Sic Alps - U.S. EZ LP

The Siltbreeze seal of approval blessed the first proper long player by San Francisco’s Sic Alps in 2008. I could go on about this period and the significance of Siltbreeze, a new lo-fi internationalism (locals Naked On The Vague and Fabulous Diamonds got 2008 Siltbreeze releases, Sic Alps had a local presence via Stained Circles), the shitgaze spirit emboldening a developing local scene, the void left by the music industries conservative retreat post-Global Financial Crisis creating the conditions for a reinvigorated spirit of D-I-Y…. etc… but let’s do that another time.

Instead, here’s a brief sound blurb on ‘U.S. EZ’ a great, psychedelic rock album. While the album opens with an era appropriate garage clang and howl comparable to The Hunches (a wonderful pre-Lavender Flu band) it then settles into a spacious but certainly not soft psych. Brittle and vibrant textures pop out of a hazy dynamic, song-based but with turnt (era appropriate slang for under the influence of alcohol or drugs) soundpiece touches. The spirit of a laidback Hendrix, 13th Floor Elevators, first four years of Floyd, Royal Trux circa Skulls/Cats & Dogs, The Bachs, British psych-folk eccentrics, but in the sound universe of Eat Skull, Pink Reason, Hospitals etc — Nic