disc you should be grabbing for.
Albino Rhino – “Upholder”
Rhythmically repetitive, melodically lush, and pushed
forward by a steady ride on the cymbals, Albino Rhino make no
secret that they’re a heavy-psych by the numbers band. But this album isn’t
about what they are, it’s about how they do it. Their low end is so organic and
full that it pushes up the overall sound of the band, providing a pedestal for
each player to take off of. Sometimes slow, other times a little faster,
there’s never any empty space – again, thanks to that tasty, tasty bass – which
gives Albino Rhino that exploratory sound. The
band follows the music, they let it take them to places like a ride along on a
psychedelic field trip. This trip is worth taking, that’s for sure, especially
if you’re the type to listen to music with your eyes closed and headphones on.
“Upholder” is available here
Band info: facebook
Baby Woodrose
– “Freedom”
Baby Woodrose blasts through the atmosphere on
their new album “Freedom.” The psych
rock journey that this Copenhagen four piece takes you on lacks not in twists
and turns and swallows the listener whole in the process. Much like their North
American counterparts Monster Magnet, Baby Woodrose drive their point home by way of distorted,
jangly guitars, effect-laden vocals, wild guitar solos, and huge choruses.
Singer Lorenzo Woodrose takes time to preach his politics but also shines a
light on the good side of life; the side in which wars are a distant memory and
love and peace stand strong at the fore. This is the band’s mission statement
and it makes them a force to be reckoned with. The songs are tight, the balance
between freaking out and staying level is perfect, and the band shows more
substance than just a run of the mill psych band relying on zany guitar solos.
“Freedom” is available here
Band info: official
Thee Arthur Layne – “HVY DRT Vol.II”
Can you hear that crunch, those harmonicas, and that
motherfucking croon? You’re god damned right, you hear that! It’s Thee Arthur Layne, checking in with one more EP, “Heavy Dirt Vol. II,” before 2016 checks
out. Sure, Thee Arthur Layne is
70’s influenced – indebted – and what not, but it’s the soul that these bad
boys have managed to capture that makes this a band to look out for. After all,
when soul is delivered with this much power and conviction, it’s sure to be
heard up and down the country. So watch out for these guys in 2017 because
there’s something bubbling here, and if you’re not prepared for it, you might
spend a lot of time in the new year shopping for new socks (because, you know,
they’ve been rocked off).
“HVY DRT Vol.II”
is available here
Moon Coven – “Moon Coven”
Man, Moon Coven’s drum sound
is something else. It’s as though their drummer uses aluminum baseball bats
instead of wooden sticks to hack away at a kit made of steel. This alone makes Moon Coven’s self-titled sophomore outing something to
throw on the old hi-fi set. As far as the songs are concerned, though, there’s
not much different this time around in comparison to the band’s seminal debut,
“Amanita Kingdom.” There, the band
made a remarkable attempt at pushing the boundaries of occult rock without
sounding rehashed, which seems to be the formula once again on this outing.
It’s good to hear Moon Coven diving
deeper into what made “Amanita Kingdom”
unique, but it would suit the band better if they had continued to explore the
niche of the genre they were fleshing out two years ago.
“Moon Coven”
is available here
Band info: facebook
