You’re Smiling Now But We’ll All Turn Into Demons
Population IV
Cardinal Fuzz
(2015)
With roasting guitars, exploding drums and an overall sound that is so fried, it’s crispy, You’re Smiling Now But We’ll All Turn Into Demons are back with their glorious blend of ground-shaking garage jamming and acid-drenched metallic rock outs.
I was first turned on to YSNBWLTID when Cardinal Fuzz released their last full length, Inner Space Broadcasts Volume 2/Contact Raw Sessions. When my first listen was through, I was immediately smitten with their unique brand of especially potent psychedelic rock. In the years since, it appears that their sound has only grown stronger and more pronounced.
The tracks here range from the (Bevis Frond-esque) frenzied guitar wig-outs like “The Bee’s Eyes” and “Sad Alien & Winking Skeleton” to the hazy, rusted and even sludgy epics like “Throne Control” and “Hothouse.” Honestly, it’s the later of these two types of songs that I think is the mightiest and probably my favorite from the record. “Throne Control,” “Hothouse” and “Chapel Perilous” are all long, heavily atmospheric pieces that chug along like great behemoths dragging themselves across the earth. Each of these tracks feature thunderous fuzzed up guitar that can be anything from a quiet rumble to an ominous crash. This guitar sound is actually quite reminiscent of Neil Young’s charred performance on the Dead Man Soundtrack, which may be a part of the reason why images of deserts, stoic Old West gunmen on horseback and spirit journeys come to mind while listening to these specific songs. This album would be an absolute must for playing while driving around Monument Valley, mountains or any other grand and isolated feature of the landscape.
Insanely addictive and deeply haunting, Population IV is the kind of album that will follow you in the night and posses you by dawn.
Record Crates United 