Dead Meadow: Old Growth

Label: Matador

Dead Meadow’s latest is already touted as the album closest to an instant classic that we’ll get this year. Ten years in the making, Old Growth is THE album that both fans and critics of the much lauded decade-old trio have waited for. The indie darlings’ heavily hyped release boasts an impressive blend of hard and psychedelic rock delivered with the perfect amount of punch. At other times, the band’s skillful restraint pervades the album, lending an affecting elegance and richness that’s rare in today’s soundscape of angular guitars and electronic beats and bleeps. Their sound’s a throwback to the 60s and 70s, and both their chops and pastoral moments are reminiscent of the granddaddies of epic rock, Led Zeppelin. (They even have Tolkien inspired lyrics to boot!) But enough said – take it with you on your next road trip and let it speak for itself. (Carrie)