Review Summary: The second half of a fabulous whole
Seemingly pulling from the Gizzard playbook in more ways than one, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets offers another full-length album in 2025. Pogo Rodeo is cut from the same cloth as the preceding Carpe Diem, Moonman and features a similar off-the-wall blend of fuzz rock overdrive and psych meandering. It might be a little more structured in comparison, not featuring as much math rock influence and carving out more pronounced distinctions between its heavy/soft contrasts.
As with the previous album, things start off here on the most aggressive note. The opening one-two of “Salsa Verde” and “Born In The A.D.’s” would’ve especially fit in well with their mix of immediately charging rhythms, fuzzy guitars, almost surf rock trills, and eccentric vocals (shoutout to the former track’s “Come Together” quotes). “Manny’s Ready To Roll” adjusts the propulsions to a more level pace while keeping its groove busy and its textures exotic as the desert rock stomp on “The Real Contra Band” feels like it could’ve come from Masters Of Reality.
However, Pogo Rodeo gets more of its own character through its greater focus on psych songs as well as the broader styles they explore. “Unconventional Daze” and “Bowling With Tom” stand out as more of their warped pop numbers with dreamy pianos, echoing vocals, and mellow rhythms while “Heading To Fringe” closes out with an almost folk flourish. “Texas Rangers” and “Looniversal” play up a certain southern appeal, the former featuring a combo of heavy yet twangy guitars and free-rolling rhythm that reminds me of Graveyard while the latter has an almost alt-country tinge.
Like the High Visceral pairing before it, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets offer another half of a fabulous whole with Pogo Rodeo. It’s no doubt arbitrary as to whether this or Carpe Diem, Moonman is the better release but this may be easier to feel out in comparison. I also find myself wondering how these albums would’ve compared had they made the heavy and soft segments into their own carved out albums, but I also appreciate the dynamics that each has to offer. All the same, they’re both worth checking out for heavy psych fans.
