Blod – Pilgrimssånger (Discreet Music)

Swedish entity Blod seems to take different approaches to blowing minds, but this one apparently references Swedish Christian parish culture. The collectors of obscure 1970s “real people” psych records classify this type of thing as “Xtian Folk”. Wayward group vocals, lurching percussion, clanging guitars and people getting crazy with wood flutes and ocarinas mirror the psychedelic commune experience first heard on cult sponsored sessions of the late 60s and ESP-DISK LPs. This style has not been heard from since the heyday of ‘00s CD-R culture, happy to enjoy it again in the context of the contemporary Swedish experimental scene, which seems so fruitful as of late.

Long Odds – Fine Thread (self-released)

I am not super familiar with the history of 00s band Times New Viking. They made their name as a more extreme lo-fi take on 90s Flying Nun and Scat Records sounds, but it was their “hi-fi” album Dancer Equired that drew me in. This new project from an ex-Viking keeps the grit but pushes the vocals way out front. The mix and style sounds Tall Dwarfs inspired and maybe even closer is Sentridoh, where the double-tracked vocals are a key musical component. A song like “High Tide” is especially satisfying, starting with direct into the tape deck guitar and a wheezy chord organ, eventually a fuzzy drum beat drops in, and he sings “And now you’re face to face with a world that is wrong”. I would buy the vinyl if it was on vinyl.

Holt Bodish – Build Yourself a Space (Petty Bunco)

Another lo-fi weirdo pop belter, this time from Montana and more on the Frogs side of things with jittery vocals and a somewhat absurdist feeling. The guitars again have that delightful plugged straight into the 4-track overdrive sound. Way more pop than what Jandek did on his various European Jewels but this also has that sub-Velvets feel with little regard for getting-it-right. “Two Feelings” is quite catchy with a galloping bongo beat, and even the tangled nest of guitars on the 6 min “Amalgam” is oddly pleasing.

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