UNCLE ACID & THE DEADBEATS: Volume 1

UNCLE ACID & THE DEADBEATS
Volume 1

RISE ABOVE

8/10

ACID ROCK ‘N’ ROLL: Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats came up through the underground slowly, but over time ended up earning tons of commercial and critical acclaim for its modern day take on the fuzzed out acid rock of the 60s and 70s. It’s the band’s current profile that has enabled this reissue to see the light of day, as Volume 1 was its debut release from 2010, a time when today’s occult doom movement was beginning to find its legs. Some collections of early material can be disappointing in hindsight, but the material here on Volume 1 has held up surprisingly well and sounds just as fresh as it did nearly a decade ago. Sure, the production is a bit more muffled ‘n’ muddy, but the vibe could perhaps be compared to a dirty and scratched film print of an old exploitation movie —it’s raw, but with tons of atmosphere. Uncle Acid’s high pitched, slightly falsetto vocals will always be an acquired taste, but they definitely fit the mood and vibe of the record. The songs themselves lurch with the heavy, progressive riffing found on vintage albums from bands like Atomic Rooster or Bloodrock, here presented with a coat of paint fresh enough to appeal to hipsters and true doom fans alike. So, if you’re a new convert to Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, consider Volume 1 to be a slice of welcome history for the ears. ~ George Pacheco