Casting Shadows shifts effortlessly between wondering spacious harmonies and fuzzed out psychedelic garage meanderings, sounding straight out of a chapter from the mid 1960's that back then may have never happened ... but who's legendary times and imagery are still so compelling they continue to take a heady toll on anyone passing too close to the rabbit hole. Here, The Black Hollies, with acid drenched lyrics that may at times feel manufactured rather than sounding revivalist, in the next breath sound instantly feel fresh, clean and forward thinking, giving gracious nods to to bands like The Seeds, Paul Revere & The Raiders, of course The Hollies, and more one hit wonders than I have time or space to mention ... while the song "Running Through My Mind" will flashback the little remembered "Mystic Eyes," by Them.
Music critic Ernest Jennings once said, "While I appreciate the remembering of another era of rock, let's not forget that The Black Hollies aren't actually living in the 1960s. It's cute, but Casting Shadows brings nothing new to the table." What Mr. Jennings fails to understand is that The Black Hollies stepped back, vanished into the past, and when they returned, they brought with them all of the best notes and conceptions, songs that ride with a greater ease, and a much greater sense of mind bending satisfaction. [Jenell Kesler]
Music critic Ernest Jennings once said, "While I appreciate the remembering of another era of rock, let's not forget that The Black Hollies aren't actually living in the 1960s. It's cute, but Casting Shadows brings nothing new to the table." What Mr. Jennings fails to understand is that The Black Hollies stepped back, vanished into the past, and when they returned, they brought with them all of the best notes and conceptions, songs that ride with a greater ease, and a much greater sense of mind bending satisfaction. [Jenell Kesler]
New Jersey band the Black Hollies, directly inspired by 60's band like the Yardbirds and Blue Cheer, have followed up their debut with an album of full on psychedelic rock, complete with groovy, mind expanding lyrics, copious sitars, occasional Farfisa organs and quavering vocals and guitars. I don't think the music on Casting Shadows will strike most listeners as being like 60's psychedelic rock, but rather that is psychedelic rock from the 60's. It's conceived, played and even produced like an album from that period, though all the tracks are original Black Hollies compositions. Once you let yourself get into the spirit of things, the songs themselves are pretty irresistible, skilfully played, unpretentious, highly danceable and just great fun to listen to, all in all. The first single, "Paisley Pattern Ground," is a definite must hear. [Amazon Customer Reviews]
Now, what time it is?!? Surfadelic is proud to present another real cool 21st century band that sounds like they came from another space & time. THE BLACK HOLLIES dig deep into the 60's garage/mod/psychedelic legacy of UK groups like The Open Mind, Factory, Pandamonium, Skip Bifferty, Kaleidoscope, Fleur De Lys, Yardbirds, Pretty Things and U.S. bands as Seeds, Standells, The Chocolate Watchband, We The People...They really cast shadows with Hot FUZZ. So, if YOU dig comps like ELECTRIC SUGARCUBE FLASHBACK, CHOCOLATE SOUP FOR DIABETICS, RUBBLE and stuff, you're gonna like this. Check 'em out!!!
