Over four albums, Six Organs of Admittance (Northern Cali musician Ben Chasny’s solo project) has emerged as a primal force in the burgeoning psychedelic-folk movement (sensationally documented as the “New Weird America” in the August issue of UK highbrow mag The Wire). Using acoustic and electric guitars, hand percussion, bells, and electronics, Chasny (who also plays in Comets on Fire) evokes medieval Britain’s misty moors while eluding corny J.R.R. Tolkien associations. What lifts his songs out of the unbearable fairyland frolicsomeness that occasionally mars the work of T. Rex and Donovan (two big influences here) is Chasny’s dedication to the hypnotic mojo of drones and ragas. Along with vocals delivered in a hushed, stoned chant, Six Organs will get you in touch with your inner Druid, pronto.
CompathÃa finds Chasny singin’ and pickin’ oxblood-hued hymns that seem plucked from an ancient collective consciousness. His enchanting, serpentine melodies express awe over natural beauty with equally stunning strumming. Listening to this record is like going through a purification ritual: It purges you of the digital toxins pouring out of nearly every device around us. Hallelujah.
