San Francisco psychedelic wizards Assemble Head In Sunburst Sound return with their fourth release, however fans of their long, drawn out, variation-on-a-theme type psychedelia, might be found wanting on what feels like a venture into more traditional realms.
‘When Sweet Sleep Returned’, their previous release started this trend, with less focus on mad sprawling jams and more emphasis on the lyrical, on the song. ‘Manzanita’ reinforces this change; with each piece a cohesive whole rather than a spaced-out drug-induced romp. The first few tracks are firmly rooted in Americana, folk and southern rock and roll. They are occasionally reminiscent of bands like Howlin’ Rain, yet tinged with a vintage and slightly less rigid over-all sound.
This is sunny day highway music, with some immersive organ playing and brilliantly layered vocals wash beautifully over the eardrums. The psychedelic elements are still here, albeit more concise and controlled, keeping their many layers in the background and leaving the fore free for the ethereal vocals to sit pride of place in the mix.
When they do let go, the jams and solos have their moments of greatness, especially the organ solo on opener ‘L.A. Sacrifice’, the first of many small but truly uplifting instrumental portions of this record.
There is a change in style around the beginning of the final third of the record. ‘Slithery Thing’ and the tracks that follow sound a lot less desert rock and a lot more like B-sides from John Frusciante’s ‘Shadows Collide With People’ (NB: this is not a bad thing!). The tracks are a little mellower, like some beautiful psychedelic pop for a new wave of hippies. Here we are treated to some truly expressive songwriting, each reverb-soaked chord more emotive than the last; mellow, yet exciting at every turn.
Overall a highly enjoyable album, perfect chill-out music for lying back in the sun and forgetting it all, preferably with a moderate dose of something trippy and some rose tinted specs. Quality.
Out now on Tee Pee Records.
Posted by Eóin Boylan.
