Psych Rock

Fern Knight – Castings

Style: Acid Folk, Progressive Folk-Rock

Vibes: Occult, Forest, Medieval, Epic, Nocturnal, Mystical, Brooding, Witchy

Musical Qualities: Riffs, Progressive, Fuzzy, Lyrical

Instrumentation: Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Cello, Harp, Violin, Drums, Electric Bass

Träden

Style: Trance-Rock, Psych, Jam Band

Vibes: Pastoral, Cinematic, Communal, Rural, Driving, Earthy, Hypnotic, Open, Peaceful, Psychedelic, Contemplative

Musical Qualities: Slow, Dynamic, Instrumental, Repetitive, Jams, Riffs, Fuzzy, Atmospheric

Gilli Smyth – Mother

Style: Cosmic Folk, Psychedelic Rock, Jazz Poetry

Moods: Cosmic, Feminist, Conscious, Poetic, Eccentric, Witchy, Flowing, Eclectic, Mystical, Psychedelic, Storytelling, Messy

Musical Qualities: Spoken Word, Collage, Improvisation

Tera Melos – Patagonian Rats

Styles: Math Rock, Surf Punk, Psych, Prog, Noise Pop

Moods: Sunny, Playful, Energetic, Surreal, Intricate, Bombastic, Eclectic, Spontaneous, Chaotic, Joyful

Musical Qualities: Catchy, Uncommon Time Signatures, Progressive, Riffs, Noisy, Dynamic, Complex

Naujawanan Baidar – Volume 1 & 2

Styles: Psychedelic Tape Music, Pashto Folk, Arabic Psych, Organic Beat Music

Moods: Desert, Mysterious, Ritualistic, Epic, Hypnotic, Rebellious, Political, Triumphant

Musical Qualities: Percussive, Fuzzy, Loops, Modal, Field Recordings, Group Vocals, Sampling, Lo-Fi, Repetitive

Cream – Disraeli Gears

Style: Acid Rock, Blues Rock

Moods: Psychedelic, Warm, Surreal, Confident, Playful, Sunny, Colorful

Musical Qualities: Riffs, Bluesy, Melodic, Technical

The Soft Machine

Style: Canterbury Scene, Psych Pop, Progressive Pop, Jazz-Influenced

Moods: Surreal, Whimsical, Dadaist, Playful, Joyful, Uplifting

Musical Qualities: Suite, Catchy, Complex, Uncommon Time Signatures, Loose

Sunburned Hand of the Man – Weekend at Burnie’s 2

Style: Experimental, Psychedelic Hardcore, Comedy, Death Metal

Vibe: Primal, Vulgar, Eccentric, Raw, Messy, Disturbing, Cathartic, Creepy, Surreal

Musical Qualities: Lo-fi, Eclectic, Spoken Word, Noisy, Improvisation, Yelling

Bardo Pond – On the Ellipse

Style: Free Psych, Space Rock Revival, Acid Folk, Shoegaze

Moods: Melancholy Nocturnal,, Searching, Lethargic, Stoned, Sombre, Lonely, Cathartic, Suspenseful

Musical Qualities: Repetitive, Riffs, Fuzzy, Climactic, Washy, Improvisation, Loose, Noisy

Sunburned Hand of the Man – Wedlock

Style: Free Psych, Free Folk, Sound Collage, Experimental, Jam Band

Moods: Celebratory, Communal, Joyful, Earthy, Exploratory, Ritualistic, Playful, Meandering, Uplifting, Sunny, Whimsical, Psychedelic, Spontaneous, Tribal

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Lo-Fi, Collage, Field Recordings, Spoken Word, Jams, Acoustic, Raw

Medicine Singers

Featured Musicians: Joe Rainey, jaimie branch, Laraaji, Thor Harris, Ryan Olsen, Ikue Mori

Style: Algonquian & Pocasset Powwow Music, Neo-Psychedelia

Moods: Ceremonial, Communal, Cathartic, Colorful, Spiritual, Intense, Tribal, Ritualistic

