FRECKLE, FRECKLE

What do you get when you bring together two great guitarists and musicians with leanings toward '60s and '70s psychedelic rock and shared California roots? In the case of Ty Segall and Color Green's Corey Madden, you get their new collaborative project, Freckle. Their self-titled debut blends fuzzed-out guitars, sunlit harmonies, and freewheeling jams into a sound that’s both nostalgic and fresh. Tracks like Paranoid and For the Last Time balance heavy, riff-driven grooves with reverb-soaked melodies. Segall’s raw energy and Madden’s fluid guitar work complement each other effortlessly, making Freckle a cool trip through modern psychedelia.

 

COLOR GREEN, FOOLS PARADE

"All of us are fans of all types of music. We like to wear our influences on our sleeves, but we try to keep our eye on timelessness and originality within the process. We try not to be too obvious about where we’re pulling from, but rather aim to pay respect to the legends that have shaped our musical taste." Corey Maden, Guitarist

On their sophomore album, Fools Parade, California-based quartet Color Green straddle '70's psychedelic and classic rock as well as '60's SoCal folk-rock and '80's underground rock to great success. As soon as I started listening to it, I felt like I was revisiting a great old album that I had forgotten about. 

But the real magic of Fools Parade lies in its ability to feel familiar without falling into nostalgia's trap. There’s a subtle edge throughout, as Color Green balances homage with some raw, contemporary energy. Sun-drenched harmonies with jangly guitars, evoking both the breezy charm of Laurel Canyon and the gritty allure of CBGB’s. It’s a love letter to rock’s golden eras for sure, but one written with fresh ink and a knowing wink, making it feel timeless yet undeniably of the moment. Perhaps someday I will forget about this album, but not anytime soon. 

ROSE CITY BAND, GARDEN PARTY

Ripley Johnson is a guitarist and musician that I has been making his own blend of psychedelic and experimental rock with his band Wooden Shjips and musical project Moon Duo for many years. While I have been a big fan of Johnson's, I will confess that some of his music has been a bit too experimental for my taste. So I was very excited in 2020 when he stepped out with his third and most approachable band/project Rose City Band. In the studio, Rose City has been more or less a solo project for Johnson. It's one that has him leaning heavily into a fantastic blend of country and psychedelic rock. On his latest album, Garden Party, Johnson pays a bit of homage to the Grateful Dead and prepares us for summer with a set of songs that will keep you movin' and groovin' and put a big smile on your face.