Telepathic Butterflies

As melodic as Winnipeg's the Telepathic Butterflies are, they are able to maintain a strong centre to their highly original, '60s psych-influenced songs. Tight and disciplined yet at times seemingly as delicate as a crystal glass, the Nine Songs (plus a bonus three) are all originals save one, and composed by the band's two members. The multi-layered approach to studio production lends itself well to their psychedelic headspace: dreamy, floating cloud-like structures do much to capture the Butterflies' "flowers and meadows" sensibilities. Combined with power-pop guitar and modern studio playfulness, the CD requires much more than a single listening to properly capture the entire essence. There is very much to listen to and for on this disc, making it one of the more original and provocative this year.