ALBUM REVIEW: Strings Of Soul – Acid’s Trip

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds isn’t only the title of a tune by THE BEATLES. Look closer and an abbreviation will be staring you in the face: LSD, otherwise known as acid. Straight outta Gothenburg, ACID’S TRIP pays homage to LSD, and their frontwoman. Hoping the trip will be one of spiritual awakening, the quartet release their debut album Strings Of Soul on May 7th.

Prelude shows real promise. The instrumental shows the foursome; Acid [guitars, vocals], Mike [guitars, vocals], Rockhard [drums], and Lucas [bass], exploring the initial mind altering trip. Distorted guitars wash over the listener, leaving spines tingling and minds fuzzy. Drawn out vocalisations of the albums title introduces the harmonious rock n’ roll of the 70s.

Titular Strings Of Soul reads like a jam session between friends. Patters of funk basslines fuse with cymbal rich drums to create a stout rhythm section. The riffs flow like plumes of smoke. Acid’s dreamy vocals sound hallucinogenic. “Don’t fear the reaper, life has just begun” kick starts a heavier phase, ACID’S TRIP coming into their stride. Acid’s vocals inject soul into heavenly harmonies. The jam session goes into full swing with a skipping solo rippling atop waves of piano melody. Strings Of Soul sweeps the listener off toward ecstatic hallucination.

Drug highs are cyclical; the high, the peter, and the inevitable come down. Unfortunately, the high of ACID’S TRIP doesn’t last long. Housed within suave solos and a devil may care attitude is the thought we’ve heard all this before. The Kiss Riff spins a threadbare yarn of a touring band looking to score after a show. While a big thing in their decade of choice, it seems a little dated. An intro which could call THE BEACH BOYS‘ discography home blooms into If Only (I Were The Only). While it sounds exciting at first, it tells the age old story of a love interest dating many partners.

High Time sees ACID’S TRIP return to form. Pounding drums dictate the feel good time groove. Pockets of full bodied vocal harmonies sooth the soul as Acid and Mike trade off vocal hooks. Time comes to a stop as the burning solo starts. A second soon joins the fray, hitting the sweet spot only 70s tones can. “It’s my time now so show me the world” Acid declares. The world is at ACID’S TRIP’s feet, but Strings Of Soul isn’t the strongest foot to be stepping into it with.

Strings Of Soul doesn’t care if you like it. The charismatic groove of Faster, Chopper, Boogie’s riffs drag the listener to the dance floor. “I feel the rhythm honey, it’s got a hold on you” entices the listener. ACID’S TRIP fills the role of the leather jacket clad enigma in the corner of the bar. Spend an evening with them and leave with the realisation the mystery can be better than reality. ACID’S TRIP has the potential to land their shot. This time though, Strings Of Soul has more filler than killer.

Rating: 5/10

Strings Of Soul is set for release on May 7th via Heavy Psych Sounds.

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