I was recently introduced to Montreal band Elephant Stone in September at a place called The Oobleck in Birmingham, UK where a number of psychedelic American/Canadian bands were playing on the night; Elephant Stone are a band that instantly grabbed my attention with their different style and they’re not a band that are boring or generic but instead they have created music that is very intricate.
What I love about this band is the nature of their psychedelic sounds which are very unique and authentic because they mix classic Indian music in with edgy rock. Their new album ‘The Three Poisons’ is incredible and it is has the ability to relax you as some of the songs are quite subtle and slow but then you’ll get a track such as the Motherless Child (Love’s Not For War) which is raw, explosive and really sets the bar for a quality album.
My first thought on the tracks All is Burning and Living for Something is how much vocalist Rishi Dhir sounds like John Lennon in particular on Lennon’s ‘Beautiful Boy’; if you didn’t know you’d probably think it was him. There are also a lot of different themes and sounds that are present in their music which range from dark and mysterious, worldly, groovy, trippy and even supernatural. Listening to The Three Poisons makes you feel as though you’ve gone back in time to the 1960s and hippie era because of their retro and dynamic genre.
Highlights off the album for me include Motherless Child (Love’s Not For War), Knock You From Yr Mountain, All Is Burning, Living for Something, and The Three Poisons. I wish that Intermediate State was a bit longer though because it feels like it abruptly cuts off instead of slowly fading out.
If you haven’t already, go and check The Three Poisons because you will not be disappointed and it’s an album that captures and conveys a lot of emotions as it did with me. Also if you get the chance go to one of their live shows because they’re worth seeing! If you love psychedelic rock and music you’ll love Elephant Stone.
The Three Poisons is due for release October 27th via Hidden Pony Records. Elephant Stone play La Vitrola in Montreal on November 22nd.
Album review: Katie Grimason
Photos – Steve Gerrard
Share this :
