Critic's Notebook

Black Mountain

On this debut, the chameleonic Vancouver fivesome is lovin' the '70s. "Oh, we can't stand/Your modern music/We feel afflicted," singer Stephen McBean moans on the saxophone-and-drums swells of "Modern Music." Things get retro on the bounding-down-the-boulevard "Druganaut," which sounds like Jimi Hendrix by way of Band of Gypsys. But when...
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

On this debut, the chameleonic Vancouver fivesome is lovin’ the ’70s. “Oh, we can’t stand/Your modern music/We feel afflicted,” singer Stephen McBean moans on the saxophone-and-drums swells of “Modern Music.” Things get retro on the bounding-down-the-boulevard “Druganaut,” which sounds like Jimi Hendrix by way of Band of Gypsys. But when it comes to the lyrics, McBean and co-vocalist Amber Webber focus their sights on bashing U.S. foreign policy. “The war machine/Keeps on rolling/Evil minds and hearts of stone,” they sing wearily on “Set Us Free,” later pleading: “Lord, won’t you let us be?”

This year, make your gift count –
Invest in local news that matters.

Our work is funded by readers like you who make voluntary gifts because they value our work and want to see it continue. Make a contribution today to help us reach our $30,000 goal!

$30,000

GET MORE COVERAGE LIKE THIS

Sign up for the Music newsletter to get the latest stories delivered to your inbox

Loading latest posts...