Violet Swells- 2014 - The Soft Focus

Quality: 3.75 out of 5
Trip-O-Meter: 3.75 out of 5

This EP is a fun celebration of the poppier side of psychedelia.  Following along the lines of British psych rocking and mellotrons along with a dash of California sun, the set is the end result of paisley-painted factory machines, but it's a pretty well-made product.

The first couple tunes rank in as very passable psych-pop with swirling carnival organs, but it's the later two that make a bit more of a mark.  "Miracles of a Clockwork Kingdom" forges a more atmospheric sound as an instrumental featuring a swinging rhythm and some 1966-vibing, L.A. studio musician tremolo guitar.  As the title would suggest, "Soft Focus" is hard to pin your brain upon, morphing through a variety of motifs ala the Buffalo Springfield's "Broken Arrow."  It's all quicksilver through your neurons.

We're probably getting more psych running through the pipe these days than folks did in the 60's.  Ten years ago a release like this would have been among my new gods (think Elephant 6), but I still think Violet Swells nicely passes the litmus test for listenability.  There's nothing particularly earthshaking going on, but it's a seamless, enjoyable ride.

Focus on over here:
Violet Swells- 2014 - The Soft Focus