Les Rallizes Dénudés: ’77 Live (1991)

When people write about bands or artists that cross genres, they usually denote it by using some kind of punctuation, typical a slash. The near-mythical Les Rallizes Dénudés are that slash, the punctuation between their unique and mesmerizing blend of psychedelia, pop, and garage rock. Pierce the layers of squalling feedback and noise and you can hear the bubblegum pop and 60s R&B the legendary Takashi Mizutani used as a springboard to carve out one of the most interesting niches in music. To cap off Live Month we’re going to spend a week with the band, who never put out a proper studio album, only live, archival releases starting with ’77 Live, their blazing set at the Tachikawa Social Education Hall in Tokyo.

ChrisApril 21, 2025April 22, 20251 Comment

Pink Floyd: Live At Wembley Empire Pool (1974)

To be clear, this is NOT the standalone release The Dark Side Of The Moon Live at Wembley 1974 that came out in 2023, which I THINK was taken from the November 15-16 shows and is just the Dark Side of the Moon part of the show. Live At Wembley Empire Pool is the full show (with a mammoth bonus up front) presenting to my ears Pink Floyd at their absolute best: this is not only my favorite live recording of the band; it’s grown to become my go-to album anytime I want to listen to Floyd – at least the post Syd Barrett era of the band. Full of gargantuan solos and massive jams that almost but never lose sight of the fantastic song structures the group were known for it’s a fascinating document of the band not only playing with established classics but exploring the breadth and scope of songs that would become classics on future albums.

ChrisApril 9, 2025April 9, 2025Leave a comment

Vinyl

Freckle: Freckle (2025)

I’m still trying to figure out what it is that Ty Segall does that captures exactly what I’m looking for in a rock album. Despite his myriad incarnations and permutations, from the Sabbath stomp of bands like Fuzz to his Eno-esque limitations on albums like First Taste or his more out there collaborations with White Fence and Brian Chippendale 0f Lightning Bolt, there’s just something there that resonates in me. Nothing’s changed with Freckle, both the album and the new collaboration with Corey Madden of Color Green. Whether or not Freckle the band is a one-shot deal, I’m all in for its blend of psychedelic pop and guitar rock worship.

ChrisMarch 17, 2025March 17, 20251 Comment

Vinyl

Speed, Glue & Shinki: Eve (1971)

It’s hard to separate distinguishing whether I like something because I genuinely like it, or because of the narrative behind it, either legitimate or manufactured by an industry intent on selling every last thing. I’m sure I really dig Eve, the debut from Japanese power trio Speed, Glue & Shinki featuring the legendary psych/rock guitarist Shinki Chen – this is a great little dingy rock record. But that enjoyment comes with an asterisk because of the way it was marketed to me. Maybe I’m reading too much into a fun little slice of 70s power blues, but that’s the point of the site, right?

ChrisFebruary 24, 2025February 22, 20251 Comment

Vinyl

Tusmørke: Dawn Of Oberon (2024)

I’m still trying to wrap my mind around Tusmørke, the Norwegian progressive rock combo that never seems content to stick to one thing. Albums in English, albums in Norwegian, children’s albums, albums for adults…are they even prog rock? You can argue it with all the pyschedelia that colors their music, especially Dawn Of Oberon, the band’s (I think) 11th album of weird and wonderfully retro rock. It’s extremely chill, with hints of jazz and some of Zappa’s early hippy-drippy melodies and arrangements, and kind of the perfect thing when you want to ease off the “rock” side of progressive rock and let your, like, drift man…you know?

ChrisDecember 26, 2024December 26, 20241 Comment

Vinyl

Wand: Vertigo (2024)

You ever read a review for an album, and the reviewer makes a comparison to another band that you didn’t think of, and that becomes ALL you can hear afterward? I’ve always though of Wand as this swirling, psychedelic garage rock that started with more of a punk blast off and now with new album Vertigo have settled into this flowing, cinematic psychedelic rock that sweeps you into its currents and takes you on a journey. That all still applies, but now I can’t help but hear how much this also sounds like Radiohead. In the best possible way, of course (I love Radiohead) but it’s slightly frustrating to have that implanted in my brain. It doesn’t capture the earthiness of the songs, or the aural narrative the album leads you through.

ChrisDecember 17, 20241 Comment

Consuming the Tangible

We are what we consume

Tag: psychedelic rock

Les Rallizes Dénudés: ’77 Live (1991)

Pink Floyd: Live At Wembley Empire Pool (1974)

Freckle: Freckle (2025)

Speed, Glue & Shinki: Eve (1971)

Tusmørke: Dawn Of Oberon (2024)

Wand: Vertigo (2024)