from the LP Emergency Third Rail Power Trip, Zippo Records, 1984Making music that harkened backwards about fifteen years during a decade that worshipped all things new and futuristic was sure to keep a band from large scale success; now, having the luxury of 25 years worth of hindsight, it’s clear to me that had these guys released this LP a decade later, they probably would have been signed to Elephant 6 records and become celebrated indie darlings---as it was, however, they released this incredible album to little acclaim, lost their lead guitarist & songwriter David Roback (the same dude who went on to back & write for Mazzy Star in the ‘90s), and broke up after dropping just one more studio album. Everything about this song simply shimmers: the vocal harmonies, the dual guitars, taught bassline & crisp drumming, trusty tambourine. This track, and much of the album, easily stands alongside The Byrds’ more psychedelic stuff, yet found itself too late for the original party, and too soon for the full-fledged revival. Not too mention, one of the most hauntingly beautiful album covers of the whole decade!
