Releases from High Times Records are usually devoted in some part to the glorification of marijuana, and in that respect this collection is no different. But it moves away from the label's hip-hop-heavy release schedule to focus on the crackle and sludge of the stoner rock underground. Besides weed, overdriven human torch guitars and
Bon Scott tribute vocals are the touchstones for
High Volume: The Stoner Rock Collection, with
Unida ("Left Us to Mold"),
Bad Wizard ("So Bad"), and
Clutch (their tribute to the famously stoned Redheaded Stranger "Willie Nelson") leading the pack. Other standouts include some awesomely heavy material from
High on Fire and
Corrosion of Conformity, the acid rock boogie of Mystic Krewe of Clearlight's "Ride Out," and swirling, loud stuff from bands associated with Long Island's Music Cartel label (
Orange Goblin, Sea of Green). ~ Johnny Loftus