Musical Qualities: Percussive, Chants, Collage, Electro-Acoustic, Rhythmic

Kairon; IRSE! – Polysomn

Style: Space Rock, Prog, Shoegaze

Vibe: Epic, Washy, Ethereal, Adventure, Driving, Energetic, Warm, Spacey, Blissful, Psychedelic

Musical Qualities: Fuzzy, Dense, Progressive, Riffs, Noisy, Uncommon Time Signatures

Wet Tuna – Water Weird

Style: Country-Psych, Folk-Funk, Jam Band

Vibe: Aquatic, Summer, Warm, Groovy, Spacey, Laid Back, Playful, Stoned

Musical Qualities: Rhythmic, Atmospheric, Improvisation, Loose, Lo-Fi

Wet Tuna – Warping All By Yourself

Style: Aquatic Psych, Folk-Funk

Vibes: Swampy, Ethereal, Mystical, Utopian, Relaxed, Dreamy, Swagger, Contemplative, Warm, Playful, Whispery, Soothing

Qualities: Groovy, Atmospheric, Percussive, Dub Fx, Vocal Delays, Headphone Album

Abronia – Obsidian Visions / Shadowed Lands

Style: Desert Rock, Spaghetti Western, Heavy Psych

Vibe: Adventure, Epic, Desert, Triumphant, Western, Cinematic, Focused

Musical Qualities: Fuzzy, Riffs, Atmospheric, Dynamic

Instrumentation: Saxophone, Electric Guitars, Slide Guitar, Bass, Drums, Melodica

Ghost – Hypnotic Underworld

Style: Prog, Psych Rock, Acid Folk

Vibe: Epic, Mysterious, Ancient, Eclectic, Suspenseful, Spiritual, Retro

Musical Qualities: Progressive, Odd Time Signatures, Riffs, Atmospheric, Complex

Rangda – Formerly Extinct

Style: Psychedelic Math Rock, Free Rock

Vibe: Desert, Serpentine, Epic, Adventure, Intertwined, Energetic, Bombastic, Mystical

Musical Qualities: Shredding, Riffs, Improvisation, Dynamic, Instrumental, Uncommon Time Signatures, Noisy

Sunburned Circle – The Blaze Game

Style: Ritual-Psych, Free Rock, Krautrock

Vibe: Witchy, Ritualistic, Fiery, Tribal, Cathartic, Free, Hypnotic, Mysterious, Mystical, Primal, Psychedelic

Musical Qualities: Suite, Repetitive, Live, Collective Improvisation, Lo-fi, Percussive, Growling Vocals

Daevid Allen – Now is the Happiest Time of Your Life

Style: Cosmic Folk, Psych Rock, Space Ambient

Vibe: Cosmic, Whimsical, Surreal, Bright, Sunny, Mystical, Mythic, Poetic, Uplifting

Qualities: Atmospheric, Conceptual, Eclectic

Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizers, Spoken Word, Tabla, Flute, Violin, Harp, Drums, Slide Guitar

Sunburned Hand of the Man – Complexion

Style: Free Psych

Vibe: Exploratory, Ritualistic, Primal, Hallucinogenic, Amorphous, Murky, Tribal, Meandering, Communal, Chaotic

Musical Qualities: Live, Collective Improvisation, Lo-Fi, Dub Fx, Tape Collage, Noisy, Dissonant

Sunburned Hand of the Man – A Grand Tour of Tunisia

Style: Free-Rock, Ritual-Psych, Group Therapy

Vibe: Meandering, Hallucinogenic, Communal, Ritualistic, Surreal, Messy, Amorphous, Mysterious, Playful, Eccentric, Tribal, Warm

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Lo-fi, Loose, Percussive, Jams, Suite

The Silence – Hark the Silence

Style: Psych Rock, Prog

Vibe: Adventure, Epic, Mysterious, Fuzzy, Psychedelic, Retro, Energetic, Propulsive

Musical Qualities: Riffs, Dense, Jams, Progressive

Instrumentation: Electric Guitar, Organ, Saxophone, Electric Bass, Drums, Synthesizers, Flute, Tanpura

