Dream Evokers

Nobody & Mystic Chords of Memory - Decisions, Decisions - Tree Colored See (Mush 2006)


Of Montreal - Lysergic Bliss - Satanic Panic in the Attic (Polyvinyl 2004)


All Night Radio - Sky Bicycle (You've Been Ringing) - Stereo Spirit Frequency (Sub Pop 2004)


It’s hot here in Chicago. It’s very, very hot. Unbearably hot, and I don’t have air conditioning. While I can’t be completely sure, I’m pretty sure the heat is fucking with me at night and I am having extremely ridiculous, vivid dreams. This is really nothing new, because my imagination seems to be pretty active and my dreams are entertaining to say the least; but rarely am I having 6 of these a night, which is exactly what’s happening. According to most theories, we have dozens of dreams a night, but remember only the ones that occur immediately before we awake. So the fact that I wake up every two hours in a pool of sweat (from the heat not the dreams) has got to be the reason for my nightly metaphysical playhouse. I can’t really complain though because the majority of the time I wake up laughing or shaking my head at the ridiculousness my imagination just unleashed on me. I have made it a habit lately of listening to a variety of pop and psychedelic music before I go to sleep to instigate this further and have had a significant amount of success, so I’ll give you a head’s up on what I have been using. A long, uninterrupted night of dreamless sleep is pretty appealing at this point, but with out a.c. I’m stuck eagerly awaiting the crisp, cool fall.

Nobody & Mystic Chords of Memory – Tree Colored See / Mush

As far as collaborations are concerned, the pairing of Elvin Estella aka Nobody, beat-driven psychedelia producer/DJ and typical Guillermo Scott Herren (Prefuse 73) touring mate/collaborator, and Mystic Chords of Memory, bedroom indie-pop duo, Chris Gunst (Beachwood Sparks) and Jen Cohen (the Aislers Set), is about intriguing as it gets. As their repertoires predict, the resulting sound is a mix of late 60s psychedelia, subtle, fractured beats, sunny folk-rock and hushed bedroom pop… what else could you ask for? Nobody paints colorful backdrops using his steady drum patterns and hazy samples while Gunst and Cohen add their respected musicianship and wistful vocals. The album is sure to swivel, bob or relax the heads of stoners, indie-hoppers and hipsters alike.

Of Montreal – Satanic Panic in the Attic / Polyvinyl

Kevin Barnes may make the most whimsical and fun-loving pop music today. The main man behind Athens, GA’s Of Montreal writes schizophrenic and freewheeling psychedelic pop songs with his band of merry men (and women) with ambitious and appreciation for everything sunshine pop can be. A product of Elephant 6’s second wave, Barnes hit his stride with Satanic Panic in the Attic, crafting infectious chamber-psych that reaches with great effort at each and every moment. Just about every song is a burst of effervescing colors and melodies that mirror Roman candle explosions. He is able to span numerous genres ranging from Afro-pop to acoustic singer/songwriter with ease and precision, but in a manner of cohesiveness. If listening to this album doesn’t evoke smiles or whimsical daydreams, then you have no soul.

All Night Radio – Spirit Stereo Frequency / Sub Pop

The appropriately named (especially for this topic) duo of former Beachwood Sparks members Dave Scher and Jimi Hey concoct maybe the best late-night music in the current psych-pop scene. Their shape-shifting sound shuffles in and out of songs with the use of seemingly archaic recording equipment and effects along with a trunkload of springy instruments. Scher and Hey’s pop sensibilities often prevail even in the more noisy section of the album, evoking acid dream backlashes, stupefied smiles and unrhythmic hippy dancing. Overall, it is an incredibly rewarding listen that should only be experienced in the dead of night; extraneous drugs are not required, but are recommended.