Northwest Noise Album Review: "Psycheclectic" by Obscured By Clouds

Portland-based art rock band Obscured By Clouds will release their first full-length album, Psycheclectic, on October 14^th of this year, appropriately just in time for Halloween. Band members William Weikart (vocals, guitars, synthesizers), Kevin Cozad (piano, synthesizers), Reinhardt Melz (drums), Ian Wengs (bass), and Matthew Bradley (guitars) maintain heavy influence by psychedelic and art rock of the 60s and 70s, particularly experimental bands like Pink Floyd.  Even the band's name, Obscured By Clouds, is a tribute to Pink Floyd's 1972 album of the same name.

The first track, “Soft Cheeked and Worried”, was my favorite song on the album, and actually starts off completely devoid of any sound save for background piano and acoustic guitar. Much like Pink Floyd’s art rock, the vocals of Weikart are slurred and dream-like, as if spoken/sang through a megaphone in an echoing empty tunnel. Combine the vocals with various electronic sound effects and synthesizers, and it becomes a brilliantly original spin on its influence.

As a fan of the musical style of the Floyd, I was surprised to find that Psycheclectic had retained many of their positive elements, and how much I liked the new originality. The tracks are all masterfully orchestrated and the talent of every member of the band is obvious. Another great example of this composition mastery is demonstrated in Track 5, “Faith’s Soul”.

On the other side, however, there were times when I felt that Psycheclectic was a bit too overwhelming with its need to out-perform Pink Floyd, yet remain noticeably original at the same time. This resulted in a repetitive, overly random mix of sound effects and guitar riffs that only could be meant to confuse the listener (most noticeable is Track 2, “Zoë Zolofft”). But there is no mistaking that Obscured By Clouds took the essence that made Pink Floyd so revolutionary and re-birthed it into a solidly innovative work of art, able to stand on its own.

As Weikart has stated in interviews, his purpose for starting the band was to enjoy the concept of the band together. The creative influences of the Floyd combined with the seamless synergy of the members of Obscured By Clouds make for a truly enjoyable experience in freeform art rock.