Wow! It’s been a year since the last Six Organs of Admittance album, and upon first listen to Ascent, it’s obvious that much has changed. Okay everything has changed, as leader Ben Chasny has reunited with his friends from Comets on Fire, and instead of the droning, sublime John Fahey and Robbie Basho guitar experiments and the beautiful psych-folk of the past, he’s gone straight out stoner rock, with an emphasis on the rock. There’s some bluesy singing on “Closer to the Sky,” and the full-tilt boogie of “Wasawa” and “Even If You Knew” is just balls-out fun, especially when the stereo is cranked up loud. Those of you who sought out Six Organs for their mellower moments, don’t fret; “Solar Ascent” and “Your Ghost” will give you your fix, but this represents a new, exciting direction for Chasny, and it’s one that certainly holds up listen after listen. While Ascent is a change of style, it’s a great change of style.
