The Radiation Flowers/Psychic Void
The Radiation Flowers
Stuck In A Maze // Independent
In late November, Saskatoon legends, The Radiation Flowers, dropped a floral-psyche bomb surprise on the Prairies, announcing the release of Stuck In a Maze (Physical copies available December 21st). The band’s discography has seen its share of lineup changes throughout the years, and Stuck In A Maze is no exception, with the addition of Lucas Goetz (former intermittent band member) as a permanent fixture on the recordings, and Toby Bond on the viola.
What I enjoy most about Rad Flo (we’re pals, nbd) is their ability to drift just far enough away from what I've have come to expect as their classic sound, only to return, always at the perfect time, to their trademark vibes, leaving you unable to finish the thought as to whether or not their sound has changed a lot, or not at all.
With influential nods to Sweden’s Goat on the opening track, “Eyes Like Mine”, and the wash of an authentic “Live Through This” filter over “Another Light in a Dead World”, Rad Flo plant their feet more firmly into a genre class with so many other great bands before them.
With their song, “Sleep”, Rad Flo reminds us all to not forget they were once a band called Powder Blue, and this track is pleasant homage to their earlier days.
Stuck In A Maze is a more mature and professional sounding release than previous efforts, almost as if to intentionally avoid the inevitable hangover that comes with straying a bit too far into that psych abyss (we've all been there). With this, their 4th full-length, The Radiation Flowers have once again proved that they are still one of the most exciting and relevant bands on the Canadian prairies, making their most mature album to date and signalling that they have reached full maturity.
The final title track, “Stuck In A Maze”, is perhaps the gem of an already solid release. A classic, slow hazy build eventually brings the listener to an ethereal psychedelic dream world with the most anthemic and epic sounds they’ve ever created. I think it’s the most well-crafted and exciting song I’ve heard from them. As the last song finishes, I can’t help but feel like I’ve abruptly stepped off a cliff into never ending deafening silence. And it was all worth it.
- Lenore Maier
Psychic Void
Skeleton Paradise // Kaiser Sound Productions
Fuck Microdosing. Mesodosing is for the kale-eaters and the non-commital. If some is good, more is always better. Macro with Me?
Sometimes the robots get me. Sometimes I let them. If only the organics replicated quicker.
Get on this freak train, cuz it's chugging, and shit is getting weird. I listen to this FUCKING LOUDLY EVERYWHERE. It keeps stupid people away, and it dares me to action. Life is more fun doing highkicks and fake screaming into a megaphone all day.
Is Psych-Punk-Space-Blues-Garage even a thing?
Fucking love it.
You might too.
- Drew Cox
