I’m sure I’m not alone in this: Black Mountain’s sophmore album, In the Future, was one of my most anticipated albums of 2008. And as luck would have it, it’s piping in my ears right now! Their eponymous first album was an amazing collection of rough-hewn psychedelia (they call it “psych-and-prog-spiritual” in the press release). Southern grunge with extended jams and obscure lyrics: Sort of a Drive-By Truckers for the Deadhead set.

I’m thrilled to report that “In the Future” does not disappoint. “Stormy High,” the first song, is a raucous singalong that’s as good as anything off their first record. “Angels” gets a little lighter, with it’s bright falsetto. “Tyrants” is the first extended jam on the record, a nearly 8-minute opus that erupts out of a whisper-quiet opening, like Black Sabbath covering the Foo Fighters. “Stay Free” is almost pastoral, a sweet surprise on an otherwise fairly grimey album. (If it sounds familiar, that’s because it was featured on the soundtrack to Spiderman 3.)

Overall, I’m giving the album my highest recommendation. It lives up to the promise of their first record, and exceeds expectations for a follow-up. No sophmore slump here!

Check it out.

Tyrants

Stay Free