Dino Sorbello's had a lengthy career in the world of back-to-the-future psych-rock bands, including the Black Chameleons and Laughing Sky, so it's no surprise -- and indeed a fun pleasure -- to see him keep on keeping on with
Tripwave, his next group. The band's brief but enjoyable debut sees him splitting songwriting duties for the most part with keyboardist/sitar player Danny Fastfingers, resulting in six songs that don't push the boundaries of the form but play around with the expected elements perfectly well. Starting with the phased vocals, snaky guitar, and tripped-out organ of "Psilocybe" -- and really, who could argue with that title? --
Tripwave, also featuring drummer Joe Chonto and bassist Starry Night, call up the perfect never-never land of black light projections and lava lamps. Fastfingers's two songs, "Razzled by the Dazzle" and "Back to the Stone," give his vocals a chance to contrast to Sorbello's, providing a cooler, suave take on mind-expanding lyrics (best line of his: "Better get back to the stone/Get off of the cellular phone"). A couple of songs aren't much more than pleasant, but there's usually something going on to catch the ear, like the snarling guitar breaks on "Another Sip." ~ Ned Raggett