The Dream Syndicate
These Times

Bought this morning; I didn't even make it to the end of the first listen. So eager was I to review the new one from the "Syndacato".

So I immediately set to work with my usual impromptu reviews, without thinking too much, without over-analyzing how and what to put down in writing. Because I have a great fondness for Steve Wynn and his prodigious band; this has been the case since their first unforgettable works of the eighties.

And as far as I'm concerned, you can always trust the Dream Syndicate.

Top marks, a mandatory five stars. These Times is an album that leans on an important guitar sound, overflowing at times in almost all the tracks. There are a total of ten songs for a runtime reaching forty minutes: no need for pieces that go too long in duration.

The guys do everything in-house, now ex but with an energy that would make new generations envious: they self-produce, relying on their trusty friend (allow me the play on words...) John Agnello. There's Steve accompanied by Mark, Dennis, Jason, and Chris. You also sense a massive presence of backing vocals entrusted to the crystalline voice of Linda Pitmon, Steve's partner for a few years.

A solid, richly loaded Psychedelic Rock, dense with the clatter of two six strings. With the well-oiled rhythm section that supports the resulting sound.

It kicks off magnificently with the barely three minutes of The Way In and the equally searing Put Some Miles On. A dive into the past, looking back at the legendary days of wine and roses. Sharp guitar riffs; the most acidic notes flow from the hands of Steve and Jason and from their respective instruments. Cascades of electricity, endless feedback, distortion at full tilt, and the first two tracks fly by in an instant; chills from the get-go.

It continues with Black Light where Chris's keyboards weave a repetitive sound of few notes: a hypnotic ballad with dark, dramatic tones. And that unmistakable voice of Steve that seduces, pierces, conquers me once again!!! The inevitable chills continue over my weary body. The sweet, enchanting Bullet Holes that recalls the best works of solo Steve: pure wonder.

My personal masterpiece of the album comes with the following Still Here Now: and here I swear I'm almost in tears from such beauty. That's just how I am...Music, certain Music has this power over me. That rise, that increase in intensity over the four-minute duration; and it's always the guitars freeing themselves from all constraints, traveling freely, building a sound wall that takes my breath away. It immediately enters among the absolute gems written by Mr. Wynn.

I still highlight the auditory earthquake of Speedway: another scarce three minutes that scratch, that mark the skin of the listener; I need nothing more today.

Thank you for existing Steve!!

Ad Maiora.