I’m not supposed to like this. Over the past … I don’t know how long,
I’ve really become a guitar music curmudgeon, and paisley psychedelic faire
isn’t often welcome on the menu. It’s not really anything against an entire
genre – I’m known to care about Pink Floyd periodically, even if my arguments
tend to be halfhearted because I don’t want to get anyone in trouble. Either
that or I just want to talk about something else, because what’s the point of
talking about Pink Floyd in this modern era? Still, if you tell me you’re a
Pink Floyd fan, that’s cool, we can hang. I’ve seen Wizard of Oz soundtracked by Dark
Side. Whatever. It’s fine.
Alosi Den does a really good Pink Floyd impression. It’s also a good
impersonation of The Flaming Lips during those moments where the Lips let the
thread slip and just allow their psychedelics to hang in the air for a bit. The
Bostonians are pretty subdued in their approach, each player getting in the
others’ headspace before the results bloom in jammy ecstasy, like they do on
the later moments of the tape, “For the Hunted” and “Memorize the Sun.” I can’t
say this enough – I’m typing these words, looking at them, and listening to the
music again as I do it, and not believing how much I’m digging this. I don’t
even know who I am anymore.
Forget it – I’m giving in and not caring. Alosi Den has channeled the
spirit of the Lips, and the Floyd, and even indie psych wannabes like early
Built to Spill in places. It’s a fun exercise, and one that makes me realize
that while I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting music to be
pleasantly surprised by, I can also be pleasantly surprised by music I’d
originally thought was past its sell-by date. Alosi Den, you have restored my
faith in my own past! Thank you. Plus, I
found this article while I was listening to the album – maybe we CAN live
forever, like, for real, you guys!
--Ryan Masteller