SOUNDTRACK: THE BLACK ANGELS-Indigo Meadow (2013).
There’s another round of bands with Black in their name. I had heard good things about this particular “black” band so I decided to get Indigo Meadow, their 4th album. And while the album cover hints at the type of music (retro psychedelia), I was unprepared for the insane retro feel of this album.
The guitars are fuzzy, the keyboards are straight out of the 70s, there’s a middle eastern vibe and the vocals even sound of that era (a little tinny, a little fuzzy). The music is a little heavier perhaps than the music of the era (well, except for Black Sabbath, of course)–louder, faster drums, newer guitar noises, things that make it sound new, not just like a lost relic
There’s something minor key and ecstatic about the way the title track builds and builds. It’s an auspicious opening to the album. It’s slightly off kilter but ever so catchy.
“Evil Things” has a big old heavy metal riff, but it throws in some different items–a slow soaring chorus and a big old Doors’ keyboard solo (over the top of that heavy metal riff) which creates an interesting mix of sounds. “Don’t Play with Guns” has a slightly different sound, with a sixties pop chorus (under that psychedelic fuzz of their guitars). The delicate keyboard opening of “Holland” quickly morphs in to a more retro keyboard sound with more echoed vocals. It is one of the longer songs on the album at 4 minutes (So despite this album being psychedelic, the songs are all pretty short, emphasizing their pop roots).
Like “The Day” which is only 2 and a half minutes. “Love Me Forever” has a very Byrds-ian feel, but with a far heavier chorus. “Always Maybe” has an exotic sounding guitar riff and “Broken Soldier” has a really chorus (for a pretty dark song).
“Twisted Light” alternates between that retro keyboard and a buzzy guitar riff. And the harmonies reinforce that era’s feel. “You’re Mine” even sounds like it might be a cover (that chorus is a perfect example of psychedelic pop). The final song plays with the set up somewhat by having the first two minutes build quietly before the big fuzzy guitars propel the song to the end.
So yes, the album is not original (although it is, since they take a style and aren’t afraid to tweak it) and it does not deviate from the style very much. But it’s done so well. And f you enjoy psychedelic pop (with a bit of heavy metal sprinkled on top), this i s an album that you will enjoy. It’s 45 minutes of fuzzy pop fun.
[READ: August 17, 2014] “Ba Ba Baboon”
This is a story of deception, dishonesty and dogs. It is told in third person and as we begin, we see that there are two people hiding in a pantry. It turns out that the protagonist, Brooks, and his sister, Mary, are the ones hiding. And they are hiding in someone else’s home. We learn that whoever they are hiding from may have left. But before we learn why they are in the closet, we learn a bit about Brooks.
He had an “accident” some time ago which did damage to his brain. Someone smashed the left side of his head with a brick and took his car and wallet. His memory isn’t what it used to be, but his “old self” likes to make jokes at his own expense (like singing “If I Only Had a Brain”). And he is also rather different–he can’t tolerate smoke anymore even though he used to be a smoker, he can’t wear any dark clothes and he is intolerant of creases in his pants. And, worst of all for Mary is that Brooks used to be the one who looked out for her–her big strong older brother, and now it is her turn to look after him.
So why has she gotten him trapped in a closet? Mary says “we’ve been in here for an hour. I don’t see the dogs.” It turns out that on the other side of the flimsy door are two of the biggest dogs they have ever seen. These are vicious guard dogs who can be turned of with a safe word, which Mary thinks is “Baba Beluga” or something like that. But that clearly isn’t it. The dogs and the house belong to Wynn, a “friend” of Mary’s. (more…)
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The Black Angels are a psychedelic band from Austin, Texas.
