Asimov - “Truth” (2017) review

Asimov - Truth (New Records, 2017)

https://asimovstenarmusik.bandcamp.com/

Truth is the third album from Lisbon, Portugal’s heavy psych monsters Asimov. Their heady brew of heavy psych stew is generated by just two dudes, Carlos Ferreira and João Arsénio, who, alongside the standard guitars, drums, and organs, include “visions” and “dementia” in their arsenal of headfrying and shapeshifting “instruments”. Ten-minute opener ‘Nothing In Return” (not the Roky Erickson song) pulsates like a hellbound train with a hypnotic, motoric beat driving an improvisational vibe similar to krautrock kings of oblivion like Can and Amon Düül II blowing bongloads of righteous boo with Hawkwind. A biker’s roar emanates from the vocalist’s guttural tonsils like the prince of darkness presiding over a bonfire of fried synapses. And that’s just the appetizer!

Surf City - “We Knew It Was Not Going to Be Like This” (2013) review

Surf City - We Knew It Was Not Going to Be Like This (Fire Records, 2013)

For Surf City’s Jekyll Island I wrote: “With ever present jangling guitars, sonic reverb overlays, a solid rhythm section, and drumming that lays down a cool groove, it takes few effects to support the agreeably front and center vocals that grab your attention and hold you transfixed. Surf City have nailed down their use of pop melodies, understand the essence of hooks, the impact of texture, where they lay out a panavision Valium sunset that surrounds and completely engulfs with hazy washes that are so warped that you will be laid out horizontally, floating in mid air.”

Sky Saxon and the Vibravoid - “A Poetry Of Love” album premiere

In late 2008 Sky Sunlight Saxon, the Vibravoid and Atomic on guitar teamed up for a 5 weeks period to record and play some shows.

Over 8 hrs of music have been recorded - live and improvised - to select some of Sky´s best late work from it.

Tracks like “You Can Let Love Start” present a reflective and acoustic Sky Saxon with a heart breaking song.

“A Kettle Of Tea” feature Sky´s precise and meaningful lyrics to a masterful extend filled with an abundance of dreamlike Mellotron sounds.

We included 5 unreleased tracks, that were not released on the sold out 2010 album “A Poetry Of Love” that only featured 4 tracks of the recording sessions.

Most of the music is experimental, rocking, shocking and different to one might expect – but showcases the art and performing qualities of an ingenious spirit.

We can only say that the time we have spent with Sky was the most unique and wonderful we could ever experience, we could revive a glimpse of the true spirit that made the 1960s the decade of Rock, Pop and Psychedelia.

We hope that we are able to help Sky to spread his message across the world, because it is a very good one:

“Make Love Not War – Flower Power is real, if you want it!”

http://www.stonedkarma.com/

https://www.facebook.com/vibravoidofficial/

Clear Blue Sky - “Clear Blue Sky” (1970) review

Clear Blue Sky: The First Album Now Remastered

Back when there were less cloudy horizons across the world, global record labels were actually eager for new music (what they’d have called, from their expense-laden desks, the new music) though rarely exporting what’s now called world music. They set up specialised subsidiaries for new cross-genres: EMI started Harvest, Decca had Deram, and Philips founded Vertigo. Starting in 1969 with Colosseum and Juicy Lucy (featuring a teenage Mick Moody), Vertigo signed a power trio with an average age of 18 (the guitarist was younger) for a debut and the label’s 19^th release exemplifying the creative passion of contemporary hard prog-psych adapting the structures of heavy blues. As sure as a policewoman falls in love with a policeman, Clear Blue Sky cut the mustard.

Balagan - “Moonlight” premiere

Balagan come from the hebrew for “chaos” and this is how the sound of this Berlin based Israeli/Icelandic garage outfit can be described. The songs of their debut EP are powerful, wild and impetuous and definitely make you want more.

Balagan is a heart project for the three musicians from Iceland and Tel Aviv who have already made a name for themselves in the Berlin music background with bands like Haxxan, Plastic Gods or Haangli. With Balagan they create their very own romance, deeply hidden in the musical chaos, which they play with heartfelt.

Recorded in the legendary Funkhaus studios, A Mess now appears on the newly founded Berlin label ROOD WOOF Records.

Soft Speaker - “Nautical Romance” (2017) review

Soft Speaker - Nautical Romance (Edelweiss Grammofon, 2017) 

Soft Speaker’s Nautical Romance took me by complete surprise, and I assure you, is nothing like you’d expect from viewing the front cover, and certainly less from the album’s back image; with both featuring members of the band.

Sunrose - “Fever” premiere

Sunrose are an independent 4-piece band based in the hills of Byron Bay who create timeless psychedelic pop/rock and translate their lifestyle of ocean, nature & sunshine into a sonic swirl of haunting vocals, grooved out rhythms and harmonic undulations dripping with vibrato & delay.   

New music video for “Fever,” the lead single from forthcoming debut EP Cosmic Horizon. The song is a fun, upbeat take on excitement & the delirium of sickness fusing surf pop rhythms, melodic hooks and a roller coaster ride full of twists & turns. 

Top Video Games with a Psychedelic Theme

There are psychedelic graphics in a lot of day to day activities, but game developers appear to particularly love this design convention. With immersive atmospheres and interesting worlds to experiment with, this medium is brilliant for those that want to create their own world.

Crank Sturgeon

“It’s not punk. It’s not art. It’s not even music. And it’s definitely not a haircut.”

Maine based noise musician Matt Anderson celebrates 25 years of Crank Sturgeon with his 150th release.

Bill Orcutt

“Music does what it wants”

An Account Of The Crimes Of Peter Thiel And His Subsequent Arrest, Trial And Execution is a 12” LP released by Bill Orcutt in an edition of 100 copies. It contains a loop that grows, collapses, grows and collapses again.

Rivener - “Rivener” album premiere

Lysergic free-rock improvisations.

New Haven-based duo Rivener’s lysergic improvisations are shape-shifting explorations of no wave, noise, free-jazz and psych with some elements loosely rooted in the rock tradition--ineffable expressions of the human spirit. Intrepid seekers always listening for the signs, guitarist/percussionist Paul Belbusti (Mercy Choir) and drummer Michael Kiefer (Myty Konkeror) mangle, stretch, bend, and breathe new meaning into these influences with subtle dynamic shifts, conjuring stormy, cosmic clouds of sound.

You can pre-order the album here: https://rivener.bandcamp.com/album/rivener