The Black Angels - Phosphene Dream (2010) Review
The Black Angels are a psychedelic rock band from Austin, Texas that formed in 2004. The album is a peek into the world of 60s-inspired psychedelic rock where gritty, dark sounds and a heavy touch of nostalgia reign supreme. The Black Angels do not shy away from the comparison to the 13th Floor Elevators and proudly wear the Rocky Erickson influence on their sleeve.
Phosphene Dreams opens with “Bad Vibrations,” a track that immediately immerses you in its psychedelic soundscape. The tremolo guitar sounds transport you to a bygone era of mind-expanding music, while Alex Maas’ voice sort of reminds me of the iconic Grace Slick. The switch-up in the outro is a highlight, setting the stage for the album's dark and mesmerizing themes and soundscapes.
"Haunting at 1300 McKinley" continues the psychedelic journey with a cool intro riff and top-notch fuzz tones. The drum groove adds depth and I really love it, though I think a little more could have been done with the track.
With reverb-soaked guitars and a 60s-inspired riff, "Yellow Elevator #2" sounds like Pink Floyd's early days particularly Syd Barrett’s Piper at the Gates of Dawn. The song's final section is captivating, slowing down the tempo to create that unmistakable 60s psych atmosphere. “Sunday Afternoon is a fine song. It is not one of my favorites especially because they tackle this soundscape better on other songs. The outro of the song is the best part of it. “River of Blood” has some interesting build-ups and rhythms and it’s fine, but not one of the standouts.
"Entrance Song" greets you with one of the standout guitar riffs of the early 2010s psychedelic rock scene. The riff is so simple, yet always manages to get stuck in my head. The driving drumbeat and bass complement the lyrics, and the use of feedback adds an extra layer of intensity.
The title track, "Phosphene Dream," stands out for its good production. The track is drenched in reverb which is something I love in psychedelic music, but I can see how that sound can be a turnoff for some people. The guitar effects, possibly stemming from strong tremolo or a Leslie speaker, create a wild and vivid landscape.
"True Believers" is easily my favorite song on the album. I definitely have a bias because it is the first song I heard from the Black Angels and I loved it right away because it is right up my alley. I love more mystical-sounding psych rock ( “Siberian Breaks” is a masterpiece) The acoustic-folksy 60s psych guitar creates an intriguing ambiance, and the backing vocals add depth, making it one of the album's highlights.
"Telephone" brings arguably the most poppy and upbeat sound to the album. Absolutely catchy. The synth organ adds an interesting layer to the mix and the vocal performance shines, although I do wish the backing vocals stood out a bit more. The album concludes with "The Sniper," the most bluesy psych-rock song on the record. It offers some memorable guitar moments, though the mix can verge on overwhelming at times.
Phosphene Dream by The Black Angels is a psychedelic journey through 60s-inspired rock, filled with a dark, Rocky Erickson-type sound and lots of nostalgia. The album is the perfect length, any longer and I feel like the motifs and sound of the album would start to tire. Whether you're looking to get high or simply immerse yourself in the hazy world of psych rock, Phosphene Dream is a pretty decent listen.
7/10 - Good