THE COSMIC RANGE

With so many acts flogging the familiar, tired mélange of tropes pilfered from various underground-rock sources of yore, it’s difficult to find any new music coming from that general orbit. But Matt “Doc” Dunn’s The Cosmic Range is one of the rare shining examples.   The primary thing that sets the band apart is the diversity of musical resources its draws on—both stylistically and from its members. Its skeleton is undeniably psych, but its flesh and musical nervous system consist of something else altogether. The rhythm section carries rock potency, but its temporal demeanour is remarkably supple and often funky. Rather than opting for strident guitar heroism, Max Turnbull (aka Slim Twig) remains decidedly textural, although still tethered to the aforementioned gyrations. Dunn’s leadership from behind the organ, piano, or vibraphone integrates seamlessly with the ensemble, only occasionally emerging organically into the foreground. And though Dunn has recruited two analog synthesists, read more...