SEE & HEAR: Secret Colours - "Faust" + EP3

Secret Colours seem to be one of the few consistently great independent bands that have suffered the injustice of being overlooked by the music listener. I’d be lying if I told you I’ve been keeping up with their output for the past few years, but I’d be telling the God’s honest truth if I said that each time I check in with them, I’m never disappointed. If you’ve tasted a psychedelic/post-psychedelic cocktail – it’s a metaphor, hopefully for most of you – and always come out feeling less than excited, Secret Colours are probably what you’ve been searching for. I think the mark of a compelling band is one that champions a certain genre of music honestly, sounding more like forefathers and less like offspring. With the confident stride of britpop propelling them forward, Secret Colours carry on the psychedelic rock torch with heads held high, lost in a haze of psychedelia.

REVIEW: Maserati - Pyramid of the Sun

Maserati - Pyramid of the Sun
MMMM1/2

A pyramid exists when three points converge, meeting at a single point. Maserati, a Georgia-based quartet, lost their drummer, Gerhardt "Jerry" Fuchs, in a tragic accident last year. Before Fuchs' death, Maserati were in the midst of working on a new album, for which Fuchs had recorded a number of drum tracks. The future of the band and their new album were put into question following the loss of Fuchs, one of the most significant creative forces behind their sound. The three remaining members (guitarists Matt Cherry and Coley Dennis, bassist Chris McNeal) were adamant about completing the album, uniting to ensure that something special would result from Jerry Fuchs’ final recordings.

It’s hard to think of an album other than Pyramid of the Sun that speaks more distinctly and eloquently to the spirit, heart, and mind without the utterance of one single word. Without words, Maserati have managed to create a moving memorial for their fallen friend, brother, and musical partner. Pyramid of the Sun is the sound of hope in darkness and the ability and strength of memory to defeat pain and mortality. Maserati are defined by their precision and timing, racing with a sleek and fervent sound. They aren’t about songs as much as they are about the harmony of movement, pace, and direction. With Pyramid of the Sun, we hear the unity of four musically like-minded individuals resulting in one powerful collective force.

LISTEN: Secret Colours Offer Up 2 New Songs for Free Download

Chicago psych rockers Secret Colours just released a new two song single/EP entitled In The Absence for free download. I'm particularly fond of the title track for its perfect balance between psych and pop. Some psych bands can really lose their heads inside the kaleidoscopic sounds of their music, making the songs lose their cohesion and direction. But on "In The Absence," Secret Colours pair psychedelic guitars -- and what sounds like a sitar -- with a strong pop hook. The melody is relaxed and understatedly confident, working a Britpop influence into the band's psych blood. It's a brooding tune that takes flight on its waves of psych. Hear and download "In The Absence and the acoustic, more upbeat second track "Carry My Soul" below.

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VIDEO: Flying Lotus - "MmmHmm"

Well, you got funked up on Tuesday, and now it's time to go on a visual and mental odyssey. Check out the absolutely, trippy-epitomizing video for Flying Lotus' "MmmHmm". Whether you're floating through space, following a character through a level of "Mario" (yeah, the video game), watching an arrowhead cut through what looks like the world of Tron, or watching the man grow out of the virtual reality graphics, this Special Problems-directed video is one interesting piece of art.

So, as far as I can tell, this all took place in one special watermelon. Didn't it?

LISTEN: The Debut LP from Secret Colours

(Photo: Eddie O'Keefe)

Chicago's Secret Colours wear their influences well. The band nails a sound that pays homage to the greats of the 1960's psychedelic garage rock sound, joining the sonic ranks of The Raveonettes, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and the Brian Jonestown Massacre (I'd even say they remind me a bit of the Jesus and Mary Chain). It's rough enough to be garage but it also drifts into waves of psychedelia, just so, in the best ways. The band also manages to squeeze in bits of country and shoegaze into its sound. I could try to hammer out a more direct description, but as the band says on their MySpace, "Whatever you hear, you're probably right."

The band is independently releasing their self-titled debut LP August 3rd, but you can hear it right now below.

And if anyone's trying to find the proper soundtrack for a western, I believe this band would be a good choice for scoring it. Hear the proof yourself with the aptly titled "Western".

Secret Colours - "Western"

MGMT Offer Up "Flash Delirium"

That album cover for MGMT's new album, Congratulations, is more of an indicator of what to expect on the inside. Today, the band unveiled a track from the album entitled "Flash Delirium," which is probably only about one word off from where you'll be after listening to it.

By now, most are aware that MGMT are into the psychedelic side of things, but they've never seemed to fully embrace such a sound on record. With "Flash Delirium" -- and most likely the rest of Congratulations -- the band has finally broken into its psychedelic leanings in full force.

MP3: MGMT - "Flash Delirium" (via MGMT's official site)

The song sews a lot of influences together. There are '60s reverb-soaked background vocals, passages of '70s-era flute, and dreamy '80s-styled synthesizers. The song even manages to drift into the punk realm with the spastic ending. So, maybe it's more of an amalgamation of their favorite elements of the past few decades. Whatever the case may be, it's great to know there's still a band at this level of notoriety willing to take chances and be adventurous.

Congratulations is out April 13th via Sony/Columbia.