Brian Jonestown Massacre - We Are the Radio

Brian Jonestown Massacre has had an impressive string of above average albums, with "Give it Back" and "Strung Out In Heaven" among their best. And while they've never had a bona fide breakthrough hit, on record they've repeatedly proved their worth.

Lazy critics have tended to overlook the band's music, choosing to focus on bandleader Anton Newcombe's off-and on-stage personality and the band's unpredictable live shows which range from the utterly brilliant to the terribly disastrous. And those who've only been exposed to BJM via the documentary, "Dig," are getting a rather skewed view of what the band's music actually sounds like, which is what really matters if you ask me.

The key point is that the band is responsible for creating a legacy of unabashed and emotionally charged rock and roll that is forward thinking and vital, while paying homage to the psychedelic folky sounds of bands such as The Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers.

BJM's latest offering is "We Are the Radio," a five-track mini-album that presumably is a teaser to their next full-length. Newcombe, who has been known to take many an up-and-coming artist under his wing (ex-BJM members have gone on to form bands such as the inexplicably overrated Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Warlocks.)

Here he introduces Sarabeth Tuceck, a newcomer to the BJM fold whose droney and subdued vocal style (reminiscent of Opal's Kendra Smith), compliments the band's continued foray into quasi-psych pop sounds.

Key tracks include "God is My Girlfriend" which has an epic and urgent druggy feel to it and "Never Become Emotionally Attached to Man, Woman, Beast or Child," an upbeat track that exudes a somber '60s psych vibe.

Listen to stream of "God is My Girlfriend" at Tee Pee Records

MP3: BJM - "Never Become Emotionally Attached to Man, Woman, Beast or Child"

While this stopgap CD isn't likely to win the group any new fans, it is a decent enough holdover until the band unleashes its next proper record, which can't come soon enough.

There are plenty of MP3s over at brianjonestownmassacre.com.

Check out the Brian Jonestown Massacre discography at cduniverse.com