Dead Meadow has long been my dazed, stoner rock band of choice. Over the past 5 albums they have definitely honed their ability to create a wall of fuzzy, progressive, spaced-out sound waves. While their not-so-sparce guitar solo’s may be percieved as masturbatory by some, I find that they’re seated well in each track and maintain a fit and finish that keeps them in check with the feeling of the song and therefor non intrusive. I have listened to just about everything this band has put out including their live record, peel sessions, and finally their latest, aptly named album, Old Growth. I’m not sure how long-time fans/critiques feel about it, but to me they have finally reached a wonderful balance of noise, rhythm, and diversity of themes as well as a much more fitting balance in the albums engineering. Gush, gush, gush, etc., etc.
If you haven’t given Dead Meadow a chance, Old Growth is the album to listen to. For additional THC-free buzz’s, don’t be afraid to listen to Shivering King and Others, or their self titled release.