With so many bands vying for space at the top table in all genres, it’s sometimes difficult to pick the right band to listen to. In the stoner sphere, the trio coming out of Kingston, NY known as Geezer must soon be in with a good shout for a seat next to the likes of Clutch, Orange Goblin and Corrosion of Conformity, such is the quality in their latest album. It’s also worth making it clear that Geezer isn’t anything to do with the Black Sabbath bassist or his solo project carrying the monikers G/Z/R, Geezer and GZR.
Geezer formed in 2013 and have released five albums, the most recent being Groovy in 2020. The band, Pat Harrington – guitar & vocals, Richie Touseull – bass and Steve Markota – drums & percussion, make no bones about their music. It’s thick with heavy riffs, sludgy, crusted stoner vibes and some melodious themes that surge through the whole band.
Stoned Blues Machine is a feel-good album, combining more of their hard rocking music with a space rock feel that pulses through the album like a live current. Opening with “Atomic Moronic,” you’re immediately met with riff after riff, something that unsurprisingly doesn’t alter throughout the release. “Logan’s Run” brings an infectious groove that you’ll be humming for days, the combination of Markota’s laid-back drumming, Touseull’s pumping bass and Harrington’s gravel-soaked vocal delivery making it irresistible.
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There’s plenty more than your normal down-tuned fuzz here. Geezer is comfortable with space jams, sonic excursions and trippy compositions that linger deliciously. It’s impossible not to nod the head or tap the foot as the album motors along, and live, I’d wager you’d be immersed in a deep sway with the hypnotic flavours that this album is coated in.
The pace varies, with the upper tempo of the opening duo balanced by a slower groove on “A Cold Black Heart.” Geezer make it sound easy, relaxed, and generally radiate a casual feel. The title track dips deep, dragging out a bluesy chilled approach that retains all the dirt you’d want, a semi-Sabbath stomp drifting in and out.
There’s a solid consistency about Stoned Blues Machine. All the tracks are compelling, riff heavy and catchy. The musicianship is tight, with tracks like “Eleven” with its Iggy strut particularly catching the ear. Closing with the seven-minute psychedelic bounce of “The Diamond Rain of Saturn” which unavoidably draws on the Hawkwind influences in its meandering closing.
Stoned Blues Machine is a real enjoyable journey that flips between drivingly heavy hard rock and gentle ages in one perfectly enhanced package. 42 minutes very well spent.
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Stoned Blues Machine is out on May 20th
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