KADABRA: UMBRA

New Kadabra

Kadabra's Bean King was one of my top 10 favorite tunes in 2021, and now they're back with another full length release.  I'm still getting to know this album, but here's a video for one of my early favorites.

I'll be listening to this during the week and you may hear more from me about this album. 

Kadabra are from Spokane, Washington.  

They are (L-R):

Ian Nelson: Bass

Garrett Zanol: Guitar & Vocals

Chase Howard: Drums

Until next time!

2021 Top Twenty Stoner Rock Albums (#20-11)

Each tune is one I've never posted or included in a playlist.  
Since these are the best albums of the year, they're deep enough that I don't need to 
re-post in order to make a classic playlist:

          

#20: "Coffin Face" by Table Scraps

Monster Magnet introduced me to this great band by covering one of their songs, "Motorcycle (Straight To Hell)".  Now Table Scraps has a new album, and it's got lots of great catchy tracks.  The song I've included here has a real Baby Woodrose feel.

#19: "Paralyzed" by Paralyzed

Great debut album that sneaks up on you and gets better with each listen.  Really strong vocals and guitar.    

#18:  "Devil's Bridge" by Dope Smoker

Dope Smoker sticks with their formula and manages to get better at it with each release.  Excessive volume will help you to understand what this is all about.
   

#17:  "Stoners Rule" by Stöner 

Brant Bjork keeps on making timeless stoner rock.  Another must-have album from one of rock's most legendary musicians

#16: "The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy" by Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie has carved out his own niche in rock music, and has surpassed everything he did with White Zombie.  This incarnation of the band is elite, and the new album is longer than the last one

         

#15: "Memento Mori, Motherfucker" by Stone Cadaver 

          
Brutal heavy rock music, mixed to perfection.  Great album.

#14:  "Ultra" by Kadabra        

Great sound and great songwriting.  Don't know if they're sick of being compared to Asteroid, but they will definitely appeal to a similar audience

        

#13:  "False Dawn" by Spacelord

Spacelord only puts out great albums with great replayability

#12:  "Fractal Altar" by Snail

Snail takes their time between releases, but when they put out new music, it's a guarantee that you'll get a few songs that are among the year's best, and Fractal Altar is no exception

#11:  "Volume III" by Pseudo Mind Hive

I always leave albums under 30 minutes off my best albums lists, but Volume III really feels longer than that, in a good way.  All four tracks are must-owns for true fans of heavy psychedelic rock; a real masterpiece that deserves recognition

#10 through #1 on New Year's Eve!
ULTRA  

 

TOP TEN TUNES OF 2021

These are my choices for top ten underground rock tunes of 2021, in no particular order, with the exception that I like to finish my top ten tunes lists with my number one track.  I like the way this playlist flows, and hope you do too.  Volume recommended.

Track List:

10)    "Bean King" by Kadabra: One of the catchiest songs on an album that will remind you of Asteroid and Colour Haze, among others

9)    "Not Fragile/Free Wheelin'" by Clouds Taste Satanic: Not written this year, but this 2021 medley of two BTO classics is definitely one of the best tracks released this year

8)    "Bouncing Rick" by Melvins: There are several tunes on this album that are worthy of the year's top ten list, but I chose this one

7)    "Edge of Glory" by Dirty Pagans: It's got a vibe of the most aggressive 1980's metal, and is relentless and triumphant

6)    "Death That Never Dies" by Dunbarrow: Dunbarrow has taken what the band Witchcraft started, and ascended to the next level.  Every tune on this album is great, but this is my favorite

5)    "Siren Song" by Jerry Cantrell: Yet another tune to get stuck in your head, from one of the greatest songwriters of our time

4)    "Mission From God" by Snail: Every Snail album so far has been good for a top ten song of the year, and that tradition continues

3)    "Teardrinker" by Mastodon: I have changed my favorite from this album a few times and may do so again, but at least one of them belongs on this list

2)    "Burning" by King Buffalo: King Buffalo has really turned a corner and taken their songwriting to the next level; This tune is a prime example

1)    "Fill My Mouth" by Goat: There was never any doubt that this would be my favorite track of the year, from the first time I heard it.  Friends with varied musical tastes have told me they like this one.

Coming soon:  top 20 albums of the year, in two installments.

 

KADABRA: ULTRA

That's right.  The coolest possible album title*, with possibly the best tune of the year so far.  It's got a stupid name (Bean King) and a gratuitous video, but this is really a grand slam home run of a tune.  Hear for yourself:

How's the rest of this album?

Great tune after great tune.  Kadabra reminds me of early Asteroid combined with some Dead Meadow and modern production.  Another great find by Gabriele Fiori for Heavy Psych Sounds Records.

Here's another great tune called "Faded Black".  Totally badass:

Kadabra are from Spokane, Washington (**) and are:

• Garrett Zanol: Guitar / Vocals
• Ian Nelson: Bass 
• Chase Howard: Drums 

"Ultra is one of my favorite purchases of the year" 

-ULTRA

(*) clearly named after me

(**) Bobbi the house painter, you are remembered

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