Bardo Pond – Adrop / Circuit VIII

Style: Free Psych, Space Rock, Shoegaze, Jam Band

Vibe: Primordial, Murky, Transcendent, Epic, Exploratory, Mysterious, Nocturnal, Hypnotic, Meandering, Cathartic, Spiritual, Psychedelic, Washy, Nocturnal, Stoned

Musical Qualities: Droney, Noisy, Suite, Dynamic, Climactic, Collective Improvisation, Riffs, Atmospheric, Repetitive

Guru Guru – This is Guru Guru

Style: Heavy Psych, Prog, Krautrock, Free Rock

Vibe: Adventurous, Hallucinogenic, Spacey, Exploratory, Playful, Messy, Primal

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Fuzz, Riffs, Bluesy, Progressive, Studio-as-an-Instrument

Deerhunter – Cryptograms/Fluorescent Grey EP

Style: Noise Pop, Neo-Psychedelia, Shoegaze

Vibe: Cryptic, Surreal, Hypnotic, Ethereal, Nocturnal, Anxious, Washy

Musical Qualities: Noisy, Fuzzy, Catchy, Atmospheric, Lo-fi, Reverbed Production, Repetitive

Grails – Burning Off Impurities

Style: Psychedelic Rock, Post-Rock

Influences: Arabic Folk, Horror Soundtracks, Kosmisch, Library Music, Spaghetti Westerns, Prog, Stoner Rock, American Primitive Guitar, Raga

Vibe: Adventure, Driving, Cinematic, Exploratory, Epic, Ominous, Nocturnal

Musical Qualities: Instrumental, Dynamic, Fuzzy, Riffs, Progressive, Atmospheric

Elkhorn – Elk Jam

Style: Folk Rock, Psych, Jam Band

Vibe: Scorched, Summer, Desert, Stoned, Pastoral Peaceful, Sunny, Traveling, Psychedelic

Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Instrumental, Improvisation, Fuzzy, Mellow, Riffs, Loose

Sunburned Hand of the Man — The Trickle-Down Theory of Lord Knows What

Style: Free-Psych, Ritual Folk, New Weird Americana

Vibe: Ceremonial, Communal, Hallucinogenic, Mysterious, Amorphous, Earthy, Cathartic, Primal, Murky, Ritualistic, Surreal

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Lo-fi, Free-Form, Atmospheric, Dissonant, Group Vocals, Repetitive, Chants, Percussive

Curanderos – Curanderos

Style: Free-Psych, Spiritual Stoner Rock, Drone-Rock

Influences: Shoegaze, Spiritual Jazz, Kosmische, Prog, Drone

Vibe: Mysterious, Nocturnal, Spiritual, Exploratory, Brooding, Amorphous, Witchy, Murky, Psychedelic, Ritualistic, Washy, Hypnotic, Stoned

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Repetitive, Atmospheric, Loose, Noisy, Instrumental

Sunburned Hand of the Man – Headdress

Style: Free Rock, Ritual Psych

Vibe: Communal, Mystical, Ritualistic, Meandering, Warm, Cathartic, Psychedelic, Primal, Fuzzy

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Percussive, Suite, Chants, Lo-fi, Loose, Repetitive

Hendrix – Band of Gypsys

Style: Acid Rock, Electric Blues, Psychedelic Funk, Fuzz-Soul

Vibe: Bluesy, Passionate, Confident, Fuzzy, Nocturnal, Sensual, Stoned, Powerful, Groovy

Musical Qualities: Live Performance, Jams, Raw, Feedback, Technical, Improvisation, Rhythmic

Ash Ra Tempel – Schwingungen

Style: Freeform Psych, Krautrock, Space Ambient

Vibe: Ancient, Mysterious, Surreal, Exploratory, Cosmic, Spiritual, Warm, Psychedelic, Cathartic, Hypnotic, Amorphous

Musical Qualities: Repetitive, Atmospheric, Loose, Improvisation, Dynamic, Crescendo, Percussive

Akron/Family – Set Em Wild, Set Em Free

These guys are my favorite American Rock band. Every album they’ve released explores different sides of rock, folk, experimental and psychedelic music in such a natural, unforced way that my mind usually envisions them jamming by a campfire in the woods. What’s even better is I imagine I’m there with them singing along and worshipping the great creative spirit that inspires their music. There’s such an unpretentious, inclusive sense of community and spirituality in their music that I can’t help but feel welcomed and embraced into the family.

