It’s stunning to realize that Riding Easy Records has released ten Brown Acid compilations of long forgotten and buried stoner rock / acid rock / metal cuts in just five years. How do they find this stuff? The stories of how they tracked down these obscure bands, some of whom never released even a full LP, must be fascinating.
“The Tenth Trip” is one of the best compilations to date. It starts with the squelchy, groovy “Tensions” by Flint, Michigan’s Sounds Synonymous from 1969. The fuzz on it is cranked to the max and the organ stabs push the track into psychedelic territory. Yreka, California’s Ralph Williams and the Wright Brothers‘ 1972 track, “Never Again,” lays down a Black Sabbath-like groove mixed with swampy blues, and the backing vocals / grunts mixed with the wicked bass line alone should’ve made this a big radio hit.
“Relax your mind,” suggests Louisville, Kentucky’s Conception on their 1969 cut “Babylon.” The snotty vocals remind me a bit of MC5 and Thin Lizzy in their delivery, and man, that guitar breakdown is breath-taking. Atlanta, Georgia’s Bitter Creek proclaim, “I think I hear the sound of thunder.” on the 1970 heavy stoner metal cut “Plastic Thunder.” The drums certainly sound like a thunderstorm and it has enough guitar pedal effects for an entire record.
New Orleans’ Rubber Memory put down a serious psychedelic show with “All Together” from 1970. Dallas’ First State Bank might be the most cleverly named band on the whole compilation (as you would see their name in practically every town in the country), and their 1970 track “Mr. Sun” has a sweet groove that drifts along for a little over three minutes as the singer asks the sun (who appears to be the only thing around to give him the time of day) how to win back his girl.
The double entendre of Brothers and One‘s “Hard On Me” (New Waterford, Nova Scotia, 1974) is another criminally unheard rocker with a floor-stomping beat that should’ve made it a cult classic if nothing else. Naming your Tucson, Arizona band Frozen Band is a nice touch, and their 1969 track “Electric Soul” has serious Jimi Hendrix vibes in both the guitar chords (with a bit of Santana, too) and the vocal styling. Birmingham, Alabama’s Brood encourage you not to throw out your old weed on “The Roach” from 1969. I love how unapologetic they are about it. The anthology ends with Iowa City’s / West Minister, Colorado’s Tabernash and their 1969 track “Head Collect.” It’s a nice, trippy end cap to the record as they sing about death, the afterlife, and cosmic things seen while lounging under the stars.
This is definitely a trip worth taking and it makes you wonder how many more forgotten bands and singles are out there if Riding Easy Records has already found ten anthologies’ worth in just five years.
Keep your mind open.
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[Thanks to Dave from US / THEM Group.]