Shifting Sands - Cosmic Radio Station
by Carl Bookstein
published: 5 / 2 / 2016

Label:
Occultation Recordings
Format: CD
intro
Compelling, well-rendered psychedelic rock on second album from New Zealand band, the Shifting Sands
'Cosmic Radio Station' was first conceived in a broken down shack and converted wool shed in the hills above Port Chalmers, New Zealand near Dunedin. A venue named Chick’s Hotel in Port Chalmers, run by the three members of the Shifting Sands, is the epicentre of the vibrant Dunedin pop underground. A crunching electric guitar line and a steady drum beat kick off 'Waiting for the Sun' - entrancing psych rock from the get go. A spellbinding vocal comes in: "Waiting for the sun to fall… fall at your feet.” The New Zealand psych rock scene seems to be absolutely happening, including two songs of guitar assistance here (later in the album), from the great David Kilgour, who also heralds from New Zealand and who, with his band the Heavy Eights, the Shifting Sands have toured with. The lyric goes on soothingly: “Waiting for the sun to call out your name.” On 'All the Stars', mellifluously flowing instrumentals combine with a compelling lead vocal. This album casts an instantly hypnotic spell. “All the stars are in the sky shining on you/Making it brighter.” A well played violin adds accompaniment. 'Making It Through' features a psychedelic guitar groove - the electric music washes over the listener powerfully- a mesmerising sea of sound. On 'Cosmic Radio Station', this band enters a first rate performance from start to finish. On the song 'Dreaming to Keep Awake', the dreamlike effect here is positively mystical - a psychedelic soundscape. The album continues chugging along brightly with pulsating momentum, more stinging electric guitar and hypnotic drum beats. The closer 'Radio Silence' utilises soft glistening chords, capturing easy vibrations - a quiet final song from an evocative, well-rendered album. New Zealand psych rock is very much alive and healthy with the Shifting Sands.
Track Listing:-
1 Waiting for the Sun2 All the Stars
3 We All Fall Down
4 Making It Through
5 Whareakeake
6 Should Be Better
7 Dreaming to Keep Awake
8 Coming Back
9 Abstract Objects
10 Radio Silence
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/The-Shifting-Sands-111071148953974/http://theshiftingsands.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/ShiftingSandsNZ
Label Links:-
http://www.occultation.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/OccultationRecordings/
https://www.youtube.com/user/OccultationRecs
https://plus.google.com/+OccultationRecs
bandcamp
soundcloud
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Liz Mitchell - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Lauren Mayberry - Photoscapes
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Garfunkel and Garfunkel Jr. - Interview
Maarten Schiethart - Vinyl Stories
Clive Langer - Interview
Sukie Smith - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboNigel Stonier - Wolf Notes
Wings - Venus and Mars
Only Child - Holy Ghosts
Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn - Songs For The Trees
Neil Campbell - The Turnaround
Philip Jeays - Victoria
Darkness - Dreams On Toast
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart