Pastoral pummel. Listening to Heron Oblivion's album feels like sitting in a lovely meadow in the shadow of a dam that's gonna heave-ho’ any minute. Members of this new San Francisco combo have put in time in both raging and relatively tranquil psychedelic sound units—this is the premise and the synergy behind this very unique and special new album. On the West Coast side, Ethan Miller and Noel Von Harmonson were together in Comets on Fire, who spent a large chunk of the mid-2000s playing unbridled, blistering rock worldwide, fueled by a steady diet of amphetaminized Crazy Horse, High Rise, MC5, Chrome, and Fushitsusha. Noel did time afterwards with Sic Alps and Six Organs of Admittance, while Miller settled into Howlin' Rain and Feral Ohms. Charlie Saufley resided at the psychedelic pop fringes with his band Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound (kindred spirits to Comets to be sure). He was joined in California by Meg Baird, a leading light in the modern psych-folk canon thanks to her work in Philadelphia’s Espers and as a solo artist (she is also the original drummer for Philly post-hardcore degenerates Watery Love). Three shades of light run through Heron Oblivion: Baird's rich, beautiful vocal approach, the locked-horns bass and drums of her and Miller's streamlined-but-motorik rhythm section, and a twin guitar tapestry that both aligns with the dreaminess of the songs and crackles out of containment to froth over the rim, punctuating Opal/Fairport moves with dramatic, explosive fuzz solos. Meg's gorgeous singing resides within an untouchable domain and never struggles, nor has to combat the avalanche of guitars that ebb and flow. The group first properly gigged in April of 2014 opening for War On Drugs. Most recently they toured the West Coast with Kurt Vile and Cass McCombs. Heron Oblivion was recorded at The Mansion in San Francisco by Eric Bauer. -Brian Turner/Music Director WFMU Jersey City NJ
N**N
Thank goodness for Amazon recommendations.
I have recently spent a great deal of time looking for some really good gritty, fuzzy, dirty blues. I haven't been able to find what I was looking for there, but I found exactly what I didn't know I was looking for with this.As others have stated, the album hearkens back to some 'golden age' sounds. Vocals are subdued but absolutely present. The guitar work is pristine and as fuzzy crunchy as I could have ever asked from anyone. The psych presence is perfectly present.Each song is excellently crafted. These musicians know what they're doing, and it seems they are trying to take Rock back. There's the fuzz reminiscent of Hendrix, the groovy folk vocals of Jefferson Airplane, and the general musicianship of all the greats.To end, I can say this album is an essential bridge from the 'classics' to the contemporary Rock scene. It's sure to delight audiences on either side of the bridge. As it should have always been.Easy five stars and currently my favorite record of the year.
F**3
This is great folk - psych
Been a fan of Assemble Head and Comets on Fire, but wasn't familiar with Meg Baird. This is great folk - psych: great jams, dynamics and hooks as well. There are several themes that appear lifted from the last Assemble Head album (Manzanita) but worked into full bloom rather than a throw off riff.I've seen several reviews compare to Sandy Denny era Fairport Convention and I can see that, but don't come to this expecting another Leige and Lief. Maybe if they had recorded an album while Richard Thompson was doing acid, but otherwise, I don't think so.Best part, to me, is how they work the dynamics in - lull you to sleep (or just mellow attitude) then clobber your with a power riff.Assemble Head, Quest For Fire, Black Mountain - if you like those bands, you'll like this one.
D**E
Sublime...
I may have picked up on these comparisons in other reviews but try to picture a vocalist who at times sounds like a cross between Annie Halsam and Sandy Denny teaming up with Neil Young, Richard Thompson and maybe John Cippolina and playing psychedelic music like they invented it. This is simply a brilliant recording with songs that go from a whisper to a screeching growl in the bat of an eye. Ethan Miller's (Howlin' Rain) presence in the role of bass player doesn't hurt either. My favorite recording of the year so far. I am unfamiliar with their individual and collective recording histories (except for Howlin'Rain) and look forward to catching up with their previous works. Amazing.
T**N
Perfect psychedelic west coast music
Perfect psychedelic west coast music. Absolutely perfect. I played this CD many times in the past few weeks and treasured each track every time. Life can have dark moments but heron oblivion will keep the loneliness at bay. I truly hope their tour may graze the Tennessee valley, or come to the southeast somehow.
E**C
Amazing Debut
What an amazing debut album. Not a weak song on the album. The singer's pure, ethereal voice floats through the full frontal freak out guitar assault. Just beautiful.
L**S
New generation psychedelia!
I listen to a lot of music - for a lot of moods. As I've gotten older, I don't care for "pop" - the 2.25 minute songs, and need some instrumentals for long periods just while I read and smoke my pipe. One turns to jazz, some classical, but miss the guitar in the music. This music is classical-psychedelic - and it drives my brain! Putting it on late one night, I was AWAKENED! Not jarred, not hurt, but suddenly was alive! It's not nostalgia for the old psychedelia - this is new - the vibes are lush, melodical, but driving! It's now required listening for much of my work, driving, playing! I hope Heron Oblivion create more! I play it for my grandchildren.
D**N
Five Stars
I have " worn the groves off " this one ......
D**O
Won't disappoint.
Some of the best guitar work of 2016Top tracks:Rama, beneath fields, and Faro is strangely fun
S**J
new retro....bliss
I come new to the constituent parts( musician wise) to this band, and my initial reaction was , what a gorgeous bloody mess this is . Its on a label that rarely gets it wrong, taste wise, well at least as far as I am concerned, having recently succumbed to the delights of Shearwater ( after what was a hesitant initial reaction) also on Sub Pop, the labels cache was on an upwards trajectory, so what could go wrong? Very little it seems, I like guitars( tick) I love a bit of hedonistic freak outery( tick) I love great female vocals ( tick) I'm a big fan of both psych music and folk rock( tick) especially Fairport Convention or Jefferson Airplane, to whom they bear some almost inevitable comparisons, in so far as if the Fairports were making music today , it would sound like this album.It all sounds a bit rough, not overly polished, produced with a light touch rather than feeling like some runny honey that eventually gets too much...this is a relatively raw album and all the better for it.It is also an album that needs your attention, your individual attention, it's not particularly for sharing, and enjoys flipping you about both in terms of pace and dynamics and mood ..it has got the lot, contender for album of the year I suspect, but there's a fair way to go yet.
T**M
Not the band Heron
A mix of psyche-folk and prog (I think). To be honest I bought this by mistake as I thought it was the English band Heron and the album was called Oblivion. Still worth checking out though. Quiet and loud, kids! Quiet and loud.
R**S
From Despair into Rapture
Composed riffing, astounding tunes, and heart wrenching vocals from Meg Baird and Co.
J**K
If you like Espers then you should listen to this
Like a heavier version of Espers. As another reviewer says there will been dancing but put it on, turn it up loud and listen. Wonderful music.
Y**Y
Great album
Great album. If you like alt folk rock, buy!
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