Australian neo-psych outfit
the Babe Rainbow first introduced themselves in 2015 with a sprinkling of cheery nuggets like "Ashmay & Dr. Love Wisdom" and "Secret Enchanted Broccoli Forest." The trio's affable take on cosmic
Donovan-inspired flower pop won them a contract with
Danger Mouse's 30th Century Records imprint, which offers up this eponymous full-length debut. Natives of the coastal surfing town of Byron Bay, New South Wales,
the Babe Rainbow comprise singer/drummer Angus Dowling, guitarist Jack "Cool-Breeze" Crowther, and bassist Lu-Lu-Felix Domingo, who collectively espouse the sunny peaceful vibes of late-'60s California in their music and imagery while folding in elements of modern psych and electronic experimentation. Recorded in their hometown by
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard frontman
Stu Mackenzie, the LP is a generally lighthearted affair, though
the Babes are no slouches in terms of craftsmanship. Layered throughout with spry riffs, jazzy instrumentation, and attractive grooves, the record comes across as more of a vibe generator than a dazzling display of songwriting. While standouts like "Losing Something" and "Survival in the 21st Century" offer more thoughtful pop missives, the bulk of the album is concerned with fun grooves and textures. As nice as they sound, tracks like "Monkey Disco," "Sunflower Sutra," and "Cosmic Now" are pretty standard psychedelic dance exercises that don't lend a lot of depth to this collection, and their ilk seems to make up the bulk of the content. Still,
the Babe Rainbow offer an affable, good-time set that doesn't ask a lot of the listener, and that's not always a bad thing. ~ Timothy Monger