Released: October 9,2012
Musical psychedelia is a strange beast in this day. Artists in varying genres dip their toes into the psychedelic pool. They don a sophomore album with one psychedelia inspired song to have their curiosity quenched, leaving them free to go back to what they know. It is rare that an artist can fully submerge themselves into psychedelia- post 1979 -and be successful. Tame Impala is the God amongst mere men when it comes to psychedelic rock.
Lonerism is the Aussie bands second studio album. What gives Lonerism its ultimate gold star is the fact that it is not merely trying to emulate a sound most prevalent in the 60’s and 70’s, but going further and creating a sound to rival some of the psychedelic greats from the flower power era. Tame Impala digs into the core of psychedelic music and harnesses the “experimental” notion that is accompanied with it. From there, you combine that with their groove rock, dream world melodies and a masterpiece is born.
This album feels reminiscent of the best parts of the Beatles, using similar melodies with an uncanny vocal resemblance to John Lennon. It also has a Jefferson Airplane rock base that ties it all together. Not that this was the bands intention. It would be silly not to make the obvious comparison. The most notable aspect of Lonerism, though, is how Tame Impala adeptly captured the feel of a psychedelic trip. From the initial note there is a sense that the album could go anywhere.
The first track ‘Be Above It’ is clearly the powerhouse of the album and an excellent first song to set the mood for what is to follow. The experimental sounds, musical anarchy, combined with head honcho Kevin Parker’s dreamlike neo-psych voice create a fascinating song. But it’s not all air and whimsy on Lonerism. Tame Impala doesn’t shy away from a solid beat on ‘Elephant’, where the underlying beat line emulates an elephant parade.
Lonerism is predominantly instrumental. Though, it is not overwhelming noticeable that there is so little vocal work. The hooks, rises, and falls make for a fascinating and memorable 52minutes.
Above all Tame Impala created an organic album which forces a person to become fully aware of their senses. Lonerism extends itself to parts of the self generating a full body experience.
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