Drivin' N Cryin' - Songs From The Psychedelic Time Clock (Almost Gone Records)

Drivin’ n’ Cryin’ offer salvo number three in the EP series they launched last year, and like the other two, this third installment is an excellent collection of songs. Whereas the previous records paid tribute to garage rock, roots rock, and punk, it should be obvious by the title (Songs From The Psychedelic Time Clock) and the kaleidoscopic cover that this is their homage to psychedelic rock. It is, but don’t really think of it as a band going into new territory; sure, “Metamorphcycle” might be slow and moody and bluesy at first, but it launches into a Doors style rock. Nothing on the record is as psychedelically trippy as the cover, but what they have done is gotten in touch with a sound that’s inspired by the 60s without trying to be the 1960s. Roger McGuinn, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and 13th Floor Elevators are the biggest influence, as they get mellow on “The Little Record Store Just Around The Corner” and “Sometimes The Rain (Is Just The Rain).” The final two songs, “In The Sound Room” and “The Psychedelic Time Clock” bring back their rock chops, and if you don’t think of Steppenwolf when you hear them, then you just don’t know. I’d been awaiting to hear Kevn Kinney‘s take on psych-rock ever since the band announced this series. There’s been zero description of what volume four will sound like; it’s a mystery, but after jamming to Songs From The Psychedelic Time Clock, all I can say is what I’ve said in my previous two reviews: bring it on!