Western Extra

If you’ve got a keen eye and a generous heart, you may have encountered Western Extra among the ranks of the recent tribute to Relatively Clean Rivers I put together in March. The band lent their pre-album itch to “Bablylon,” one of the most overtly psychedelic pieces in the band’s ourvre. I had some early inklings of their debut taking shape, but the full release is even more engrossing than early descriptions had painted them. Bringing together longtime RSTB favorites Donovan Quinn (Skygreen Leopards, New Bums) and Chris Rose (Vampire Hands, Web of Sunsets), the band finds its niche in the pop discomfort between psych, New Wave, and folk. The band admittedly tosses Royal Trux and the societal malaise of The Kinks into the same bag, but the band scoops a few tricks out The Soft Boys bucket as well, with just a slight whiff of the Jacobites vapors that trailed Donovan in New Bums.

Influences and anchor points aside, the album is another killer from Quinn, who’s long been a constant favorite around here, and a nice dip into the damage from Rose for the unfamiliar. A record of awakening, speckled with characters ripped on reluctance, the record shifts in kaleidoscope shades; damaged and dirty one minute, delicate and demure the next. The shifts and shutters feel natural in the hands of Quinn and Rose, two seasoned songwriters who’ve spent years channeling delirium into fractured decadence. Taking on many coats and costumes, their patchwork protagonists have spent their days peeking around corners, but with a sigh and a sip they take their place under the bright lights for a change. Beautifully blighted and blissfully unconcerned with trends, Zig Zags on the Book of Changes is the kind of letterpress treasure that doesn’t come along that often.

Support the artist. Buy it HERE.