Artist: Tame Impala
Album: Lonerism
Rating: 5
The problem with most music labeled as psychedelic or “spacey” is that too often, the songwriting and instrumentation is stretched thin to indulge in endless solos, meandering suites and tuneless free-form jamming. This is not so for Australian psych-rock group Tame Impala, who keep the druggy vibes of the late ’60s-early ’70s genre while re-fitting it with an incredibly catchy and concise pop sensibility.
With Lonerism, the band builds upon the reverb-saturated riffs of their 2010 debut, Innerspeaker, dealing out heavier beats and more adventurous melodies. Here, the synth is more likely to soar than the guitars. If the first album was a day at the beach, then Lonerism could be more aptly described as a journey through space, albeit one with periodic returns to more down-to-earth pop-rock territory. The track “Mind Mischief” in particular carries with it an instantly memorable riff that recalls convertible cruising in the bygone summers of years past.
For listeners ready to take a break from the daily grind to take a 50-minute Magical Mystery Tour through contemporary Psychedelia, Lonerism is the trip for you.
Give these tracks a listen: “Elephant,” “Mind Mischief,” “Apocalypse Dreams”
For Fans of: John Lennon, Chemical Brothers, The Flaming Lips, Toro y Moi
— Andrew Russell
