Review: Big Mountain County - Breaking Sound

Big Mountain County are a neopsych / garage band from Italy and 'Breaking Sound' is their debut LP, and is a pretty darned good one at that. Released last month on Gas Vintage Records it follows on from a self-released 7" and an extensive European tour.

The majority of the album is straight up neopsych fare, with possibly a touch of garage and post-punk thrown in, but it is a solid set of well-contructed songs. That's not to say is there is not any variety....the title track sounds for all the world like the B52s playing some poppy psych...the singer does a mean Fred Schneider impression (and there are even some Kate Pierson vox). 'Make A Move' would fit nicely onto the "Children Of Nuggets" boxset - some very nice Paisley Underground vibes going on. 'Conflict Resolution Part 1', probably my favourite on the album, has some wonderful psych guitar with a Myrrors edge to it, and builds to a wonderfully aggressive climax. 'One More' is a more laid back affair with some great, twangy lounge/surf guitar and the closing track, aptly titled 'Farewell' has some Procul Harem like organ and some hazy, psych guitars and some male/female vocal harmonising.

As we all know the psychedelic music movement has had one hell of a revival in the past couple of years, and while new bands of this quality are raising their heads above the parapet, I can see no reason why it should end. This album is one I will revisit on a regular basis. It is available only in digital format at the moment I believe* and can be found on the band's bandcamp page and I would recommend you give this new band a listen. *I have just been informed by the band that 'Breaking Sound' is also available on Vinyl and CD - good news!