Deadhorse

The self-titled debut from Calgary flower children Deadhorse is further proof the prairies are taking over. It's rare for a band to be able to make new music that sounds as though it's been around a long while without sounding tired or trite, but Deadhorse hearkens back to the psychedelic era with as much authenticity as one could hope for given the 40-something years between now and then. Without hesitation, "Interstellar Remedies" opens what will become an unapologetically trippy album. The dreamy pop vocals eventually turn into what sounds like a creepy choir groaning from the depths of hell: a compliment. This album would be more satisfying to the senses if every track sounded akin to the first, but the heavy-handed guitar ends up swallowing the harmonious howling that makes the album so initially commanding. "Glam Central" overdoes it on the Iggy Pop impersonation, but at the very least, it's a believable parody. The music loses control of itself, at times, but it wouldn't be a solid pseudo-classic rock album if it didn't.