Brian Jonestown Massacre – We Are The Radio Mini Album

It’s A Trip

Here’s the story: Anton Newcombe was living it up in San Francisco and feeling the whole Neo-Psychedelia scene and started The Brian Jonestown Massacre, named after the late Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones. After releasing eight albums (including the classically titled Thank God For Mental Illness) utilizing more than forty different musicians (including Peter Hayes of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club) through three different labels, Newcombe and the Massacre return with a mini compilation entitled We Are The Radio.The mere five tracks totaling just over fifteen minutes in length provides a short yet impressive taste. The hypnotic closer, “God is My Girlfriend,” is musically reminiscent of The Velvet Underground while lyrically of the Stones. With stark downbeats accompanied by Indian inspired bass and guitar, the principle is but a drone. “Teleflow 5 Vs. Audiosphere,” the most random of the bunch, features synthetic sounds muffled and morphed into a piece that has no real movement. The third track, “Time is Honey (So Cut the Shit),” begins the build of the album. Steady drum, guitar and bass keep the head boppin’. While the lyrics are at times difficult to comprehend, the harmonies add a dissonance to an otherwise kosher piece. Continuing the trend of strong, stiff beats, “Seer” features vocals redolent of Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane blended with psychedelic synthesizing. The “Norwegian Wood” resounding ending, “Never Become Emotionally Attached to Man, Woman, Beast or Child,” utilizes the psychedelic, folk vocals displayed in “Seer” as well as the Indian influenced embellishments heard throughout Radio.

Although anti-climactic and short in length, We Are The Radio is a tantalizing rush of experimental acid rock.