The Brian Jonestown Massacre: Strung Out in Heaven

TVT Records

It was ironic then: The British Invasion of the 1960s resold American culture—as interpreted by North Atlantic–dwelling Anglos—to American youth. It's even more ironic now: Bands from the States are imitating that same early English interpretation of American music. But irony doesn't necessarily preclude quality, and there can be valuable lessons within cultural cross-pollination: Hey Verve, Brian Jonestown Massacre know how to rip off the Stones and keep their own publishing rights.

Brit inflection, tone, and even accents run thick throughout Strung Out In Heaven. Check the jangly, puppy-tender “Jennifer,” the mod lament “Let's Pretend That It's Summer,” and the gorgeous ballad “I've Been Waiting.” But don't write these San Francisco lads off entirely as simple Brit-pop wannabes. The soul of this band resides in ‘60s psychedelia and protest jangle of all manner, with the righteous, streetwise shadow of fellow Colony-dweller Bob Dylan haunting some of the proceedings. And there's some lazy, hazy Northern California folk rock winding around in the sound—but not to worry, there's nothing half as ghastly as “Truckin'” here.

It may be as derivative as the Stones themselves, but Strung Out In Heaven strangely rises above the sum of its influences. The textured paisley drone “Love,” the dark, druggy pop of “Spun,” and the eerie opening number “Going to Hell” exemplify the BJM duality best: pleasant, endearing psych-pop undercut with troubled visions and unsatisfied desires. Given the prolific nature of Jonestown frontman/acid casualty Anton Newcombe, this is a surprisingly strong batch of tunes. And how can you fault any band that picks on the Dandy Warhols?

—John Pecorelli

Alternative Press magazine