STONES OF A FEATHER

This is the slightly modified 2016 3RD EAR EXPERIENCE, expectedly still deriving from Joshua Tree, situated somewhere deep in the Mojave Desert, California. The project is mainly driven by the couple Robbi Robb (guitar) and Amritakripa (synthesizer), as well as Jorge 'Bassman' Carrillo and Alan Swanson (keyboards). This in collaboration with a circle of like-minded fellas of course over the years, mostly living nearby. Experienced musicians they are, also deeply involved in the local cultural scene over there, in various ways. Always looking for new horizons, and this applies to their music in particular.

Wide open spaces, big skies and rugged landscapes - this marks an environment which will expand the musical possibilities quite naturally, especially unique to space rock. And now pay attention please, the opener Flight Of The Annunaki is accompanied at best by a video Casey Kiernan has produced, a professional photographer, who is running the Joshua Tree Photography Workshops. Really fantastic! It's a must! Some sort of dialectics - the album title, covering the music in its entirety on one side, but also self-contradictory somehow, manifests for the first time, as it all starts light as a feather with spheric synths, perfectly complementing the video sequences.

Kripa soon comes in with some other-worldly narration ... eh, is this played backwards probably? Or a new language similar to Kobaïan or Na'vi was born right here? No idea, sounds great and authentic anyway! But wait, this mysterious affair shortly evolves into a jazzy direction, due to the rhodes piano most likely, sort of losing orientation a bit though while having a breakdown hereafter ... and in the end leading into a furious heavy psych finale. Wow! Stones of a feather now! A tour de force. Hence you may have a little clue yet what will follow in addition ...

... anyway, even the old woman is dancing afterwards. Didgeridoo here and bass attacks there, fantastic organ work again, continual ebb and flow in behaviour ... until the Return Of The Peacock is occuring, who already stayed nearby since the year 2013 at least. Charming! Yes, this is very trippy and relaxed, decorated with flute, piano and sensitive guitar at best, quite similar to some songs produced by the band Quarkspace. And yep, it seems Darth Vader had a guest(?) appearance on Chungo, but a short one, as they are banishing him soon with some powerful dynamic. The dramaturgy stays 'til the end though, now it seems quite plausible why they have chosen just this song title.

Besides the opener Balladeer's Tale is another masterpiece ... and now I'm seemingly running out of attributes ... as Robbi and the other band mates are not running out of inspiration obviously. The song is wrapped up by some Black Sabbath feel, nevertheless drifting into a trippy hallucinogenic direction in between, this featuring some beautifully complementing guitar, synth and violin sequences. Showing some saxophone attendence Everlasting Sea only will appear on the double LP version, which is announced for the next year finally. And then - offered by a differing tour line up - Space Tripping has been recorded live in 2015 at Frankfurt, Germany, a high quality space rock jam for sure.

This time however I will prefer the studio excerpts. They are deriving from spontaneous ideas that came up during live improvisations on their 2015 tour and from free form jamming at the FurstWurld Gallery of Music and Performing Arts, where the band records. While guesting 18 local musicians in total 'Stones Of A Feather' is a product of a fruitful collaboration again. Needs time to explore. Richard Stuverud makes an excellent job on drums, not to forget. The proggy rhodes respectively organ appeals the more I'm listening ... well, that's enough methinks, now it's your turn.

US band 3RD EAR EXPERIENCE revolves around the talents of composers and musicians Robbi Robb and Amritakripa; and whoever wants to join in on their endeavors. At least that is the impression one gets when reading up on the band and the musicians credited on their different albums. "Stones of a Feather" is the fourth of the five albums the band have issued so far, and was self-released in 2016.

3rd Ear Experience comes across as an ensemble nearing their peak quality on their fourth album "Stones of a Feather". Space rock with an improvised charm and character is the name of the game here, with versatility and variations as central supplemental phrases to describe the contents. If you enjoy music of this kind, then this is a CD that seriously merits a consideration as a must buy, for everyone else I'd say this is a fine manner in which to get familiar with the improvised school of space rock bands.

As with any other album by the band, this work is clearly aimed at two distinct types of listeners. The first group consists of those who have already succumbed to the intoxicating charm of psychedelic space rock, characterized by bold improvisations, unpredictable rhythm changes, and dynamics that drift between introspective and explosive. The second group gathers the curious, willing to explore the nuances and richness of contemporary space and psychedelic music. On the other hand, for those who do not identify with either category, this album might sound like a sequence of disconnected tracks, emerging from nowhere and fading into an equally undefined place. In such cases, the listening experience might not be as captivating?and, indeed, it may not even be worth the attempt.

"Flight of the Annunaki" opens the album with musical textures that evoke dreams and ethereal delusions. This track is a true immersion into the universe of space rock. Its gradual development is almost hypnotic, guided by interwoven instrumental layers. The subtle introduction of vocals adds an almost spiritual touch to the composition. The experience is significantly enhanced by using quality headphones, allowing each sonic detail to be fully appreciated. At four and a half minutes, the track adopts a jazzy vibe, yet it never loses its spatial essence. This elegant contrast culminates in an intense sonic explosion near the seven-minute mark, injecting electrifying energy that lasts until the end, ensuring a memorable impact.

"Old Woman's Dance" begins with an ambiance reminiscent of Pink Floyd's early period and the mysterious atmosphere of Led Zeppelin's "No Quarter" intro. This track is a rich and layered sonic journey. As it progresses, the music's intensity increases without losing moments of serenity, creating a striking and engaging contrast. It's a well- articulated piece of psychedelic rock, grounded in a solid foundation of space and progressive music. The keyboard work stands out as a particular highlight, showcasing unquestionable mastery.

"Return of the Peacock" takes a softer and more contemplative approach compared to the previous tracks. The music transitions through calmer, more harmonious territories, unfolding into a constantly evolving jam. While serenity dominates, peaks of intensity emerge here and there, subtly and elegantly disrupting the calm. Performed with sensitivity, this track is ideal for introspective moments and even meditative practices, serving as the perfect soundtrack to disconnect from the outside world. The piece can be seen as a natural extension of "Peacock Black" from the group's debut album.

"Chungo" begins with peculiar, enigmatic vocalizations, quickly transforming into an energetic rock and roll beat. Once again, the keyboards shine brightly, while the psychedelic guitars maintain a high level of trippy ambiance. After roughly three minutes, the music shifts into a more atmospheric tone, diving into near-cinematic soundscapes. However, the intensity returns in grand style, with references evocative of King Crimson's modern era. The conclusion revisits the opening theme with renewed power, closing the track in a striking manner.

"The Balladeer's Tale" starts discreetly and introspectively, building an ethereal atmosphere that gradually gives way to an almost heavy-metal-like sonic explosion. The transition is unmistakably reminiscent of Black Sabbath's classic sound. The music then softens, introducing melodic vocals that echo the tone of a ballad, though without entirely abandoning its initial energy. After strategic moments of silence, the piece reemerges with increasingly acidic and visceral instrumentation. The guitar solo that appears after the 10-minute mark is a moment of pure catharsis?a climax encapsulating the band's creative force. The ending alternates between softness and strength, returning to the central theme with undeniable emotional impact.

Overall, 3rd Ear Experience doesn't aim to reinvent psychedelic space rock or explore entirely new territories. Instead, the band delivers an album that celebrates the genre's creative possibilities with spontaneity and irresistible charisma. While it may not break paradigms, this work reaffirms the relevance of its intoxicating improvisations and atmospheric allure.