Ganglians – Monster Head Room (2009) [Woodist] // Grade: B+

While Beach Boys inspired Baroque Pop has been in vogue for quite a while now it’s mostly brought about bands who either lifelessly regurgitate it (Ra Ra Riot) or those who take it to such extremes (Animal Collective) that most of it’s inherent pop sensibilities get lost in the process. On their second release and first full-length, Sacramento’s Ganglians lovingly work what I could only describe as a high fidelity Lo-Fi sound that coasts the experimental fringes of Van Dyke Park’s Song Cycle to the alluring bliss that is Pet Sounds. While I do wish Ganglians didn’t rely as heavily as they do on their esteemed influences, it’s hard to hold too much against a band who can keep up with their own lofty standards en route to creating such an absorbing album.

I can’t stress how great the production on this album is. To Ganglians, Lo-Fi isn’t a means of adding some undefinable charm, it’s an exercise on how sonic limitations can be exploited into creating a perfectly executed and calculated feel for the listener. because of which, Monster Head Room has this uncanny ability to capturing and transporting you back to a sun-drenched and optimistic California of the 1960s one good acid trip (song) at a time.

- My Pal the Crook