I have had the pleasure of catching this band live on numerous occasions, and I have followed them from their first humble beginnings, so I am rather excited about this new full length album release by this doomed, stoned, tripped out trio from St Albans, England.

Taking the bull by the horns, opener ‘Going Home’ takes all the desert rock principles and applies them with a good level of quality control. Vocally it’s a little crisper, Pete Holland has worked on his approach, there is much more clarity, and the results sound impressive. ‘I Want Another Drink’ sounds like the Trippy Wicked I would expect, the sound is brutally heavy with much low end rumble, whilst in other quarters of the same track they manage to give the listener light and shade with clever integration of acoustic guitar parts that result in a strong atmosphere. Every now and again during this track you also hear a tuba, yes, I said a tuba, not known for its regular inclusion in this music scene and style, it is very fitting, this just shows the level of creativity that Trippy Wicked possess. Of course, if you have their last EP ‘Acoustic Sessions’ then you would know that this is a cool feature in this bands arsenal, even watching some of their you tube moments displays this variation and ballsy approach to include such non-standard arrangements and musical instruments into the music world.

A little humour always goes hand in hand with this band; ‘Hillbilly Moonshine’ is a great example. Whilst it may be tongue in cheek, the sound is refreshing, stable and entertaining. As I listen, I am certainly fully attentive, I want to hear what this trio does next, and that is a mark is a special album, I don’t feel complacent as I can be with one dimensional tribute acts floating around in this genre, I actually feel a little bit of pride knowing that these chaps have hit the nail on the head when it comes to their creative process.

This is a band that is going places, and by that don’t just mean their planned touring jaunts into Holland and Germany, they really have something to add to this genre. Rather than becoming another Kyuss or Monster Magnet clone, Trippy Wicked have the musical ability and material to genre bend most peoples thoughts on what stoner and doom should be. Trippy’s greatest artistic license is this album ‘Going Home’, it sound solid, it sounds easy, it sounds great.

(7.5/10 Paul Maddison)

http://www.trippywicked.com