Earth – Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I

Style: Drone Rock, Post-Rock

Vibe: Meditative, Desert, Hypnotic, Soothing, Spiritual, Western, Lethargic, Determined, Psychedelic

Musical Qualities: Slow, Riffs, Repetition, Improvisation, Minimalistic, Instrumental

Bardo Pond – Vol. II

Style: Drone Rock, Free-Psych, Space Rock

Vibe: Hazy, Exploratory, Lethargic, Meandering, Cathartic, Dreamy, Loose, Hypnotic, Murky, Communal

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Noisy, Dynamic, Lo-fi, Climactic, Riffs, Jams

Embryo – We Keep On

Style: Jazz-Rock, Prog, Kosmische, Psychedelic Jazz, Space Rock

Vibe: Exploratory, Triumphant, Adventurous, Cosmic, Epic, Groovy, Spacey, Playful, Psychedelic

Musical Qualities: Polyphonic, Complex, Improvisation, Percussive, Polyrhythmic, Progressive, Raga, Technical

Instrumentation: Saxophones (Soprano & Alto), Flutes, Nadaswaram, Mallet Percussion (Vibraphone, Marimba, Hammered Dulcimer), Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Drums, Percussion, Saz, Keyboards (Piano, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet)

Bardo Pond – Vol. 1

Style: Free-Rock, Psychedelic Drone Rock, Space Rock, Noise Rock

Vibe: Exploratory, Fuzzy, Meandering, Psychedelic, Epic, Hypnotic, Noisy

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Droney, Dense, Loose, Lo-fi

Sunburned Hand of the Man – Pick a Day to Die

Style: Psych Rock, Free Rock

Vibe: Psychedelic, Surreal, Ritualistic, Murky, Motorik, Mysterious, Cryptic, Menacing, Suspenseful, Primal

Musical Qualities: Repetitive, Atmospheric, Dynamic, Driving

Bardo Pond – Volume 8

Style: Free Psych, Space Rock, Jam Band, Shoegaze

Vibe: Adventurous, Communal, Cathartic, Murky, Epic, Psychedelic, Exploratory, Monolithic, Stoned

Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Dynamic, Droney, Atmospheric, Fuzzy, Loose, Riffs

Hawkwind – Hall of the Mountain Grill

Style: Space Rock, Stoner-Prog, Heavy Psych

Vibe: Rebellious, Heavy, Driving, Spacey, Sci-Fi, Triumphant, Confident, Psychedelic

Musical Qualities: Fuzzy, Riffs, Progressive

75 Dollar Bill – Live at Tubby’s

Style: Psychedelic Jazz, Jam Band, Post-Minimalism, Free Rock

Influences: Tishoumaren, Free Jazz, Kosmische Musik, Minimalism

Vibe: Hypnotic, Communal, Psychedelic, Earthy

Musical Attributes: Collective Thematic Improvisation, Live, Loose, Microtonal, Odd Time Signatures, Repetitive, Percussive

Earth – Primitive and Deadly

Style: Drone Rock, Stoner Rock, Heavy Psych

Vibe: Triumphant, Deliberate, Focused, Fuzzy, Heavy, Powerful, Hypnotic, Western

Musical Attributes: Repetitive, Riffs, Slow, Droney, Feedback

The Third Mind

Style: Psychedelic Jam Band

Vibe: Bluesy, Cosmic, Meandering, Pastoral, Rustic

Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Riffs

Akron/Family – Sub Verses

Style: Neo-Psychedelia, Art Rock??Vibe: Restless, Eclectic, Energetic, Anthemic, Introspective, Spiritual??Musical Attributes: Riffs, Melodic, Dense, Percussive

