Saturday 21 May 2016

FARFLUNG - 5 (Album Review)


Release date: May 27th 2016. Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

5 – Tracklisting

1. Hive
2. Proterozoic
3. 044MZP
4. The 27th Sun
5. Lupine
6. Being Boiled
7. We Are ‘e’ Dismal
8. Jimmy
9. The Retreat

Band Members:

Tommy Grenas
Michael Esther
Paul Hischier
Abby Travis
Chris Nakata

Review:

It’s been a long time since Farflung visited our solar system with their heavy spaced out stoner riffs. Eight years to be precise with A Wound In Eternity. They’ve released a few split albums with bands such as Fatso Jetson. So when Farflung decide to release a new album of their own then all you spaced out riffsters need to take note as the band may have delivered their best album yet.

5 is a pure masterclass in sonic projectory where the riffs are deeply hypnotic and brimming full of ideas other Space/Stoner Rock bands cannot match. Opening track – Hive – is classic Farflung but with new moments of psychedelic/prog rock spliced with trippy vocals to keep your mind, body and soul addicted to those crazy out of world sounds. The instrumental work is superb through out. What else did you expect from a band such as Farflung as they’ve been creating music for over two decades now. They can still show the psych/space rock bands of today a thing or two.

Second track – Proterozoic – is classic Farflung with the band showing a keen ear for sonic experimentation. It’s a heavy distorted sound that has many different layers to keep you entertained. It may not be to everyone’s tastes but Farflung have always played by their own rules. The vocals are quite frantic at times and they lose focus from time to time but it’s the music that holds your attention.

Third track – 044MPZ – is more of a straight-forward Stoner/Space Rock song with flashes of classic psych rock vibes giving way to a calmer style of progressive rock. Soothing flutes play in the background that allows you to focus on the quieter and experimental style of Farflung’s music. This is perhaps the band channelling their love for all things Uriah Heap and other bands from the legendary 70s prog rock scene.

This is an expansive and highly experimental album. It’s a great sound as it allows Farflung to explore sounds they created on their earlier albums and give them a heavier makeover. Other great songs to check out are: Lupine, We Are, Dismal Jimmy and The Retreat. It’s perhaps on Lupine and The Retreat where Farflung create a heavier sound that long-time fans may not be used to though a few listens to the album will soon change their minds.

Overall, 5 is the album that Farflung needed to come back with. Mainly to show the world they’re still one of the premier underground Psych/Stoner/Space Rock Bands currently out there. Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. 5 will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from Heavy Psych Sounds from May 27th 2016.

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