Doing something a little different this week in highlighting two albums. One of my intents of starting this site was to discover new music, and to share it. As I’ve dug in record stores and online, I’ve found many new (to me) artists. I’m sure these artists are not unfamiliar to some of you, and I’d like to extend their reach.
I’m a fan of psychedelic music, and its variations across the rock, pop, folk genres. Psych ranges from lighter moods right into heavy, hardcore trippy stuff. While the style is not everyone’s cup of tea, it is sufficiently appreciated that there continue to be bands that delve into the psych realm well after the ’60’s.
While these albums may not be the definitive albums of their style, they are representative of the style and do a very good job of setting their respective moods and are an enjoyable listen.
Bohemian Vendetta released their eponymous album in March, 1968. It is a rawer, harder psych edge, in the garage rock vein (as it was later to be called). The production is pretty much “what you hear is what you get” – the lads bashin’ it out with carefree abandon.
Lots of organ, guitar and vocals occasionally reminiscent of the early Animals. A psych-tinged cover of the Rolling Stones “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” is included, the vocals of which remind me of a cross between Steppenwolf & The Seeds. Also covered is “The House of the Rising Sun”, at a slower tempo than The Animals (but with equal heart), and a little less “psych-ey” than Frijid Pink’s version.
Temples released Sun Structures in February, 2014. It is more in the psych pop vein, with the odd mystical sense in the tunes. It also benefits from current sound and production techniques. It’s a guitar driven sound, occasionally sounding sitar-like, with great drum underpinning. There are plenty of great vocal harmonies. I think the music & song writing holds up well over time; it is certainly less dated than Bohemian Vendetta.