Release Date: 08th March 2024. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Stuck On Common Ground - Tracklisting
1.Ingraved
2.1234 me
3.Headless Blues
4.Interlude #1
5.Train Tracks
6.Narcolepsy
7.Black Disease
8.Interlude #2
9.Blow Out
10.Tilt Mode
Members
Lois Lane - GUITAR / VOCALS
Maurice - DRUMS
Pan - BASS / SYNTH
Review
Stuck On Common Ground is the debut album from Psychedelic Stoner Rockers HIJSS who also focus upon bringing elements of Grunge, Noise Rock, Blues Rock and a healthy dose of Punk Rock swagger to the album. The sound is quite volatile with a catchy and aggressive 1990’s subtle Alternative flavour with HIJSS operating with a stripped back melody to their music whilst allowing a rip-roaring Sludge Rock attitude appearing within the lyrics, vocals and the heavy guitars when everything becomes more aggressive.
The opening tracks of Ingraved and 1234me allows HIJSS the perfect opportunity to play a stylish version of Grunge and Psychedelic Stoner Rock with moments of Electronic charged rhythms which soon transforms into a heavy Krautrock movement which allows the Noise Rock atmosphere to be brimming with Punk Rock attitude. There’s a level of sonic based distortion which allows HIJSS to play some original music of their own even within the early stages of the album.
Third track Headless Blues weaves Blues Rock dominance with an almost experimental Punk Rock dynamics with levels of Psychedelic and Cosmic energy which adds another thrilling aspect to their music that remains quite upbeat with that rebellious nature the vocals and lyrics are delivered within this track alone.
Fourth track Interlude#1 is a Electronic and Psychedelic instrumental track which can be quite eccentric in places but hazy Blues Rock energy just works within the Post-Rock flow of the whole track. It’s quite a creative departure from the previous tracks but allows HIJSS to gear up for the next round of Psychedelic craziness the album has in store for the listener.
The following songs of Train Tracks, Narcolepsy and Black Disease sees HIJSS take a darker approach with the album. As the music becomes quite seedy with that wicked Punk Rock and Stoner Rock vibe that soon transforms into Electronic noises, beats, sounds and Freakly glitches which shouldn’t really work within the Stoner Rock movement but HIJSS pull this off with great style. The band still moves further into the classic style of Desert/Stoner Rock especially within Narcolepsy with Lois Lane’s vocals being quite surreal and reaching to high levels of volume.
After the wicked instrumental track Interlude #2 sees HIJSS return to the destructive best with the final two tracks Blow Out and Tilt Mode being the most riff driven and anthemic parts of the album especially on Blow Out. There’s a darker sensibility appearing within the lyrics despite some of the more uplifting instrumental moments being played on these tracks.
Heavy Psych Sounds are releasing this album and you all know what to expect from one of the best labels within the Stoner Rock/Metal scene and that’s why Stuck On Common Ground doesn’t disappoint within the production quality department.
Stuck On Common Ground is a breath of fresh air with it’s catchy, aggressive and experimental grooves which still remains a first rate Stoner Rock album from start to finish. The production values are superbly realised and perhaps considered to be more Punk Rock based especially with the stripped back atmospherics which allows HIJSS to explore multiple different genres and remain superbly original from start to finish.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.
