[Review] Yawning Balch – Volume Two

Bob Balch and his Yawning Balch project, which involves other top artists from the modern heavy and psychedelic scene, is back with a new album shortly after their first record. Titled “Volume Two,” it was released on November 03, 2024 via Heavy Psych Sounds. The disc spans three long tracks, including two epic ones, between 10 and over 18 minutes, exploring a wide range of sounds. The opener “A Moment Expanded (A Form Constant)” is the longest track and immediately immerses us in the band’s dilated, psychedelic sounds. A mixture of ethereal and dilated sounds steeped in lysergic and enveloping Psychedelia slowly leads the listener to very pleasant and distant sound horizons. The bass lines are deep and load-bearing and together with solid drumming create the perfect rhythm section on which the guitar layers and develops the melodies. The journey into the band’s sounds continues with “Flesh Of The Gods,” ten minutes that continue the musical discourse undertaken in the previous one. A mixture of modern psychedelia, extensive use of layering and effects over a strong, driving rhythm section. The guitar offers interesting cues throughout the song and solo inserts of fine workmanship. “Psychic Aloha” concludes the album, the only track where synth is added to the other instruments. The bass lines are hypnotic and penetrating, the guitar layering takes us through this desert-like sound stream. The drumming is elaborate and solid, allowing the central theme to develop with refined duets between guitar and synth. An album that incorporates the different facets that make up the band’s style, between classic psychedelia, desert rock and a fresh, modern touch. The long instrumental textures enhance the performing technique of the artists involved, who are also skilled in the use of affects and modulation of sounds. Definitely recommended listening for all lovers of new shades of Psychedelia with a distinctly Desert Rock imprinting.

Tracklist

01. A Moment Expanded (A Form Constant) (18:36)
02. Flesh Of The Gods (09:59)
03. Psychic Aloha (13:35)

Lineup

Gary Arce / Guitar
Bob Balch / Guitar, Synth
Billy Cordell / Bass
Bill Stinson / Drums

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