From Trondheim, Norway comes a crew of young gents called Kings Of The Valley. They're pouring out liters of fresh, cool multi-hued Psychedelic prog rock, with a wild stonery sugar crust around the edge of the glass. A 3-song EP in the form of a citrus-colored 10" vinyl. When I first heard a taste of the EP, it was unlike any of the bands by which any of those words can be used to describe. But then there it stood, sitting comfortably in that psych-y realm. Thus began a graceful slide into the heart of this particular American. I feel all gooey inside, like I ate too many Jujubes.
This sweet candy is brought to you by the band, working with the powers that be in Brygga Records. When testing such delicacies, it's often recommended to try just a tiny bit first, and see how you feel about it. Sadly, this EP is pretty quick, and to-the-point. 3 songs just don't seem like enough, and by the time it's over, you're already wondering if there might be a hidden track somewhere. At the moment, this is what we get.
"Lie" opens up with a bassline that creepeth over all that creepeth. Within ten seconds, you're ensnared in a sticky web of melodic psych. Halcyon 1970s vibes, sunny.. almost California-like. A wild ride into a jam-infused, organ-heavy, riff-laden galaxy. Swirling guitar solos sit high atop a rock candy bluff, chanting enough licks to get to the center of the universe.
"Wake Up"... another fuzzy adventure into a glittery horizon. With a sound that recalls early 70s prog, brimming with visions of 60s go-go dancers, mai tais, and decadently large round sunglasses. The scent of strawberry taffy wafts over the room like a thick fog.
"Rotosphere" ignores the 5-second rule, picks up a few dirty caramels from the floor, and boldly eats them right in front of you. A few melodic passages make way for a grooved-out, tandem guitar-vox oration, and proceeds to let the keys do some talking before letting the sermon begin again. Solos bounce around the foreground. It all melts into a instrumental jam-fest, a la mode.
A band to keep an eye on. If this is all we get, then this is a pleasing enough release, despite the length. Even so, you'll find that this is truly something you can play over and over again. That, in itself, is an accomplishment.
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