Album Focus: The Brian Jonestown Massacre

Hi there, I'm Nate Lanxon and this is Encoded's album focus show, where every week we take a closer look at one of the week's new releases.

This week the focus is on The Brian Jonestown Massacre, whose thirteenth studio album, My Bloody Underground, has just been released.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre are a band who seem to survive in a perpetual cyclone of self-destruction and deluded self-importance, but also one who continually produce and release innovative and exciting music, giving them a skewed place in the hearts of their fans and detractors alike.

My Bloody Underground features a scattering of Jonestown members alongside a crew of Icelandic musicians, as well as Mark Gardener from Scouse bowl cut heroes Ride.

What the influence of these other musicians gives My Bloody Underground is a diversity and eclecticism that Newcombe has hinted at on previous album And This is Our Music, marrying their psychedelic rock and dirgy garage sound with a shoegaze soundscape that brings to mind My Bloody Valentine.

It's not a homage record though, as Newcombe's retro rock stylings still ring the loudest bell throughout the album. What it is, is an album by a man who at 40 finally seems to have found his feet, and is no longer trying to keep his head above water in a sea of his own urine.

If you like what you've heard, head over to freealbums.blogsome.com to get nine full BJM albums for free. 

Next week we'll be looking at the new album from Minneapolis rockers Tapes N Tapes, who have the rare distinction of being the talk of the town at South By South West two years in a row, so until then, praise be.