Release Date: July 28th 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD
Reefer Chamber: Tracklisting
1.Reefer Chamber 05:34
2.Mountain High 04:27
3.Glass Brain 05:40
4.Every Day 01:24
5.My Weight (In Bud) 04:11
6.Red 05:02
Members
Ashley Ashbrook - Guitar, Vocals
Matt Clark - Bass, Vocals
Elliott Harrell - Drums, Background Vocals
Review:
Doom/Stoner Rockers Marijuana Johnson return after a two and a half year absence with their new album Reefer Chamber. As with their last album, Gem City Kush, Marijuana Johnson standout from the overcrowded WEEDIAN scene by exploring areas of Hard Rock and Punk Rock for a more fleshed out sound. The album is mostly powered by those powerful SABBATHIAN fumes with a classic style of Hard Rock that sees elements of Blue Cheer, Led Zepp and the mighty SLEEP appearing on this album.
There’s a great sense of humour appearing within this album which reminds me of BONGZILLA and WEEDEATER that did appear within their previous album. This album has a more free-flowing Classic Rock attitude with the Punk Rock vocals being the icing on the cake. Marijuana Johnson offer a “NO FRILLS” blend of Doom/Stoner Rock and it’s a refreshing change of style especially on the excellent opening tracks of Reefer Chamber and Mountain High.
Marijuana Johnson seem they’ve taken creative influence from the legendary “anti-weed” films such as Reefer Madness with the opening two tracks explaining the benefits of the mighty weed but told with a “not so serious” narrative and attitude appearing mostly within Reefer Chamger. The grooves have a certain “LO-FI” edge which makes Marijuana Johnson music more appealing to the Stoner masses.
The added use of subtle humour comes into play more on Mountain High and Glass Brain where the band go more Doomedelic with some of the most haziest and laidback sounds appearing on Glass Brain. This track feels like it has come from a different band but there’s a wonderful sense of familiarity when the heavy FUZZED grooves appear for some of the best sounds on the album.
There’s some epic levels of Electric Wizard inspired HEAVINESS within this album which Marijuana Johnson explores to their full advantage but with rebellious Punk Rock identity appearing on tracks Glass Brain, My Weight (In Bud) and Red.
Reefer Chamber has superbly realised production values that allows Marijuana Johnson to play a wide array of different Hard Rock themes whilst being a KICK-ASS Doom/Stoner Rock album within its own right. The album never takes itself too seriously and proves why Marijuana Johnson are one of the most fun and highly energetic bands within the Stoner Rock scene.
This album is an absolute blast of sublime grooves from start to finish. Plain and simple.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Marijuana Johnson for the promo.
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