The Carolers' Song

Album review

The Green Pajamas have been churning out soft psych sounds with an uncanny melodic bent since 1984, and this album finds them still firmly atop their muse. The Seattle group locates their roots in Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd, Revolver-era Beatles, and Their Satanic Majesties Request-era Rolling Stones; nevertheless, the Green Pajamas avoid the emotionless irony and willful weirdness seen so often in this genre of music. The Carolers' Song explores the myths and ephemera of the holiday season, finding its strength in pop solidity. The release kicks off with the melodic euphoria of the title track ("Come along a-caroling with us/Sing a song of love that wishes/Everyone a wonderful Christmas day!"), and winding through seven tracks of earthy, pastoral psychedelia. "Felicity Cross" is a solid, snaking rocker with hints of the Velvet Underground, while the vaguely trippy "Night Boat to Gondol" features ominous organ and psyched-out guitar leads winding their way through the piece. This album was originally released solely to the Green Pajamas' fan club before finding wider distribution through Hidden Agenda.

© Erik Hage /TiVo