A Panegyric to the Things I Do Not Understand

The latest from East Coast psych-rock heavyweights Magik Markers. 'In spite of their punk roots, the Markers' form tends toward extended breakdowns: this disc is divided into two 'sides'--two long tracks--the first running to 19:41, and the other is 19:38. No rules is the rule here. For instance, dig the near-a capella section on the first 'side'--whistlin', odd voices, clappin', just an occasional rattle or beep--very casual and simple but mesmerizing. Then there's the part on the second 'side' where it sounds like everything is moving in outta-focus slow-mo, like after you've drank waytoomuch cough syrup (DXM)--'n yr legs 've turned t' melted, oooozing plastic. But my favorite part (swoon!) is when Elisa begins an erotic gutter-cat rant: 'I'm your ramblin' rose...I'm your Sister Anne,' obvious references to the MC5. Imagine THAT band jammin' with Yoko Ono--and yer about halfway to here. Elisa raves against the torrent of Quimby's roaring feedback and Nolan's exploding skins in an intuitive way that recalls Patti Smith's lost-in-the-whirlpool moments and/or Damo Suzuki's most tongue-driven gestures with Can. Whew.'--Eddie Flowers