By Henry Lipput
Psychic Temple is a cult.
At least that's how head Psychic, songwriter, singer, producer, and guitarist Chris Schlarb describes the band. "At a certain point I just started calling it a cult," he explained in an interview in the September issue of Uncut magazine, "because of the way any band works under a leader with a vision."
Whether you call it a group or a cult, Psychic Temple has a unique sound. And I mean that in a really good way. I found out about the band in that issue of Uncut which also had a CD of new music attached to the cover. And that's how I heard "Dream Dictionary," a song that knocked me out. The rest of the album, since I heard it, has been in my head for a few months now.
So why did it take so long for me to write this review? I'm usually able to find artists or songs that help me to connect a new work to something I'm already familiar with. But that wasn't the case with IV. Of course, there are elements that I recognize and I enjoy on the album, but overall it's not something I have a familiarity with. And that, I came to realize, is a very good thing. But I'll see what I can come up with.
What I do recognize with IV is a jazzy, laid-back melodic 70s vibe. So it's not surprising that playing bass is 87-year old Max Bennett who also played on Joni Mitchell's Court and Spark, The Hissing of Summer Lawns, and Hejira. Her classic albums during that period are the closest thing I can think of as an overall point of reference.
IV is bookended by the land and water duo of the lovely, serene "Spanish Beach" and the instrumental "Isabella Ocean Blue." "Dream Dictionary" is one of my favorite songs on the album. It has a tune that sticks in your head and some really fine solo guitar work. And it also reminds me of an actual dream dictionary that my grandmother used to have: "I saw a child / Naked and wild / Look it up in your dream dictionary." I wonder what she would have made of that.
"Wait For Me" starts off with a gallop and would have been in heavy rotation on FM radio. "Turn Off The Lights" mixes things up with a sitar as a major part of the arrangement. "SOS" is a remake of "SOS (I've Got To Run)" which originally appeared on last year's Psychic Temple EP Two Songs About Cults that also included a cool cover of Tears For Fears' "Everybody Wants To Rule World." "Paper Tiger" features a great rockabilly riff that swings.
Psychic Temple's IV was recorded in Los Angeles over a series of large-scale sessions much like the work of the classic Wrecking Crew sessions for Phil Spector and the Beach Boys. In fact, "The Art Of Giving Up" has a real Pet Sounds feel to it. And "If I Don't Leave They'll Take Me Away" is a gorgeous tune that could have found a place on Kenny Rankin's wonderful Silver Morning album.
In addition, throughout the album, there are musical interludes in a range of tempos and instruments that connect the songs. (And when was the last time somebody did that?) It's one of the many things that make the album such a terrific listen.
IV is out now on Joyful Noise Recordings.
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