Mdou Moctar – Afrique Victime

Style: Tishoumaren, Desert Blues, Psych

Vibe: Hypnotic, Desert, Groovy, Energetic, Warm, Uplifting, Conscious, Passionate, Psychedelic

Osamu Kitajima – Benzaiten

Style: Progressive Acid-Folk, Ritual-Folk, Psych

Moods: Sombre, Earthy, Ritualistic, Psychedelic, Brooding, Exploratory, Mysterious, Spiritual

Musical Attributes: Progressive, Acoustic, Percussive, Rhythmic, Complex, Dynamic

Tame Impala – Lonerism

Style: Psych Pop, Dream Pop, Shoegaze, Neo-Psychedelia

Vibe: Dreamy, Catchy, Lush, Warm, Alienation, Psychedelic, Studio-as-an-instrument

Musical Attributes: Melodic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Headphone Album

Deradoorian – Find the Sun

Style: Psych Rock, Kosmische-Influenced

Vibe: Introspective, Mystical, Spiritual, Confident, Conscious, Existential, Hypnotic, Motorik, Psychedelic, Uplifting

Sunburned Hand of the Man – Fire Escape

The free-form psychedelia and tribal “group therapy” of Sunburned Hand of the Man are in great hands with producer Kieran Hebden (Four Tet)—his dubs and cuts transform their usually lo-fi, meandering jams into something much more immediate, without losing any of their exploratory and spontaneous energy. Recommended for fans of polyrhythmic Afro-inspired percussion, dubbed out production, communal sound rituals, and dense psychedelia.

Warpaint – The Fool

Style: Dream Pop, Psych Rock

Vibe: Dreamy, Groovy, Psychedelic, Ethereal, Sensual, Love, Nocturnal

Agitation Free – Malesch

Style: Kosmische Music, Psychedelic Rock, Space Rock

Influences: Arabic Music, African Music, Prog

Vibe: Exploratory, Psychedelic, Desert, Tribal

Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Studio-as-an-instrument, Sound Collage, Riffs

The Clandestine Quartet – One for the Fossa, Two for the Wolverine

Released in 2019 on 33-33 Records Format: LP Style: Free-Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Experimental Rock Influences: Arabic Folk Music, Free Improvisation, Drone, Indian Classical Music Vibe: Exploratory, Cathartic, Ritualistic, Psychedelic, Spiritual Musical Attributes: Improvisation Members: Sir Richard Bishop (Guitar, Piano), Chris Corsano (Drums), Alvarius Bishop (Bass, Vocals), Michael Flower (Japanese Banjo)

Gong – Magick Brother

Style: Canterbury Scene, Psych Rock

Vibe: Psychedelic, Whimsical, Joyful, Eccentric, Spacey, Playful

Musical Attributes: Raw, Progressive, lo-fi

Dungen – Tio Bitar

Style: Psych Rock

Vibe: Chaotic, Energetic, Psychedelic, Stoned, Retro

Musical Qualities: Fuzzy, Riffs, Loose, Dense

The Soft Machine – The Soft Machine [2nd Press]

Style: Canterbury Scene, Psych Pop, Progressive Pop, Jazz-Influenced

Moods: Surreal, Whimsical, Dadaist, Playful, Joyful, Uplifting

Musical Qualities: Suite, Catchy, Complex, Uncommon Time Signatures, Loose

The Flaming Lips – The Terror

Released in 2013 on Bella Union UK Pressing Format: LPx2, Bonus 7″, Holographic Cover Studio album takes up sides A, B, & C. Side D contains “We Don’t Control the Controlled (mashed-the-fuck-up-remix, Dan Deacon and the Electric Worms’ Insight Violence)” 7″ includes “Sun Blows Up Today” b/w “All You Need Is Love (featuring Alex and …

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Yonatan Gat – Director

Released in 2015 on Joyful Noise Records Recorded April 4-5, 2014 Format: LP, clear seafoam green vinyl

