Release Date: May 01st 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD
Take A Ride - Tracklisting
1.Mother Ship 07:01
2.I Run 07:43
3.Take A Ride 06:33
4.Orbit 10:02
5.Disconnect 05:27
6.Wormhole 10:00
Review
Take A Ride is the third full length album from Psych Doom/Stoner Rock Band Neon Burton. The band impressed me greatly with their 2021 effort Mighty Mondeo. Neon Burton play a Psychedelic blend of Space Rock, Doom Rock and Stoner Rock but spliced with cinematic Post-Rock sounds. You could call the music Post-Doom or Post-Stoner as Neon Burton easily moves in between those two different styles of music.
The album does have elements of sounds and influence from bands such as Weedpecker, Earthless, Russian Circles and Pelican. Take A Ride does take time to fully get moving with the Ambient driven style of Stoner Rock heard on the opening track Mother Ship.
The song is superbly played with moments of lush Psychedelic vibes and Progressive based Space Rock passages. Subtle vocal passages appear here and there to give the album a more creative feel. However, when Neon Burton brings a heavier style of music then the album takes off in a whole different direction. The atmosphere becomes more FUZZ based and shows signs of the classic Desert/Stoner Rock scene.
Second track I Run starts calmly and slowly with the Monster Magnet inspired lyrics allowing listeners early on what type of track this will become. Neon Burton play a mellow blend of Stoner Rock for the first few moments before venturing into heavier areas of seedy and muscular Stoner Rock/Metal which also has a certain Grunge quality to it. Perhaps one of the standout tracks of the album.
Third track Take A Ride has another Psychedelic soft opening which is calming and soothing with the semi-acoustic drive Neon Burton opt for the first few moments. There’s some swirling Blues Rock grooves that become more Doom based as time passes. The vocals are soulful with the music offering little moments of blissful heaviness which become more apparent and focused on the later stages of the track.
The next track Orbit is one of two tracks that last for around the ten minutes mark. This is where Neon Burton proves their creative worth with some of the best ideas and interesting grooves on the album. The track is expansive with Neon Burton employing different styles of Doomed Out Stoner Rock for this track. The Ambient Post-Rock themes are used superbly well yet again on the early stages of the track. Offering a more Progressive sound with Neon Burton wisely choosing the right moments to unleash some mighty fine Stoner Metal riffs that packs a mighty punch in the volume department.
The final two tracks Disconnect and Wormhole explore the Space Rock themes even further with Wormhole being the other ten minutes track included on the album. Neon Burton plays the QUIET vs LOUD dynamics superbly well mostly on Wormhole. Wormhole is perhaps my favourite track on the album with Neon Burton showcasing what great storytellers they are.
Take A Ride is a great album from Neon Burton with its fine style of LOW KEY cinematic sounds against the bombastic Stoner Metal parts. The album can be quite surreal in certain places but it’s the overall journey Neon Burton takes you upon with this album that makes this such a stunning album to add to your record collection.
Words by Steve Howe
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