Lunar Dunes - From Above. 2007 England

There are scores of psychedelic space rock bands in existence these days, and that's a good thing, but there a few that clearly are rising to the top. And Lunar Dunes is in the top tier. Superior and inventive guitar work combined with a creative rhythm section define this amazing debut. The songs are well written with actual melodies, and aren't just skeletons to launch the next jam. There's a distinct Middle Eastern exotic flair, as evidenced by the hand percussion and soaring wordless female voice on 'Herzegovina (interpolating Le Petit Chevalier)'. This track is even more remarkable in that it sounds like Tony Hill from High Tide jamming with the rhythm section of Can. 'Loophole' reminds me of Ashra from their Correlations improv sessions set. The aggressive psychedelic space rock of 'The Todal Gleeps' recalls the great Omnia Opera. Lunar Dunes go into psychedelic chill-out form from 'Seaspray' through 'When I Was on Horseback'. The final three tracks feature both styles of aggression and serenity successfully.

Ownership: CD: 2007 private. Digifile

5/12/11 (new entry); 4/16/18

Last listen: April 16, 2018
Originally reviewed: May 12, 2011