Brooklyn continues to be the most receptive area for what is surely now a full blown emerging spaced out, jam heavy psych rock movement. No better venue represents this than Death By Audio, where Ancient Sky had their record release party on Friday January 27th. Celebrating the release of their latest collection of songs, the band played through nearly all of "T.R.I.P.S." in front of an enthusiastic audience that filled the room. Far from simple feedback and drone practitioners, this band constructs mostly tight, well-defined songs that also focus on meaningful lyrics and interesting melodies. Dynamics play a crucial role as power and dramatic emphasis is favored over simple noise making. Within that framework, however, come delightful sonic forays of a definite jam-worthy caliber – song lengths mostly within the three to six minute range attest to that. With titles like "Towards the Light," "All Colors at Once," "Ray Bradbury," "Time is an Ocean," and "The Wind" one can quickly grasp the message being presented – and that is one of discovery and the possibilities that exist all around us. For their grande finale of the night the band pulled out all the stops with a nearly ten minute tour-de-force of textured, fx-laden guitar washes, mystical vocalizing, bass and drum propulsion and deliciously winding twin guitar soloing. It all added up to a heady mixture that kept the audience captured from first note till finish. Also performing on this night was Deli favorite EXITMUSIC, who create a solemn dreamlike atmosphere, powered by Aleksa Palladino’s captivating voice (and looks). Both bands have significant upcoming tour schedules, and have just released or will be releasing important records. – Dave Cromwell
