Psychic MInd - Penrose Stare

Psychic Mind

Penrose Stare
self-released; 2015

3.3 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Psychic Mind is a three-piece band comprised of Matt Stein (vocals/guitar), Ron Dore (vocals/bass) and Nick Stein  (drums) that has been around for a little more than half a year. Penrose Stare is their self-recorded album that the band tried recording in their rehearsal space. 

I’ll get the bad stuff out of the way first, which all has to do with the recording quality. It sounds like they put up a mic or two and just hit record. The recording quality is equal to or below that of a demo. Not much separation along with a boatload of other issues is present in the recordings. The truth is I would have loved to hear these songs, really hear them. Even a 25% increase would have greatly assisted the solid songwriting that lays hidden underneath to shine through.

The music itself is pretty impressive. They play a mix of psych and prog rock that tips its hat to everything from Jimi Hendrix to Queens Of The Stone Age. The band is pretty tight and I’m sure that I can tell you these songs would sound great live. Stein is a good, solid vocalist with a nice range and a tone that is conducive the vibe of the music. 

The first song “Dying Sun” sounds like it could be a Jimi Hendrix B-side before the vocals come on. Once the vocals come in Stein soars in a way that reminded me of Robin Pecknold from Fleet Foxes. He sings, “Bombs away It's a righteous day We're fired up And with your lives we will play.”

“Invisible” is a solid song with decent vocal harmonies, crunchy guitar and hard hitting drums while “Empty Threat” has a punk rock vibe that sounded good on the band.

 Something I have been noticing more and more lately since all you need are a couple of mics and a laptop to record is that bands are rushing to release their material. I get it. You are excited and want the world to hear it but some restraint might be considered till you can either get someone with more knowledge in the studio to assist or you save up your pennies for studio time.  As the saying goes you never get a second chance to make a first impression. 

Penrose Stare has some good songs but they are going to go largely unnoticed because of the recording quality. Psychic Mind has a good amount of potential and with only six months as a band under their belt I’m excited to hear what’s next. Hopefully, people will recognize their talent and the band will return with some polished material.

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