TIP OF THE TONGUE 16 JULY 2006
Ex-Cocaine
Keep America Mellow
Killertree Records KTR-001
LP
OUT OF STOCK!
LP with beautifully screened reversed white-on-black cover art from the duo of Mike C and Bryan Ramirez (ex-Universal Indians/Plants). The sound here is classic wipe-out basement USA, with psych moves that hit the vertical with alla the force of doofy smoke-rings of boo. Immediate formal models seem to be the Twisted Village/Siltbreeze back catalogue, especially the many guises of Wayne Rogers, complete with head-lolling stoned vocal style. The absence of any drum propulsion outside of the occasional percussive intervention makes for a great loaded-to-the-floor feel and heightens the overall static/modal atmopshere and the guitar playing is just beautiful, luminous slugs of intimately caressed amphetamine/blues giving way to plumes of hi-rise immolation. This is a great shot of American stone that harks back to the nascent liberated psych moves of the 80s/90s and it feels great to hear a buncha hands wrestling with guitar strings as opposed to kneeling beside em and just staring. They call it rock. Don't stop. Last ever pressing, 300 copies only.
