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.

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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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"