Advertisement

Album reviews Music

Wand

Rating: NNN


Los Angeles-based four-piece Wand contribute to the revitalized psych rock genre with their debut album out on Ty Segall’s Drag City imprint. It’s got the light touch of Tame Impala (or the Zombies) without the pronounced studio inventiveness, the hooks of Temples without the overt 60s retro-ness, and some fat guitar tones that counterbalance Cory Hanson’s airy vocals with sweet heaviness. (Hanson has spent time in Pangea, Meatbodies, WHITE and Mikal Cronin’s band.)

Things gets off to a pleasant, somewhat meek start, but bongo-touched Clearer soon stands out for its forceful, head-turning melodies, while multi-part Fire On The Mountain (I-II-III) – effortlessly moving from psych sprawl to metal to folk – suggests some prog-tinged ambition hiding inside the band’s jean jacket sleeves. Flying Golem has hooks, propulsive stomp and trippy synths, the last of which are always high in the mix and also make Strange Inertia a standout.

Top track: Fire On The Mountain (I-II-III)

Wand play Smiling Buddha on Friday (September 19).

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Recently Posted