Very few bands have what it takes to leaven their stoner rock with equal parts melody and exploratory noise. Their exhilarating fourth album, Feathers, is the DC-based group's best album by far, thanks in no small part to ... more »the addition of second guitarist Cory Shane. Half the album is so good--and so eclectic--it brings to mind the bass-heavy assault of classic Blue Cheer and Sabbath, the sweet confectioner's space-pop of Jack Drag and Brian Jonestown Massacre, and the locked groove swagger of Comets on Fire and Black Mountain. Dead Meadow aren't afraid to melt genre conventions; "at Her Open Door," for instance, is very Zepp-y but trippy and sugar-y sweet?almost like Bumble Puppy, but way better. "Stacy's Song" is levitating and beautiful, a reverb-saturated tune that showcases singer-guitarist Jason Simon's distinctive vocals. --Mike McGonigal« less
Very few bands have what it takes to leaven their stoner rock with equal parts melody and exploratory noise. Their exhilarating fourth album, Feathers, is the DC-based group's best album by far, thanks in no small part to the addition of second guitarist Cory Shane. Half the album is so good--and so eclectic--it brings to mind the bass-heavy assault of classic Blue Cheer and Sabbath, the sweet confectioner's space-pop of Jack Drag and Brian Jonestown Massacre, and the locked groove swagger of Comets on Fire and Black Mountain. Dead Meadow aren't afraid to melt genre conventions; "at Her Open Door," for instance, is very Zepp-y but trippy and sugar-y sweet?almost like Bumble Puppy, but way better. "Stacy's Song" is levitating and beautiful, a reverb-saturated tune that showcases singer-guitarist Jason Simon's distinctive vocals. --Mike McGonigal
CD Reviews
The Forsaken Garden
R. Potter | Buffalo, NY USA | 05/05/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"SpacemenSabbathRideZeppelinVerveFloyd. There. Now that the mandatory nod to this album's stylistic forbears is out of the way, we can move on to just how phenomenally _good_ it is. While looking at various reviews of _Feathers_ recently, I was struck how no two reviewers seem to agree on which song is the "highlight" or "centerpiece." That's telling of the kind of depth and consistency that this disc possesses--any one of about five different songs on it could have been the keystone of a lesser release.
On _Feathers_, Dead Meadow accomplish the rare feat of taking readily-identifiable influences and crafting something satisfyingly new out of them. It's not really revivalism, nor is it tongue-in-cheek; it's deep, sincere, and massively heavy work in the grand (and surprisingly vital) tradition of dark psychedelia. Having never heard them before, I was expecting at best a worshipful cultist's recreation of Sonic Boom's guitar tone or Blue Cheer's production values, but instead I got..well, listen for yourself. The record needs little further cheerleading.
As an aside, I see little basis for some people's grousing about how DM have "sold out." It's just the kind of I-was-there-first sanctimoniousness that happens whenever a cult band threatens to break out with a broadly appealing album. I haven't heard a lot of earlier Dead Meadow, but what I have heard sounds rather brittle, aimlessly repetitive, and undisciplined compared to _Feathers_."
Music for druids
Julie Havlin | St. Louis, MO | 02/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Anton Newcombe introduced me to Dead Meadow 2 years ago, and they now fall within my top 5 bands of all time. With the addition of a 4th member, DM have re-done some old favourites, and expanded exponentially with surprisingly beautiful songs like "at her open door" and "don't tell the riverman". They have stepped back from the heavy fuzz guitars in favour of layering, an unexpected and welcome change.
I don't label my music, and I have little idea what "stoner-rock" means to the masses. This is music that makes you stare hypnotically at their psychedelic bass drum as it throbs your skull and you sway in time. If that's what you want, buy this. And if you ever get a chance, see them live to get the full effect."
It's Dead Meadow
G. Coffman | Around Dallas | 02/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"More of the same - hypnotic soundscapes swirling around in your head, nasaly vocals accompanying them. The line-up has changed a bit with the trio now becoming a quartet, as the band added a second guitar player. This only further texturizes the music and makes it all that much more of a great listen. If you like Dead Meadow, no doubt about it, you'll like this release. If you've never heard them before, what are you waiting for?
1 complaint: 2 of the 9 songs were previously heard on their other records. "Heaven" from their previous album, and "Sleepy Silver Door" from the self-titled release were redone."
Not More of The Same
Thommy | In Your Home | 06/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If I may ask this question: "What is wrong with a band who wants to refine/adjust their sound, especially when it becomes an extension to their already great music?" My answer is: "Nothing". This album is excellent, and I've been a long time DM fan. The band is tighter, and more melodic than ever before with this new release. And while I love Shivering King (check my review), I love Feathers equally as much. It's solid. It grooves, it rocks. What is wrong with that? So it sounds "softer" (which is not the case). This album proves just how great DM really is. I'm sorry folks, they've improved! Each and every DM album is great, and this one is no exception. Get over yourself about it not being DM, it is DM. Ya know, some people criticized The Beatles (and countless other bands) when they grew their hair out and dropped the bubblegum pop songs for something more? Put all the petty preconceptions aside and ask yourself if you really love music, and then get this album, and enjoy it."
Best thing I heard in 2005.
R. Sanford | Salt Lake City, Utah | 01/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In the year 2005, I listened to approximately 150 or so new albums. And this, without a doubt, held my attention for the longest time, and I found myself coming back again and again to it.
I won't make comparisons to other bands, because everyone else can do that. This album is very atmospheric, at times it holds doom over you. It's psychedelic, no doubt about that. Laden with slow riffs and heavy drumming, but it still has its buildups, one or two catches & hooks, and its feakouts. Not to mention the singer's mastery of the wah pedal. The musicianship of each member shines here, and they even dust off the acoustics on a few tracks and show off some lap steel on one of the tracks.
Highlights include, the very first song, Let's Jump In, which from the first 10 seconds you can tell is going to be a dark trip down the rabbit hole. The second song, Such Hawks Such Hounds, has some really good drumming on it (marching band perhaps?), and a chord progression and lyrics that will draw you into an Edgar Allen Poe scene. They redid the song Heaven for this album, and this version is much more listenable. The single off the album, At Her Open Door, probably stands out the most and is the easiest to swallow (check out the music video on their website, DeadMeadow.com, it's pretty good). Sleepy Silver Door also makes an appearance at the end of the album, after a few minutes of some odd jug-sounding tribal-esque drumming (60's anyone?), then it breaks into the old psychedelia again for the nearly 14 minute closer. Get out the rolling papers and get ready kids.
A new drummer joined the fold and they added a second guitarist. That being said, this album is different from their previous releases, but it still runs down the same vein and if you are a fan of their older stuff, you won't be disenfranchised by this.
It's good. I'd recommend you double your listening pleasure with marijuana, but it's already stoner enough that you won't have to if you don't swing that way (it's okay, you'll find out one day). I read somewhere that this was Matador's slowest selling album, and I can't believe that. Be one of the few elite and own this album, it really is timeless and will go great next to your favorite records from the 60's and 70's.
I said I wouldn't make comparisons, but I have one question for you... "Are You Experienced?""
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1