58. Innerspeaker

Innerspeaker by Tame Impala
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a really cool discovery. I listen to the local indie station around here and that's how I found out about this awesome Aussie band.

"It Is Not Meant to Be" starts with a Doors retro feel and undulating waves of sound. The vocals rise and fall with a quality that is reminiscent of The Beatles. While it's psychedelic, it's also really laid back. No bad trips on this one. Love the bass and the rhythmic theme that the song is framed by from start to finish.

"Desire Be Desire Go" has a great classic rock vibe that has just enough speed and tension to rock it out in a really great way. "Alter Ego," also has awesome rhythm and percussion elements that carry you forward in flight. The echoing vocals and psychedelic effects create a dreamy feel. The lyrics are reflective and emotional, which is different from some of the psychedelic tunes I've heard previously, which talk nonsense or talk cryptic.

"Lucidity" is probably one of the more catchy songs on the album. The steady, "clap your hands" beat makes it memorable and a lot of fun. They really do have an excellent drummer.

Each song is different and seems to have an equally appealing melody or beat one way or another as "Why Won't You Make Up Your Mind?" demonstrates. These are the kind of songs you can easily sing to. The distortion in the guitars and the carefree sound lifts you up and carries you away.

"Solitude Is Bliss" marches in a familiarly retro fashion. This song undoubtedly is a throwback to the mid to late 60s. Stylistically, you can't help but feel like you've just made a leap back into time when you listen to this band.

"Jeremy's Storm" is really very pretty. The guitars sing with a simplistic melody and the rhythm is really good. Great instrumental piece. "Expectation" is a cheerful and quite playful song. It reverberates and has a back and forth consistency in the melodic theme that feels like a dance of sorts. It ends with an interesting little interlude.

"The Bold Arrow of Time" sounds a lot like The Black Keys. It's a tune that jumps back and forth between blues rock and light and airy psychedelia.

"Runway, Houses, City, Clouds" is big like a sunrise with a funkiness that is positively groovy. Just listening to this track, I can see the flower children dancing and swaying already.

"I Don't Really Mind" is pretty awesome. It's a feel good track. Get your juicy fruit out and your dirt bikes kids. This one is fun in the sun.

The album ties off with "Island Walking." All I can say is smart band.



Track listing:

1. It Is Not Meant to Be
2. Desire Be Desire Go
3. Alter Ego
4. Lucidity
5. Why Won't You Make Up Your Mind?
6. Solitude Is Bliss
7. Jeremy's Storm
8. Expectation
9. The Bold Arrow of Time
10. Runway, Houses, City, Clouds
11. I Don't Really Mind
12. Island Walking (iTunes bonus track)

*******************************

Who are Tame Impala?