DEAD MEADOW "s/t" [ Tolotta, Box 4412, Arlington VA 22204: www.tolotta.com ]

Every now and then you actually can judge a record by its cover and this debut from DC area heavy psyche outfit Dead Meadow is one such release. With a very tripped out animated cover that depicts castles, fallen angels, mystic shamen and well, open meadows, the band sets the stage for what obviously could be a very moving excursion. Fortunately the music contained within matches the cover's visual description.

A powertrio by nature, the band heads off into a Sleep / Spirit Caravan direction with warm, fuzzed out guitar riffs and a rock solid drummer laying out a fantastic back beat to help propel the songs forward. Vocally the band isn't near as gruff as most bands playing this type of music; infact, guitarist's Jason Simon's vocals are much higher register than almost every other fuzz rock band I have ever heard - a welcome change for sure.