Album Review: Here We Go Magic - Pigeons

Pigeons is the second foray into the realms of psychedelic indie pop for Luke Temple's outfit Here We Go Magic, coming only a year after their self titled debut that was met with a resounding "yeh, it's alright" from the world of music people… whoever they are. The sound is definitely more 'there' with this effort and makes for a wonderful, dreamlike album that is bound to be met with an overall "yeh, this is cool". More a traditional album than a collection of short sharp singles, Pigeons rides on a wave of gentle and breezy psychedelia not unlike the more mellow moments of the new MGMTrecord and echoes the crazed but twee sound of late '60's English psych pop. Lead single 'Collector', clocking in at over 5 minutes, is reminiscent of fellow oddballs Clap Your Hands Say Yeahand brims with happiness, smiles and wispy backing vocals. The majority of this album is slightly more laid back than 'Collector' though, and makes for great summer afternoon listening, being just mellow enough to soothe yet filled with a playful spirit that keeps it interesting.

Opening tune 'Hibernation' instantly sets the tone for the album with a bouncing bassline and quick switches between soft and jagged vocal melodies - it's also a great example of the bands sound. The songs don't deviate too much from this formula for the duration of the album and the only tunes that display a real buzz of energy about them are 'Old World United'  and 'Vegetable or Native', both of which are every bit as whacked out as some of their forefathers on Piper At The Gates Of Dawn. It's not all hippy trippy ditties and oh-so-quirky jams here though - album highlight 'F.F.A.P' is cloaked in a peaceful aura that captures perfectly the feeling of being underwater with it's washy synth pads and continuous sonar-style beep ringing throughout.

The word 'Fun' is never really a word positively attributed to music that isn't deliberate wacky pop music but it really does apply to this band. So many bands don't have that sense of fun and playfulness about them, preferring to take themselves and their music way too seriously despite the fact they are complete nobodies. Here We Go Magic don't share that problem; their uplifting music really captures the spirit that music is supposed to be made in, I mean… even Dylan had a few light hearted songs on Freewheelin’ amongst all the doom and gloom.

I predict there will be good times ahead for this quirky little band and even though Animal Collectivehave become The Beatles of this genre, Here We Go Magic could carve their way forward - they aren't so extreme in their psychedelic experimentation and occupy a good middle ground combining the kaleidoscopic with more traditional song form.

Despite being a solid effort, this record will not be Here We Go Magic's seminal work. It could really do with some more tracks like 'Collector' in it's squad, as the other songs don't really stand up to it and don't seem as 'complete'. A solid record though, and a great foundation to be built on.