Tag Archives: jim morrison

Leopold and His Fiction

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Artist: Leopold and His Fiction
Album: Ain’t No Surprise
File Under: Vintage Rock
Recommended if You Like: The Doors, The Black Keys, White Stripes
Featured Track: “Broke”

I could sit you down right now, play this entire album and tell you it was a long lost 70s re-issue from some obscure San Francisco rock band and I bet you wouldn’t bat an eye.  The San Francisco trio’s sophomore release, Ain’t No Surprise, takes their love of classic rock and all things vintage and spins it into a thoroughly enjoyable album from start to finish.  An amalgamation of 70s rock influences, the band concocts a stripped down, bluesy, southern-fried psych rock sound reminiscent of some of the great bands of that era – from The Doors to the Allman Brothers and Bob Dylan. 

Listening to the album, it’s hard not to compare lead singer Daniel James’ gritty vocals to Jim Morrison.  I swear he’s channeling Mr. Mojo Risin’ himself on “Hawk Eyes”.  And with the carnival-like organ swirling through“Broke” it’s hard not to draw a comparison to The Doors.  While the influences are everywhere, the band never imitates.  Their sound is definitely that of  a bygone era.  But in this day and age of 80s synth pop revival, it’s a refreshing one.

Don’t miss Leopold and His Fiction play Bottom of the Hill March 10!  To get a taste of what’s to come, check out this video of their recent performance at Sundance this year.

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The Early Years – Psych Rock or Krautrock?

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One of my favorite groups from last year, The Early Years, just released a single in the UK on vinyl this week. Apparently, the band has just finished recording their second album, but this is their first new material in a good while. 

The two new tracks, ‘Like a Suicide’ and ‘Computer Voice‘, are available for streaming on the band’s website.  I was so thrown off after sampling the tracks, I had to check three times to make sure I was on the right MySpace page.  Their self-titled debut album fell squarely into the category of psych rock for me, and I loved the way David Malkinson’s voice echoed David Gilmour at times.  These new tracks sound more like krautrock – not that it’s a bad thing…just different.

The A side, ‘Like A Suicide‘, is an electro, experimental number that moves into more familiar Early Years’ guitar-based territory as it progresses.   ‘The Computer Voice’, is krautrock meets Jim Morrison with loud guitar, drums and vocal loops that will send your head into psychedelic dreams – definitely my favorite of the two.

I still eagerly await their second album, but until then, you should check The Early Years debut album.  It’s  a good one. Featured here is the video for a single they released last year, ‘So Far Gone.‘

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The Black Angels [Black Crystal Bands, Part 1]

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Caution:  Contact high may occur while listening to this album, especially under the influence of black lights.

Okay, this Austin-based psyche rock band definitely fits nicely into my dark and moody ‘black’ band category.  The band, whose mantra is ‘Turn on, Tune in, Drone out’, has a very soul-satisfying stoner rock sound that draws references to groups like Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Doors.  Lead singer Alex Maas’ vocals have an eerie resemblance to Jim Morrison, in particular.

I adore their debut album, Passover, that was released in 2006.  Their new album, Directions to See a Ghost, released this a couple of months ago is a solid effort but not quite as good as their debut, in my opinion.  Definitely a band worth a listen regardless.  Check out this track, You on the Run,  from their latest album.

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