~by Paul Mattson
78
While not the instant classic it could have been, Napa Asylum an incredibly impressive record. Napa Asylum plays out like an ode to the past with a nod to the present. The tunes possess a timeless quality that is both comfortably familiar and refreshingly new. Like a long lost demo tape from an amazing band that was recently rediscovered. The music feels deconstructed with songs stripped down to their basic core, and presented in a low-fi hiss reminiscent of early Guided by Voices albums. The result is noise drenched psychedelic garage rock that is muddy yet vibrant.The record as a whole seems to suffer from a lack of ambition, the effort put forth doesn't feel worthy of the talent behind it. Some tracks border on brilliance while others seem like half-hearted attempts. I realize that not every song needs to be a home run, (but at least swing the bat when the bases are loaded). Maybe I'm being a bit harsh, but this band is so ripe with potential that my expectations are high.
I predict this band will garner a rabid fan base (consider me one). A real diamond in the rough. Standout tracks include: ‘The First White Man to Touch California Soil’, ‘Do You Want to Give $$?’, and ‘Meter Man’.
For Fans of: Guided by Voices, The Beatles
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