author: Nolan
From the opening moments of this CD, Red Plastic Buddha serve notice that they have arrived. An insistant guitar that buzzes like a swarm of hornets, a half screamed count in 'one, two, three, FOUR' and Red Plastic Buddha slams into your consciousness like a psychedelic freight train. Awesome guitar hooks and a catchy as hell chorus are the backbone for the opening song Forget Me Not, but this burst of sunlight is just a set up for the darkness that follows in Rollercoaster. Like a trip gone wrong, these guys capture the sinister feeling that things have suddenly gone wrong and there just might not be a way back to shore. But then comes the payoff of Clouds, a swirling sonic exploration, complete with beautiful vocal harmonies, walls of organ, piano and absolutely AMAZING guitar (I think there's even a sitar in there at one point). 'All in its season, for all has a reason'. A beautiful end to an amazing song / journey.
And suddenly I get what they're up to. Having experienced halleucenogens in my college days, I think I can safely say that the Red Plastic Buddha have walked that inner path as well, taking copious notes along the way. They manage to capture both the absolute euphoria and beauty as well as the harrowing nature of the dark side, and have put the experience to sound. They're wise enough to alternate the experiences so the listener doesn't get too high or low at any one point.
The musicianship is first rate throughout and the sound is absolutely huge. Although there's less than 34 minutes of music here, Red Plastic Buddha pack an amazing listening experience into such a compact package. Kind of like a sugar cube ...
Wow. These guys are smart.
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The Red Plastic Buddha
author: Zed Next
Whirling,swirling and pulsating like any psychedelia worth its weight in windowpanes, The Red Plastic Buddha weaves memories of the dreamy, moody and driving psychedelic sounds of the '60s and '70s with their own personal touches for a very enjoyable and trippy blend.
Their CD, "Sunflower Sessions", opens with "Forget Me Not", a chunk of psychedelic punk. Pugnacious guitar work sets the song on fire as lyrics of desperation are defiantly flung at the listener. Tears of rage not easily forgotten.
In "Rollercoaster" a sunglasses-clad, beret-wearing carnival barker hipster with a lava lamp wristwatch standing outside a coffeehouse that's wrapped in Peter Max snake charmer music urges you to come take a ride on the rollercoaster, "Come on! Let it happen to you!"
Like "Clouds", the next offering, the RPB encircle, swirl and fold into themselves. Beautiful and tough.
"Kerosene"---This one singes. A lovelorn lament told in the incinerating tones of a lysergic lullaby. Diane Arbus and Joan of Arc at the Teddy Bear's Picnic.
"Over and Over" delivers dreamy reconsiderations riding waves of repetition and regret. Over and over, over and over...again.
"Gingerbread Pornography" is my personal favorite. Driving, urgent, head-banging psychedelia with some very cool keyboard work.
Red Plastic Buddha, my friends, will surely awaken something within you. Good buy.
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