Dead Meadow have been incorporating darker Eastern musical influences in their compositions and Force Form Free fully embraces the approach. This interweaving of these sounds gives the album a more floating in space vibe that then brings you back to earth with its muscular guitar delivery. Some highlights include “Valmont’s Pad,” which falls back on a more 70’s classic rock guitar riff that foot taps through the waves of psychedelia that surround it. Then on “To Let The Time Go By,” you finally get to hear vocalist Jason Simon sing four tracks into the six song album. The track is more acoustic based as well, which also gives Force Form Free just the right amount of diversity.
Fans new and old should really like Force Free Form. From the moments of concentrated distortion to the album closer “Binah,” and its eight minutes of desert walk glory, this album is a true grower. It is a record that shows its complexities with each spin and the magic behind this more laid back creation from Dead Meadow. They are a group that should be listed in the top tier of our current modern psych blitz and is a band that should always build anticipation for what they release next!
Christopher Anthony
For more of Christopher Anthony’s music reviews, check out The Fire Note
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