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King Black Acid: Loves A Love Song

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In 1997, King Black Acid parted ways with the Wombstar Orchestra. In their short co-existence, the pairing had released a trio of inspired albums—Royal Subjects, Wombstar Sessions, and the brilliant Sunlit. Flirting with—and sometimes surpassing—the 20-minute mark, these songs were adventures in spontaneity; swirling, spaced-out epics that hatched in the studio and, as such, floated with an uncommon purity. These were not radio hits in easy-to-digest tablets.

Flash to 2001, and King Black Acid has, as is their wont, changed gears considerably. Gone is the Wombstar Orchestra. Enter the Starseed Transmission and the latest album, Loves A Love Song. Gone is the sprawl. Gone are the three-song or four-song full-length albums. Instead of reaping songs from an inspired jam session, these songs were written prior to coming into the studio. The result is an inevitable sacrifice in spontaneity, but also a tighter, more accessible album in which the songs intertwine but are also allowed to function independently of one another.

There are even hints of pop on the album, although no song even comes close to being predictably “poppy.” The occasional pop chorus or infectious pop melody is quickly blurred and obscured by pillars of sonic distraction. “Butterfly Bomber” features addictive melodies and an unabashedly poppy chorus, but also stretches its wings out to nearly 11 minutes. “I’ve Heard You’re Still Alive” begins as a solid, traditional track that sounds like it could be pulled off the playlist of most any alternative radio station. Five minutes later, you’re faintly aware that you’re listening to the same track.

“Born To Sleep” is a lovely instrumental lullaby; an American and perhaps more drugged-out version of Sigur Ros. The song sounds much as its title suggests, rolling with a sensitive guitar melody layered with transcendent keyboard/string combinations, and the requisite peculiar blips and bleeps finding their home in the background.

“Gentle Collapse (Feels Good)” keeps the meditative mood intact and ends the album on a soothing note. And, at 12 minutes, it returns to the glory of Sunlit in more ways than one. King Black Acid continues to evolve, but also doesn’t abandon their trademark sound. The 20 minute songs may be gone, but have no fear: Loves A Love Song will still take you by the hand and lead you down the black-lit paths of your hallucinations.

Check out the official band site at http://www.kingblackacid.com or head over to the label site at http://www.cavitysearchrecords.com

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