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Wednesday 4 May 2022

Grave Flowers Bongo Band - Strength Of Spring


 
Strength Of Spring is a second album that is very different to the band's first. It may be the influence of Ty Segall's production, but this is a real noisy Psych blast that isn't quite sure if it wants to stay in that genre or become a Prog masterpiece.

The best example of this Psych Prog mix is the schizophrenic Sleepy Eyes. Gabe Flores has a vocal that is still in Bolan Tyrannosaurus Rex territory, but Bolan would not break out as much as this, nor be so wonderfully inventive nor weird. We are not hearing songs about Pixies here.




Inner Bongolia goes even more Psych and with a real 1967 Tune Out Guitar vibe. At times I'm reminded of a vocal version of Ozric Tentacles. Animal Lord is heavy Space Rock. VATMM is an incredible slab of Psych Pop.Down Man even has hints of 60s Pink Floyd.

The slices of Pedal Steel and even Sax just adds to the heady mix. The Los Angeles six piece have conjured up something that is not for the faint hearted, but is incredibly gripping. This can be a genre that gives you eight minutes when four will do.

Not a bit of that here. 9 songs in 29 minutes allows novices to experience the joy of Psych, a sampler if you like of how enthralling the genre can be. This is a wonderful listen, tackling great guitar music in a way that isn't plank spanking. What a fine listen!




You can listen to and buy the album here.


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