The Works
s/t
Subliminal Sounds
This Stockholm band has close ties to Dungen, which comes as no surprise after a few listens to the dense psychedelia on this debut. Everything about it screams "1967"--the acid rock, the guitar sounds, the album art. Sometimes that's a good thing, like on opener "Everybody", with its rousing chorus and overall feeling of discovery but suitable restraint from solo excesses. The wide-eyed, booming "Speak your mind" is a good showcase for the vocal range of Andreas Stellan. Elsewhere though, hallmarks of bad psych-rock creep in: endless guitar noodling, straying from the melody, even a flute part! If you're into psych-rock and can accept the excesses mentioned above, The Works just might be for you.
- Matthew W. Smith