Beachwood Sparks

Careening between the Grateful Dead, Buffalo Springfield and the Flying Burrito Brothers, Beachwood Sparks manages to evoke many images of that era's California pop/country collision, liberally dosed with psychedelia. They've done their research well, leaving you with the eerie feeling that you've heard this before. Stellar playing elevates this disc beyond the ordinary, and they add pretty embellishments without battering the song to death. With the exception of the lazy electronica of "Singing Butterfly," every element of this record is rooted heavily in the '60s and, consequently leaves a bit of a saccharin taste in the mouth. In all a very enjoyable listen, but a little less past and a little more present would ease the weight of the shtick.