Release Date: November 04th 2023. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Volume Two - Tracklisting
1.A Moment Expanded (A Form Constant) 18:36
2.Flesh Of The Gods
3.Psychic Aloha
Members
Bill Stinson - Drums
Gary Arce - Guitar
Billy Cordell - Bass
Bob Balch - Guitar
Review
Psych Desert/Stoner Rock collective Yawning Balch returns with Volume Two which arrives four months after releasing the dazzling Volume One. This time round the band offer a more majestic Post-Rock style of music compared to the heavier sounds on Volume One. Creating emotionally charged music that has an air of Pink Floyd commanding use of Psychedelic Rock especially on the epic opening track A Moment Expanded (A Form Constant) which drifts into dreamlike stances of Post-Rock, Desert Rock and the dominant Stoner Rock sound that has a sense of urgency to it all.
The instrumental beats do become heavier when the mood calls for this but this is a band that sounds leagues ahead of other bands by harnessing the true Psychedelic Power of the Desert Rock scene. The lush sounding complex melodies and progressive structures adds a more constant tone especially down to the wonderful rhythm section of Bill Stinson (Drums) and Billy Cordell (Bass) working in complete unison which allows the epic swirling guitars of Gary Arce and Bob Balch providing a more experimental Ambient feel. The song’s main strength is how it sounds completely different to the members main bands whilst retaining a sense of familiarity to allow listeners into their incredible world of subtle Psychedelic grooves.
The other two tracks Flesh Of The Gods and Psychic Aloha continue with the Progressive and Psychedelic feeling with that Ambient driven Post-Rock score with moments of intense long-ranging extended instrumental jams whilst having a cinematic creative approach throughout these both tracks. Both these tracks together offer twenty three minutes of pure Desert Rock musical exploration.
Psychic Aloha sees Yawning Balch add various synths to the album with the album that has a slightly more experimental feel but features the most outstanding instrumental sounds on the entire album.
Yawning Balch overlaps different levels of Desert Rock heaviness on the album which you don’t fully appreciate until after many repeated listens. The album can be quite JAZZY and forward thinking in places when compared to Volume One. This is the perfect companion piece with Volume Two perhaps the most daring and wonderfully creative of the two albums that Yawning Balch have put together.
Teaming up yet again with one of the best record labels within the scene that is Heavy Psych Sounds for this album. You know the album will sound incredible as with all Heavy Psych Sounds releases to do. Volume Two has sublime production values throughout that make this album the complete package when it comes to Instrumental Rock albums. I’m hoping this isn’t the end of Yawning Balch’s musical journey and they’ll release more amazing volumes of music such as this for a very long time to come.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.
Volume Two will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from November 03rd 2023.
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