Darker My Love

Darker My Love

2

[4/5]

There are no hidden touchstones on the aptly titled second full-length from California-based dream weavers Darker My Love. With a lineup including ex-Nerve Agents Tim Presley (guitar/vocals) and Andy Granelli (drums, also formerly of the Distillers), the quintet sublimate all kinds of lush psych rock and anthemic Britpop, dropping kaleidoscopic hints of everything from Supergrass (notably “Two Ways Out”), Dead Meadow and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (especially “Pale Sun”) to the Beta Band, Doves and My Bloody Valentine. But DML are so much more than just a shoegazing, neo-paisley sum of their tastefully chosen influences. The ultimate proof of the band’s empyreal transcendence comes in the form of the monster psych anthem “Talking Words,” an inexplicably deep cut (track 10 of 11) that simultaneously howls for lysergic sunshine, a major-label contract and-most importantly-the repeat button. (DANGERBIRD) J. Bennett

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