The Flaming Lips – Soft Bulletin

Style: Psychedelic Pop, Neo-Psychedelia

Moods: Surreal, Science Fiction, Epic, Bittersweet, Triumphant, Sentimental, Playful, Apocalyptic, Warm, Melancholy, Existential, Anthemic

Musical Qualities: Catchy, Lush, Melodic, Polished

Amon Düül II – Phallus Dead

Originally released in 1969 on Liberty Records 2014 pressing on Purple Pyramid Format: LP, pink/blue swirl vinyl Includes Poster

Love – Forever Changes

Originally released in 1967 on Elektra 2012 Rhino Pressing, cut from original analogue masters Format: LP

Grails – Deep Politics

Darkly cinematic rock instrumentals with some creeping, Dostoevskian vibes. This is probably the most meticulous and progressive album I’ve heard from these guys, who are always finding new ways of funneling their omnivorous library of influences into their dramatic and atmospheric psych rock stylings.

Holy Sons – In the Garden

After 20+ years of using his introspective songwriting as a playground for psychedelic lo-fi experimentation, underdog hero Emil Amos hands the production reins to John Angello (Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.) for his most polished album yet, capturing the best aspects of 70’s rock classics without ever feeling cliché. The hi-fi analogue production brings a newfound clarity and depth that allows Amos’ songwriting and instrumental performances to bloom; the choruses are anthemic, the atmospheres are darkly psychedelic, and his lyrics are just as philosophical and contemplative as ever.

Yonatan Gat – Universalists

The new album from guitarist Yonatan Gat finds cohesiveness in its sprawling diversity. Stylistically it combines the rawness of garage rock, the thematic improvisation of Free jazz, and the experimental editing of musique concréte with psychedelic production, Arabic and Klezmer scales and surfy tremelo guitars.

MGMT – Congratulations

Style: Psych Pop, Surf, Progressive Pop

Vibe: Surreal, Sunny, Warm, Retro, Playful, Existential, Psychedelic

Musical Qualities: Lush, Melodic, Catchy, Progressive

Alfonso Lovo – La Gigantona

Released in 2012 by Numero Group Recorded in 1976 Format: LP Overview Originally recorded in 1976, this psychedelic latin-jazz masterpiece never got a proper release due to both a lack of interest from record labels and Lovo’s family having to flee from Nicaragua in fear of the mass executions committed by the Sandinista government. Thanks …

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Dr. Dog – Easy Beat

Style: Psych-Pop

Vibe: Sunny, Happy, Catchy

Musical Attributes: Simple, Vocal Harmonies, Lyrical, Melodic

Grails – Chalice Hymnal

While each Grails album uses instrumental rock as a means to explore a vast record collection’s worth of influences, none have done so with the subtlety and focus put into each track of this latest offering, allowing us to see the intangible essence of their sound more clearly than ever.

Six Organs of Admittance – Ascent

Taking a detour from his usual loner-droner psych folk style, Ben Chasney enlists former Comets on Fire bandmates to jam some heavy rock burners with a a cosmic amount of electric guitar shredding, evoking Neil Young & Crazy Horse blasting off on a rocket. The new electric energy brought to this album is balanced out by an equal amount of the fingerpicking prog-folk and meditative acoustic ballads that have been developing in his music since the 90’s. While I will always love his more melancholy, nocturnal records that sound like he’s lost in a forest somewhere, I welcome the fiery energy of Ascent.

Holy Sons – Survivalist Tales

Album Information: Released in 2011 on Partisan Records Produced by Emil Amos Jeff Stuart Saltzman recorded tracks B1, B3, B5 and mixed track A2. Ash Black Buffalo – Synths on A1, B1, B4 and B5 All other instruments by Emil Amos A3 written by The Troggs Recommended Tracks: Slow Days, Look of Pain!, Reckless Liberation

White Denim – Fits/Exposion

Album Information: Released in 2009 on Downtown Music Exposion originally released in 2008 and is included as a bonus LP Origin: Austin, TX Format: LPx2

Soft Machine – Volume Two

Soft Machine’s second album is an eclectic suite packed full of whimsical psychedelia, Dadaist detours, complex prog structures and jazz-inspired musicianship.