Big ol' self-indulgent experiment here by the Trail. It's being released in really three different forms. Once, with the songs all tuned in D. Another with the same songs tuned in F. And then a collection of the songs is presented as one continuous track. All in a Dr. Parnassus sized booklet. How does it fly, then?Not unlike the previous Trail record, "Century Of Self". In other words, a wall of sound. A wall of garage sound. The opener, "Pure Radio Cosplay" is a great methed-up "Jumpin' Jack Flash". But there's more than that...
Can't think of a proper band, but "The Wasteland" sounds like a post-grunge modern rock radio band. 70s big pop Wings/10cc harmonies with Nirvana crunch verses. Complete with a throwback ELP Moog solo. You're seeing the self-indulgence, right? They're either reeling themselves in from experimenting too far, or they're "staying true" to their roots. Regardless, mixing old school Trail with a Decemberists-style written song like "Weight of the Sun" is a difficult listen. And we get that a few times in this record. "Ebb Away", on the other hand, is a straight aheader that this writer would have like more of.
This is all capped by a 16-minute groove epic mini opera called "Strange News from Another Planet" which is actually good stoner progressive space rock. It'll be hard to give many listens to, due to its length and drone. But if you like the weedpot, I'd highly recommend. (2.5 of 5 stars)
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