So, I was browsing Pitchfork one day (I can't help it) and I came across a double review of the two latest endeavors that have sprouted from the infamous Psychedelic Horseshit, Shitgaze Anthems and Golden Oldies. I only spent about twenty seconds scanning the page: 1 second of looking at the rating, 1 second of gasping at the 5.2 and the 7, and 18 seconds looking at the length of the review itself and wondering whether or not I should actually read it. I did the wrong thing and closed the page, pouting. Little did I know, the review was surprisingly well-written. I also learned that I should consider listening to an album before I throw a tantrum.
Weeks later, I listened to the album and became unsure of it. It wasn't just a first listen "Oh, well, it's ehhh." and never listen to it again moment. It was a moment where I thought that Shitgaze Anthems was a tough listen. Really tough. I listened to it more and more and I still wonder. I don't know. This is a very similar listening experience to when hearing The Shaggs album Philosophy of the World. But that's a concept album *scratches head*. This might be a concept album, like a joke album. But I don't see any mention of it. So, it could possibly be an inside joke between the band members. Because you really can't take a song entitled "We're Pink Floyd, Bitch" seriously.
To talk about the songs, they're a little like what was done in the past, except they attempt to be even more obnoxious sounding than before which is already obnoxious to begin with. The instruments are loud, probably due to the four-track-style recording. But the vocals are even louder and more upfront. It's repetitious but a little endearing. How long can you keep this going? What's the point? It could just be an addition to the Psychedelic Horseshit shtick or it may just be an inferior release. I really don't know. However, there are a couple of highlights, namely "Dreadlock Paranoia" and "Are You On Glass?" but still. A lot of people may just blankly listen to this and say, "It's lo-fi, what can you expect?" But this is where the trend is going too far. It's where just about anybody can be in a band, whether or not the music is good, purposely make it lo-fi and have everybody love it. If this keeps going on, will anyone know what good music is?
To take a break from bashing Shitgaze Anthems, let's go into the positive aspect of Psychedelic Horseshit and say that they're not a bad band. I'd say their best musical effort to date is the Who Let The Dogs Out EP. Catchy melodies, witty lyrics, and all the songs have good builds. Shitgaze Anthems, however, is the opposite, except for witty lyrics. That's one charm that they never tend to lose. Also, the term shitgaze. What is it? It's a pretty inaccurate term because there's nothing "gazy" about Psychedelic Horseshit. "Shit" is the only part of the term that's comparable. And since Psychedelic Horseshit conjured it, it's now become fully necessary to tag any lo-fi band as "shitgaze" nowadays. "Shoegaze" wasn't even considered a proper term and the music was in fact "gazy". So what is this? Either way, I guess you can buy the album, nothing's stopping you. They're your ears.
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