Great title and opener, though.

The Manic Excessive Sounds Of suggests so much. A sick title to start, the Warlocks, purveyors of LA psychedelic indie rock, claim to put forward their “wildest, weirdest offering yet,” in their 14th studio album (via the Warlocks website). Written in a day after period of creative inactivity that left frontman Bobby Hecksher feeling like he might be done making records, The Manic Excessive Sounds Of is the Warlock’s exploration, “of our paranoid times through huge rock chords and choruses, delicious distortion through a modern psychedelia lens,” and an offering of, “inspiration, ammunition and hope to navigate the insane backdrop of our modern times (via the Warlocks website).” It vows mayhem, twists and distinction that it doesn’t consistently deliver on throughout.

“It’s A Fucked Up World” is an excellent opening track for what The Manic Excessive Sound Of promises as a body of work. It takes an 8 minute ride through distorted, synth-layered vocals, moments of muted screams and both lulling and eerie guitar and drum instrumentals with fitting transitions and mood switches between. Its sonic cacophony and portrayed disillusionment and confusion compliment both the song and album titles, marking a promising beginning for what should be a messy, exciting ride. But then it just…fizzles out. The remaining tracks never quite reach a similar level of experimentation, intrigue or even chaos production wise, instead remaining rather tame and in line with other sounds already existing in the psychedelic indie rock space. Additionally, the commentary on the truly fucked up world we live in (no disagreements there) seems rather elementary at times “I can’t seem to pay attention to all the attention you need / what’s that your request expires today,” “I feel wrecked from this messed up world / But you make it fun again”. 

Finally, though this might be pure preference and an ill-fated one-man stand against a long-standing beloved genre norm, the heavy dead, speak-singing vocals leave much to be desired, creating issues with both clarity and enjoyment. Personal preference be damned, though, Hecksher has sounded better singing in a similar fashion on previous releases (“Double Life”, “Shake The Dope Out”, “Baby Blue”). 

In summary, The Manic Excessive Sound Of just doesn’t make good on its promise of weird and wild by remaining too safe and familiar sonically, too simple lyrically and vocally lacking. Still, nothing can take away from that title or opening track.