Laguna Beach-based post-rock project Acid Smoothie has just dropped a second LP, entitled Faxing The Vatican. Helmed by multi-instrumentalist Paul Dunne, Acid Smoothie’s new album features eight genre-bending tracks that evoke imagery of forgotten technologies to mirror sentiments of today, filling fuzz-drenched caverns with messages of confronting one’s ego and past self.
“I wanted to create a record that emulated some of my favorite live albums while also honoring my love for organized chaos,” says Paul Dunne. “I used a lot of first takes when recording to give it that organic feeling of presence and human touch, which was different than the last album I did where I wanted to be a bit more precise. The themes of the album rely heavily on what it means to grow older and the validity of depending on past experiences to shape the future self – much like the worn technology we say is outdated but functions true to form as time marches on.“
Faxing The Vatican kicks off with “Dice Guy,” boasting driving riffs, tons of fuzz, and a unique yet surprisingly catchy style. It’s the perfect intro to the rest of the songs, getting listeners into the proper headspace for what’s to come. Mellowing out a bit with “Shandarita,” followed by the compelling sound of “Answering Machine,” the album continues on its way, weaving forward with the riff-heavy, infectious style
“I Won’t Join Yr Church” brings on a relatable subject (anyone else hate when people show up at your door to sell their religion? Same.), with a chilled-out first half that bursts into a huge, distorted sound and an infusion of energy. “Panasonic” keeps up those incredible riffs and adds some earworm keys, right into “Soft Fraud”. This one feels like beat poetry set to intoxicating guitar, with an almost fever dream quality to it. The catchiness evolves with the indie rock sound of “Cracked Screen,” before the final song wraps up the album. “Shred” more than lives up to its title; riff-heavy, frenetic and just plain great damn guitar work It’s an appropriate end to this collection of songs.
Overall, Faxing The Vatican is a fuzzed-up alt rock gem, with compelling lyrics and a frenzied, somewhat post-punk twist. The almost spoken-word vocal style adds an intensity and seriousness to it, as well as a unique sound that stands out amongst cookie-cutter approaches to music that have become the norm. The hooks and earworms come through in the guitar riffs and other instrumentation, with the lyrics driving forward the sentiment behind each song. I highly recommend reading the lyrics while listening for a more immersive experience, and diving right into the ethos of Faxing The Vatican.
Stream Faxing The Vatican by Acid Smoothie on your preferred platform:
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