Psychedelic Speed Freaks – Psychedelic Speed Freaks

So I bought this for two reasons: first, because Black Editions are doing great work and second, I was interested to see what Munehiro Narita was doing now compared to 30 years ago. I'm not a huge disciple of High Rise or 光束夜 [Kousokuya], mostly for lack of exposure, but I was generally curious what happens to a titan of heavy psych after a decade or two. Well it does not appear Munehiro Narita has mellowed in any way. I was a little disappointed, even put off, that he was ed by two random white dudes, but after a little research and a lot of listens I realize they're not random white dudes and they hold up their end of the bargain. As the rhythmic foils to the psych guitar freaks outs they do a very nice job of keeping things propulsive without trying to out-play Munehiro. Though to be honest I could've gone for a just a little bit more wildness in the drums, but with the bass I have no complaints. The vocals are also weird, coming from a native English speaker instead of being indecipherable half-Japanese/half-English nonsense like most Japanese psych-rock. but the more I listened, the more it worked. maybe it seems like I'm pointing out all the "flaws" but what I mean to say is this album is half what you expect, and half what you need to get used to, but once you accept what's happening instead of pining for what you though it'd be it immediately shines like a gem.

this is top-tier, windows-down, hi-revving down the highway, fucking in the backseat, chugging liquor and snorting speed music, but it's so refined its just as good dead-ass sober. So if you fuck with heavy psych or like to drive muscle or JDM cars fast down the highway or like sweaty hookups in cramped spaces, do yourself and give this record a spin.