Release Date: May 13th 2022. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Elusive Mojo - Tracklisting
1. March Of The Troglodytes
2. Elusive Mojo
3. Times Up
4. The Kenzo Shake
5. Venom
6. The Comedown
7. Deathwish 1970
Members
Doug Sabolik
Michael Field Connor
Kevin Nickles
Ricky Kulp
Review
Philadelphia’s Psych Stoner Rock overlords Ecstatic Vision are back with their fourth album Elusive Mojo and it’s a freakish collection of Psychedelic Spaced Out Jams immersed with the Stoner Rock grooves the band are known for. Joining them on this journey is Joe Boldizar (who worked on their debut release Sonic Praise) and Bob Pantella (Monster Magnet) both on recording duties with the album being mastered by Tim Green (Melvins).
Elusive Mojo is their most thrilling, adventurous and best album since their celebrated debut album Sonic Praise. This album is a real tour-de-force of Psychedelic Stoner Rock with elements of Space Rock, Prog Rock and Freaky Jams that all combine for a record that has a real timeless quality to it. This album could have easily been released back in the 1970's and still sound super fresh.
The album has a wealth of great tracks to recommend such as Elusive Mojo, Times Up, The Kenzo Shake, Venom and The Comedown with the band playing fast and furious Stoner Rock which has a jazzy feel at times especially when the saxophone appears. The music is catchy and downright aggressive with it’s fast-paced nature on the majority of the tracks. Inspired yet again by Hawkwind, Nik Turner, Monster Magnet and even Motorhead in places when the band play some super-fast sounds with a Stoner Metal level of heaviness not heard since their debut release.
Maybe Ecstatic Vision have gone back to basics for this album but the sounds from their last few releases are here fully intact. The Space Rock atmosphere is my favourite part of the album as this allows the band to get brilliantly inventive with the 70’s Hard Rock sounds and themes held on the album especially with the vocals and lyrics.
The album as I said before is “SUPER FREAKY” and downright seedy as well. There’s a lot to digest with this release but that’s part of the course with this great band. The production values are first rate with the right amount of aggression coming at you especially towards the later stages of the album.
Elusive Mojo is another must have release from Ecstatic Vision with the album showcasing the more seedier side of Heavy Psychedelic Stoner Rock. The band have continued their relationship with Heavy Psych Sounds for this album and it’s no wonder why this album is such a first rate release from start to finish.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo.
Elusive Mojo will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from May 13th 2022.
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