Black Angels - Indigo Meadow

  by Carl Bookstein

published: 28 / 4 / 2013

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Hailing from Austin, Texas, the Black Angels have just released their fourth full length album 'Indigo Meadow'. The Black Angels are current modern day avatars of contemporary psychedelic rock - with edgy guitars and the sound of encircling drone. The Black Angels include vocalist Alex Maas, Christian Bland, Stephanie Bailey and Kyle Hunt. The opening title track begins with a heavy drum beat and their signature swirling drone machine- all in all, a psychedelic enveloping blanket. The opener is a touch abrasive, but still sonically effective. Distinctive guitar reverb marks 'Evil Things' more hypnotic than beautiful, but still compelling. Organ and drone machine wash over you like a hard rock cleansing. On 'Don’t Play with Guns' the album begins to get more melodic. The listener definitely hears the single here - a magnetic riff and a commentary on a violent world. The album continues to grow on you as it progresses. On 'The Day', the lyric “The sun was shining across the field” is relatively bright for the Angels with an effective vocal and a rollicking, grooving beat. 'Love Me Forever' conjures psychedelic musical gurus from Roky Erickson of the 13th Floor Elevators to Anton Newcombe of the Brian Jonestown Massacre. The lyric “love me forever” repeats as rays of light are cast interspersed with dark shadows. 'Broken Soldier' states “It’s hard to kill when you don’t know whose side you’re on”, gaining momentum with propulsive drumming, organ and drone. The tune 'I Hear Colors' is dripping lysergic acid rock. The album is a trip and a buzz that grows on you as it sinks in - at times unsettling, yet with an allure. The lyrics of 'Twisted Light' capture confusion and visions. The closer 'Black Isn’t Black'is likewise immersed in textures of darkness and light. The album “Indigo Meadow” while not always soothing, continues to fascinate.

Track Listing:-

1 Indigo Meadow
2 Evil Things
3 Don't Play With Guns
4 Holland
5 The Day
6 Love Me Forever
7 Always Maybe
8 War on Holiday
9 Broken Soldier
10 I Hear Colors (Chromaesthesia)
11 Twisted Light
12 You're Mine
13 Black Isn't Black

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/theblackangels.tx
http://theblackangels.com/
https://twitter.com/theblackangels

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