An unplanned band, ‘a chance encounter’, this psyche indie soul rock six-piece from Inverclyde came together by pure luck of being in the same place and sharing a passion for creating music. Having previously performed in other bands, the guys are not new to the music scene but bring their own unique, fresh sound. Lifting of the Veil is their new album release for 2020.
Opening with ‘In the End is My Beginning’, it’s a classic re-mash of early rock and psychedelic sounds. It has that very raw, nonchalant vibe. Repeated, step-wise sounds are reminiscent of the likes of Queens of the Stone Age and other such names. The guys bring a twist to things with the next track ‘A Life Asleep’, it’s a cross between sonic techniques and sunny, snappy beats. It’s a like a paradox between the ‘flower power’ feels of the late 60s and the overdriven guitar sounds somewhere on the other side of the acid rock spectrum.
Ska is the sensibility of ‘Hell is Other People’. That classic walking bass is paired with syncopation that accentuates those pretty wah wah wobbles and woodwind features. Things feel a little darker in what follows in ‘Mother Divine’. It’s a paradoxical name for a less than godlike sound. Down and dirty with gritty vocals, gives this tune its true character.
The namesake of the album ‘Lifting of the Veil’ is carried on solid beats. It winds in and out of spacey sounds beyond the pale and into some brightly coloured headspace. ‘Bullseye’ takes this one step further, going deep into hyper charged, droning guitar motifs. ‘Dirt’ is more akin to that true rock sound of classical times with bridges and expositions so full of rhythm guitar drive, it thrives like a trippy ride from dusk ‘til dawn. ‘Wir Sind Das Volk’ continues in a similar fashion, this time with more sax and organ sounds to colour this track as a distinct but key feature on this album.
‘Song for Sorenna’ is much less heavy and much more laid back, still featuring classy vocals and accomplished composition. Leading us out from this album is a slow affair in ‘Thanks for the Ride’ with that slightly blues and country back road feeling. It trickles down to an almost single percussive sound, before a final three bit hit and a muzzled, low-tone sustained wave of almost inaudible frequencies. It’s a delicate end to a rather technicolour compendium of sounds.
The full album is available on Spotify and you can find out more from Phoenix Gene at the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/Phoenix-Gene-150087821715142/