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Twink — Think Pink V
(Explore Rights Management ExM030, 2023, CD / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2024-02-18

Think Pink V Cover art

For the fifth installment of his Think Pink series, Twink (John Alder) is again in the company of his Star Sponge Vision bandmate Ed Sykes, and in fact, the two are the only musicians who appear on all ten tracks. Martin Young (guitar, percussion), Isaac Lock (backing vocals), and Brian Parsley (conversation) appear on one track each, but aside from that, Sykes covers essentially all the instruments, while Twink sings and plays percussion. Some of the tracks have a clear vibe of the late 60s (only with better production and a few modern keyboards), while others move the trippy sound forward in time, with sequenced synthesizers and digital effects. “Rainbow Warriors” is a great example of the latter, with its easy groove and twanging guitars. There are many references to outer space in the lyrics, and comparisons to Gong and Hawkwind aren’t out of line, though this music is never about guitar solos or riffs that go on for ages. Alder’s sensibilities are born of an era when chords and melodies were the foundation of songwriting, and lyrics could be symbolic and oblique rather than just intimately personal. The chord progressions are charmingly varied, though they never sound bizarre. George Harrison, who’s name-checked in “Rainbow Warriors,” is a clear influence on the closing track, “Revolution Now,” with its droning tambura and wandering guitar part calling “Within You Without You” to mind. It’s a great way to end an enjoyable album of psychedelic music that comes by its trippiness in a natural way rather than sounding forced or contrived like some current bands do.

Filed under: New releases, 2023 releases

Related artist(s): Twink (John Alder)

 

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