Deep Politics

Released

How many bands would cover a wild psychedelic rave-up from the most messed-up scene in an obscure 70s giallo flick? Not many, but at least one: Grails. These post-post-rock Portlanders often feel more indebted to Ennio Morricone than Slint or GY!BE, and all the better for it. Full-length album number six (not counting the Black Tar Prophecies EP series) has some of their most accessible material on it: the aforementioned “All the Colors of the Dark,” trip-hoppy “Corridors of Power,” and cello-fied “Future Primitive” all feel like artifacts from cult flick soundtracks even if they aren’t literally. Which isn’t to say they don’t get weird. Or weirder, as the case may be, with ominous deconstructed classic rock epic “Almost Grew My Hair” the most unexpected and unexpectedly satisfying.

Jeff Treppel

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