The Psycodelics are one of my favorite new bands of the last several years and they just released their fantastic debut album, “Please Keep Off the Grass.” They bill themselves as modern Black American music and they’re all of that — funk, soul, R&B and jazz all rolled into one beautiful package. They have a sound all their own while also echoing the greats from the past like Sly and the Family Stone, Al Green, and Earth Wind and Fire.
I first caught The Psycodelics live last year at a local venue and was immediately a fan. On Jam Cruise in February, the band played two sets and, according to my informal polling, was everyone’s favorite “new” group. Their energy is electric, their playing is hard-driving and funky, the lyrics are catchy as all get out and the vocals are top-notch.
This album, with some of the songs I heard live, is familiar with excellent production values. Every song is a winner, ranging from slower “baby-making music” to funky burners. I’m looking forward to their fall tour when they’ll be back in the Atlanta area, opening for Durand Jones and the Indications. Here’s my track-by-track coverage!
Track-By-Track
Won’t Chew is a beautiful ballad with credit given to Verdine and Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire. There’s a clear connection at the bridge, which sounds like a sample of the song “Fantasy.” The vocals are rock solid with Cam Wescott in the lead and solid backing. Won’t Chew is an oronym for “won’t you,” as the question for a partner in a breakup, asking to get back together.
Fallen happens to be one of my favorites because it’s so damn funky. After a false start, the bass-led opening could be straight out of the Parliament/Funkadelic catalog. As with most of the songs on the album, the song has catchy hook lyrics, “fallen, and I can’t get up,” that will have listeners singing along right from the get-go. The persistent bass and chingy guitar are classic funk right out of the box. The false ending from a fade is another nice touch that builds to the pulsating finish.
Ooh I Wanna is another sweet ballad with a slow opener that accelerates to an upbeat 124 bpm. It features more great vocals from Cam and very bright and catchy keyboard work from Noah Jones. There’s a lot of activity in the main theme and sort of a dreamlike introduction of The Psycodelics from an announcer that fades to the closeout.
So Sweet is one of those “baby-makers,” a total seduction. Let’s just say the voice has fallen for a girl real hard but is having trouble making his case. It’s a classic, could fit into the Al Green or Marvin Gaye catalog easy. The vocals here are are superb and the key interludes are a perfect fit. Some bass licks injected for propulsive effect.
Lucky Mf means it, no need to guess! It’s all about gratitude for what he’s got. It’s certainly one of the catchiest lyrics you’d ever hear. Imagine that singalong at a show. So much swagger and then the chant behind the title line is surreal juxtaposition. The gorgeous piano solo from Noah Jones is a beautiful contrast to the main theme. Such a banger!
Sun & Moon (Mansa Musa) kicks off with ass kicking bass and jingy guitar. Mansa Musa apparently was an African king, the richest man ever?! I think I’ll defer too much depth on the meaning of the lyrics until I can do more digging. What I do know is the chorus “Sun and Moon” is catchy and funky as anything! Cam gives the bass a whoopin’ in this one. The break is straight outta PFunk’s basket. The second half rides on that bass all the way.
Hots can melt any heart – that’s for sure. It’s just so buttery, the lyrics, “I’ve got the hots…for you, yearning desire, burning like fire” so smooth. I could see Motown choreography with this song on Soul Train. This one is the hottest fire, damn, it’s such a top, top radio play hit a la Heatwave’s “Always and Together.” I went there!
Ladybug takes me in the direction of Prince. That guitar funk is classic and the hard-driving bass/drum combo is like a rocket. It’s a burner straight through, a great party tune. The soaring vocals match the energy throughout, another flamethrower.
The Psycodelics are:
Cameron ‘Caminator’ Wescott- bass/lead vocals
Sean Bing- drums/lead vocals
Noah Jones- keys/vocals
Whitt Burn- guitar/vocals
Jim Rubush- guitar/vocals
Chris Barnwell- percussion/electronics
Buy on Amazon
Stream on Tidal or Spotify