Psychedoozies Edition: Prana Crafter, Sunwatchers & Lake Ruth

Prana Crafter: Bodhi Cheetah’s Choice

Feels like a good time to let the mind roam a bit and so I have a nice set of serious psychedelic rock to help expand your horizons. I’ll start with the excellent new album from Prana Crafter. Out on the RecommNeds-regular Beyond Beyond Is Beyond label, Bodhi Cheetah’s Choice feels as much ancient religious ritual as it does psych-rock masterpiece. The Washington-based band starts in one place and just … voyages across musical landscapes of all sorts. At times you’re looking at a far-off horizon of shimmery guitar and at others, you’re thick in the midst of a dark and shadowy forest of mind-expand jams. This is a good one, folks, trust me.

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Sunwatchers: II

Keeping with the theme of getting the mind outside, next up I have Sunwatchers for you. Combining a free-form-freak-out saxophone with guitar/bass/drums to create an utterly transfixing and hypnotic sound, their sophomore album, II is a serious brain bubbler. This stuff gets out there, no doubt, but even so, it’s got an undeniable groove to it. There’s a lot going on here, strata of melody and rhythm, but it’s all pretty damn good and hits you in some surprising spots. For something that is so rooted in jazz, funk and psych-rock, it’s an utterly unique sound … I’ve never heard anything like this. Check it out, I think you’ll dig it.

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Lake Ruth: Birds Of America

After that fevered starting at the sun, probably a good idea to sit down and relax by the lake. So to close things out, let me see if Lake Ruth is more your speed. Punctuated by the dreamlike voice of vocalist Allison Brice, this trio is sure to take your mind on a journey on their newest record Birds Of America. Combining a mix of sounds from a wide range of influences, Lake Ruth creates their own thing: a shimmering, groovy brain candy that takes some cerebral twists and turns while remaining incredibly easy to digest. Give it a taste and let the mind wander. Enjoy!

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