Thursday 14 May 2020

GEEZER - GROOVY (Album Review)


Release date: May 29th 2020. Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

GROOVY – Tracklisting

1. Dig
2. Atlas Electra
3. Dead Soul Scroll
4. Awake
5. Groovy
6. Drowning On Empty
7. Slide Mountain
8. Black Owl

Members

Pat Harrington – Guitar & Vocals
Richie Touseull – Bass
Steve Markota – Drums & Percussion

Review

Psychedelic Stoner Rockers GEEZER make a welcome return with their new album Groovy. This album feels like the spiritual successor to their 2016 self-titled record which was my favourite album of the year and the best album I think GEEZER released so far. However, that view has changed again with their new offering. As GEEZER return with a steady mix of Blues Rock, Psych Rock, Space Rock and Stoner Rock that’s has a deep passion for all things for 70s Heavy Rock.

GEEZER sound different on this album compared to their previous albums. As they deliver an album that’s more content and riff-driven from start to finish. The Psychedelic/Space Rock mode of the album maybe the main driving force of this album but the band haven’t forgotten their classic Blues Rock/Stoner Rock roots. As Groovy is the album that will speak to all GEEZER fans and even bring a few more along for the action packed ride that this album ultimately delivers.

Opening song – Dig – opens with a heavy sprawling doom based riff before expanding into a trippy Blues Rock driven number which allows the band to merge their trademark sound with a riff-centric 70s outlook and it’s glorious on how GEEZER deliver the epic sounding riffs on this song. It may sound quite simple in places but the band have a lot going on with this song and for the structure of the whole album. Pat Harrington brings his grizzled charm to the album with kick-ass grooves, vocals and lyrics to match. Richie and Steve provide the fantastic rhythm section for this album to truly thrive.

Second song – Atlas Electra – is a trippy wonderland of different Psychedelic and Spaced Out sounds with Geezer playing a more subdued and slower style of music. The song is quite heavy in places but it’s the slow-paced and easy-going nature of the song that instantly draw you in. The lyrics feel inspired by 60s/70s Psychedelic Hard Rock and GEEZER feel more restrained on this song.

Third song – Dead Soul Scroll – feels like it could have easily came off their earlier releases with that instant catchy Psychedelic vibe being played at a lush slow pace. Though, the song becomes more different when the heavy guitars appear and Pat becomes Part-Shaman and Part-Spiritual Guide with his laid-back vocals that ooze centuries old Stoner Rock knowledge. This is one of my favourite songs on the album. As GEEZER try different things on this song especially with the Ambient Sounds and lyrics that have a hidden depth to them.

Fourth song – Awake – opens with a classic style of 70s Blues Rock/Funk/Psychedelic music as GEEZER bring a more classic hard rock approach to this song. The second half of the song sees GEEZER play an avalanche of non-stop heavy riffs with a cool organ being played in the background.

GEEZER carry on with the Psychedelic/Spaced Out theatrics on the second half of the album with the band never missing a beat in playing highly addictive and highly infectious grooves that show you why these guys are so highly thought of within the Stoner Rock/Metal scene.

The second half album does see GEEZER playing heavier riffs and familiar sounds on songs such as: Drowning On Empty, Groovy, Slide Mountain and Black Owl which is the standout song on the album. As GEEZER play a more progressive style of Psych/Stoner/Spaced Out Rock with the band having more time to play with on this song.

Heavy Psych Sounds are releasing this album and I can’t think of a better label for GEEZER to be signed at this moment in time. As Heavy Psych Sounds are on a rich vein of form releasing Psychedelic Stoner Rock/Metal releases that appeal to fans across the whole Stoner Rock/Metal spectrum.

GROOVY is a delightfully heavy experience with GEEZER back on top-form and releasing my favourite album from them yet. GROOVY is another album of the year contender and perhaps one of the Stoner Rock albums of the year next to the new albums from LOWRIDER and BLACK RAINBOWS.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo. GROOVY will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from Heavy Psych Sounds from May 29th 2020.

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