SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BABE RAINBOW – SLIPPER IMP AND SHAKAERATOR

BABE RAINBOW
SLIPPER AND SHAKAERATOR
P(DOOM RECORDS)

Australia is undoubtedly home to some of the coolest psychedelic rock bands working today. One band that is leading that charge with their cheerfully dazzling music and pleasantly mellow attitude is Babe Rainbow. Babe Rainbow’s newest record, Slipper imp and shakaerator, is a brilliant addition to their discography and might just be their best record yet.

Several tracks are just a groovy old time with endless charm. Few bands can match the colorfully sunny spirit that Babe Rainbow encapsulates in their music. “Like cleopatra” is irresistibly catchy with Angus Dowling’s hypnotically captivating vocals, danceable rhythms, delightfully positive and laid-back energy, deliciously funky guitar riffs, and bright melody. Fans of Prince and Cameo will be obsessed with this song. “Sunday” features epic slide guitar, otherworldly synths, a transcendentally hazy atmosphere, and a wonderful blend of psychedelic rock, surf rock, jazz, blues, and space rock. It is a hell of a good time. “LONG LIVE THE WILDERNESS” will mesmerize listeners with its kinetically vibrant jam session in the outro. Alternatively, “When the milk flows” is an absolute banger of a song, with the main highlights being the exhilarating guitar solo, thrillingly fast-paced drums, and full-throttle energy. Lastly, “Aquarium cowgirl” is an entertaining, feel-good tune that could last forever. From start to finish, it is an infectious burst of relaxing melodies and lighthearted vibes.

Camille Jansen and Stu Mackenzie are featured in “Rainbows end” and “Mt dub”, respectively. “Rainbows end” is a weirdly fascinating tune, mainly due to the somewhat idiosyncratically ethereal beats. Jansen delivers a compelling spoken word thing that merges very nicely with Dowling’s vocals. Meanwhile, “Mt dub” exemplifies Mackenzie’s spectacular talent on the vocoder. Similarly to “Rainbows end”, Babe Rainbow explores some intriguing sounds and textures.

With not a single dud, Babe Rainbow’s Slipper imp and shakaerator is psychedelic rock at its finest.

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