Moon Duo – “Mazes” – [Sacred Bones Records]

Recorded in their homebase San Francisco and moody krautrock-land Berlin, Moon Duo says Mazes [Sacred Bones Records, 2011] (tentatively titled “Die Blumen”) was going to be their “Berlin record”. Ultimately, however, Mazes retains Moon Duo’s signature psych-rock soundscape, with some nice strumbly pop stirred into the familiar mix of keyboards, electronic distortions, and everlasting two-chord guitar eruptions. No sad emotions here. Just rockin transcendent instrumentation and incantatory vocals. Moon Duo is Erik “Ripley” Johnson (of Wooden Shjips) and Sanae Yamada (his lady).
Highly recommended.

1. Seer: Upbeat psych-rock.
2. Mazes: Simple pop with a guitar solo tacked on.
3. Scars: German Dub in der haus. Ach ja.
4. Fallout: Radioactive guitar, tambourine, and indistinct vocals. Pop from the nuclear apocalpse.

5. When You Cut: Guitar, drums, clapping, vocals, and a dangerously addictive keyboard line.
6. Run Around: Maracas, guitar, and muttered vocals. Hippie psych! Real cool!
7. In The Sun: Simple psych-pop. Muddy vocals and decent guitar solos.
8. Goners: Longest track. Keeps it simple and delivers some kick ass guitar.

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