The Brian Wilson Shock Treatment - "We Are"
(Slutfish Records/POE Records 2003, SLUT 046)
The Brian Wilson Shock Treatment - "We Are"
(Slutfish Records/POE Records 2003, SLUT 046)
Uploaded to Aural Innovations: December 2003
We Are is the second release from The Brian Wilson Shock Treatment, who play a kick ass brand of psychedelic garage rock that is soaked in paisley colored memories of the 60's. The band consists of Brian Rose on rhythm guitar and vocals, Edward Wilson on lead guitar and vocals, Tanya Robertson on bass and vocals, Cliff Ferdon on drums (and guitar "Kristi Is A Flower"), Mr. Starry Night on lead guitars and Bonnie Kane on flute and saxophone. (Hopefully longtime Slutfish fans and regular Aural Innovations readers will recognize those last 3 ubiquitous names.)
The band are at their best on fiery, thrashing and deliciously psychedelic garage rockers like "Brain On Fire", "The Shiny Porpoise" and "Colin Powell Ferguson". I really dig those warbling efx'd vocals on "Brain On Fire", which go so nicely with the pounding air assault bass, crashing guitars and winding trip licks. The stoned, marching, science fiction psychedelia of "Death Star 5" is hard to resist. And "Headless And Happy" demonstrates how the Shock Treatment can thrash your brain and lovingly lull you in the same song.
"Twenty Eight Hundred" is a highlight song, the number of the title referring to the number of hits of ecstasy that was the writer's fantasy. A fun, ecstasy-laced pop-psych song with a catchy melody, and a guitar bit that brings to mind an old Rolling Stones (or some such) song. "Josephine" is a well crafted song with a similar 60's pop-psych style. (Though the brief thrash bit in the middle will give you a good kick in the ass.) "Theme Of The Cyclops" is an instrumental that sounds like it might feel at home alongside Ennio Morricone in a Clint Eastwood western. "Kristi Is A Flower" is a cool tune that alternates between dreamy acoustic segments and brain twisting psych rock. Finally... and what a wrap-up this is... we've got The Brian Wilson Shock Treatment actually joining Syd Barrett for a round of his mindbending song, "Opel". Wow! (Hey, it could haaaaapen!)
In summary, The Brian Wilson Shock Treatment are yet another gold notch on the wall for the folks at Slutfish. If you like your psychedelia raw and played with a mischievous sneer leering behind that flower power smile, then check these guys out.
For more information you can visit the Slutfish Records web site at: http://www.slutfishrecords.com.
Contact via snail mail c/o Slutfish Worldwide; 327 Bedford Ave #A2; Brooklyn, NY 11211.
Reviewed by Jerry Kranitz