The Loons – ‘Memories Have Faces’ (2024)
Fifth album by San Diego-based garage / psychedelic practitioners the Loons and, in terms of the songwriting / performance as well as the overall sonic balance and production, I believe this latest long-player is the group’s strongest, most thrillingly cohesive collection to date; at least in the humble opinion of this writer and major fan.
It begins with the strident tones of ‘Second Hand Dream,’ a number brimming with all kinds of lyrical imagery fitting of a wigged-out, happening psychedelic rock’n’roll scene! The two tracks that follow, and which made it out ahead of the LP as a stand alone single on the fast-rising French Disques Rogue label are ‘High And Lonesome (Like Jimmy Reed Said)’ and ‘Daffodils Or Despair.’ Man, if these two titles don’t count as high watermark examples (in the estimation of any worthy music combo) then I don’t truly know what would? Each is a fully energised, provocative little work of art in itself; both have a kind of magical, mystical air about them, each driven along by the light, yet expertly locomotive drumming of Chris Cancilliere. Marc Schroeder and Christopher Marsteller’s supply the razor wire guitar attack, and Anja Stax the group’s booming bass anchor as well as providing the gorgeously keening backing vocals. Mike Stax, meanwhile, is out front, pouring out some of the most powerful vocal and harmonica wailing performances we’ve heard from him, maybe ever.
The pace and creativity here, and throughout the majority of the album, are key to the excitement levels as well as the album’s thrill retention ratio. It’s vibrant and full of verve and vitality, and is also a thoroughly good, sing along with the band kind of set too. The rhythmic propulsion and reverberating pulsations further assisting in the provision of their fantastic wall of shaking sound. Many of the album’s eleven selections come embroidered with coatings of juddering tremolo and stinging fuzztone. This combination of elements, alongside lyrics which speak as much about love, loss and beauty as they do about freedom, feelings of alienation; of motivational dream states and many other strange and not so goings on.
On a good few of the numbers, among them the fuzz-riffing, Beefheart-referencing ‘High Desert Sky,’ (“as the day subsides into night / and the stars explode in the sky”), the topical sounding ‘Mixed Up, Broken Down Time’ and ‘Ocean’ (another top drawer missive with some spectacular jazz-style drumming throughout) the Loons invite you into similar realms as were previously invoked by certain of their forebears. We’re talking some Elektra label greats here — Love, Clear Light and the Doors — but also the prevailing inspiration gleaned from the Yardbirds, the Misunderstood, and, of course, the Pretty Things. All such things loom large throughout, yet still our San Diego heroes stamp their own authority across every beat!
One of the most surprising elements of ‘Memories Have Faces’ is the strength it wields — and the accuracy of spirit the group has managed to retain across the grooves — especially so on the title track with its wild garage punk snarl — as well as their unforgettable, incisive reading of the Pretties’ ‘Parachute’ album powerhouse ‘Cries From The Midnight Circus.’ I have no doubts whatsoever that a better tribute to Phil May and Wally Waller’s genius song that depicts the plight of those who ply their trade in the red light districts of a metropolis would be nigh on impossible to find.
And what of ‘When She Sleeps,’ this a somewhat atypical, semi-orchestrated psychedelic pop delicacy which will surely take your breath away; beautifully reflective, and redolent of those yearning moves which groups like the Left Banke and, again, Love were wont to make at the height of their powers; yet wonderfully, hauntingly original too at the same time.
In conclusion, it should be said that, aside from being blown away by spinning this mighty platter in the comfort of our homes, audiences also will undoubtedly be left spellbound if they are fortunate enough to attend the live shows the Loons are undertaking presently over the next two or three weeks — late June into mid July 2024 — wild scenes which are happening at select venues across Spain, France and Germany! And the Loons’ ‘Memories Have Faces’ LP is a contender for best album of the year so far!
Lenny Helsing
The Loons – ‘Memories Have Faces’ (Munster Records, 2024)
