A Vintage Rock Record from The Psychotic Reactions
If you're not yet familiar with The Psychotic Reactions, let us be among the first to introduce you, as they have recently released a set of songs under the title Don't Take My Side.
The record is gleaming with this vintage soundscape, and you can tell there was a lot of attention to detail when it came to the tones of the guitar, the recording of the drums, and how the vocals even came across.
A lot of attributes about this record are influenced by this '60s or mid-70s style tones, and it works like a charm because they give off this garage Rock and fuzz-coated approach that works amazingly with how the vocals come across, and in doing so, they're able to combine a perfect blend of color and edginess.
This is a record that you need to listen to from beginning to end. There are more than a few surprises around the corners, and one of my favorite aspects about the whole thing is this almost live performance style energy that they give off.
The title track, "Don't Take My Side", gives a bit of personality lyrically. There's a lot that's said, and it feels like it comes from some authentic place.
This song stretches out and feels smooth with this natural and forward-moving flow that helps really create this vast undertone and atmosphere that you fall right into.
You hear some of that psychedelic rock influence in the veins of this track, and it works perfectly as an introduction to the rest of the record simply because it does showcase some of the staples that you're going to hear throughout the full album.
However, again, you should not be skipping songs.
This is a very lush record, and the guitar work is outstanding, sometimes in great layers and textures that sit on top of each other and help build those atmospheres super well.
Each track has a particular way of standing on its own two feet, but when you listen to the record altogether, it creates a sort of experience.
Certain tracks pull you in lyrically more than others. Songs like "Answer", get detailed and sort of descriptive, which ends up addicting and really letting that character come through.
There's also a beautiful vocal approach on this track and others. The vocals are sort of alluring and have a subtle softness to them that works wonderfully with the music.
The energy is always very well balanced between the two. The vocals and music itself have a way of melting together and creating one pretty amazing soundscape.
Again, it's this fluctuation of energy that makes the record work so incredibly well.
Certain tracks are more upbeat and have a lot of pop flavor to them with color, vibrancy, and a vivacious approach, while others have that subtle softness and tell stories, come through smooth, and I feel sort of calming in a way.
It's the way they perform together. It almost sounds like they recorded this record live on the floor, and everyone involved was feeding off of each other's energies the entire time.
The arrangements are awesome, and you can tell there was plenty of attention given to the composition of songs, but it's the performances that really have heart and put you there in the moment with them.
This was a fun record that surely did give me some pleasant surprises, great energy, and an overall understanding that I want to go see them play live.
It's not often that you hear a record and immediately know that that band is going to be great in a live performance setting, but here it is undeniable.
The record certainly has some punch but also has a gracefulness and its approach, and the combination of those two things alone makes this well worth listening to.
Oozing with character, personality, and just these delicious jams that give you the warmth of garage-pop, rock, and hints of that vintage tonality all make for an album that leaves an impact.
You can dance to this, sing along to certain tracks, or just soak in the layers of texture that are happening around you.
Actually, this is a great record to listen to with headphones on because then you can drink in all of those great aesthetics and atmospheres delivered.
Take a deep dive into this record as soon as you can and let it swim in the air that surrounds you.
Remember where you heard it first.
