When I think of the Detroit music scene, I think of a huge amount of musical diversity: the soulful sounds of Motown, Mick Collins’ gritty garage rock with The Gories and The Dirtbombs , the brash hip hop of MCs like Eminem and Guilty Simpson, and the analog synths of the early Detroit Techno scene. One thing that doesn’t come to mind is melodic, lo-fi psychedelic rock. But that’s exactly what Burger Records is putting out from the Detroit-based Conspiracy of Owls.
From the boot-stomping Southern Rock guitar riff that opens “Raving Mad” to the languid vocal harmonies of “Ancient Robots”, this album feels like it’s made for a summer evening gathering; Enough bursts of energy to keep the people on their feet satisfied but not too much to piss off those content to lounge.
But don’t be fooled, this album has its feet firmly planted in the 70’s. By touching a bunch of different Rock sub-genres from the decade, each track brings out a feeling that’s pleasantly familiar. Driving at times, dreamy at others, Conspiracy of Owls‘ brand of psychedelic pop feels fresh and new yet well-worn and comfortable. And that’s a difficult trick to pull off: Creating a feeling of nostalgia without seeming derivative. But they’ve done it for me and this album will be on heavy rotation at my place for a while to come.
RIYL: Tame Impala, Woods, The Morning Benders
Buy (MP3): Amazon
Buy (Vinyl): Burger Records
Buy (CASS): Burger Records
Read: www.myspace.com/conspiracyofowls
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