If you need proof of the benefits of a solid work ethic, look no further than California-based garage rockers Thee Oh Sees. The group consistently deliver – generally releasing at least one slab of fuzzy psychedelic goodness each year. Their latest offering, A Weird Exits, is the group's 17th studio album and they still manage to serve up a dose of thrilling, creative and dynamic rock 'n’ roll.
The trademarks of Thee Oh Sees sound are all here: 60s fuzz guitars turned up to eleven, woozy psychedelic grooves, plus ten times more energy than your average modern rock band could conjure up in a lifetime. But there are some new elements thrown in for good measure too, the group’s first use of double drummers adds crushing weight and heaviness to the record. The rest of the band aren’t slouching either, with vocalist/guitarist and helmsman John Dwyer trading between heavy surf-rock riffs and tasteful melodic licks.
Opener ‘Dead Man’s Gun’ captures the band at their most intense with warped psychedelia giving away to searing dirty fuzz. Likewise the curiously titled ‘Ticklish Warrior’ shows off how hard these guys can rock with walls of heavy electric sludge. Lighter moments shine through too, ‘Unwrap the Fiend Pt.2’ breezes by on an airy psychedelic groove with some light shredding. Gorgeous closer ‘The Axis’ rides some tasteful 70s prog rock organ until an intense overdriven solo brings things to a close.
Put simply A Weird Exits is another stunning record from a band that can’t seem to put a foot wrong.
