Blue Cathederal (LP)

Blue Cathedral was recorded at Louder Studios by 'The Fucking Champs' Tim Green-- so there's really no explanation as to why these sounds are so stadium-sized and crystal clear. Whatever the case, the Bay Area group's purity of intention and sound is stronger here than on any previous offering.

Sub Pop debut from these chaotic Santa Cruz psych-feeders beefs up their production values to touch down as their hardest-hitting record to date.

Drawing influence from Zeppelin, Hendrix, and Hawkwind, Blue Cathedralscales back the wanton experimentation of their previous albums to fire off post-Vietnam rounds of knotted feedback, monolithic riffs and outer-space jams. And perhaps its most impressive feat?

At 53 minutes, it almost feels short.