Tepid Peppermint Wonderland: A Retrospective

At two discs and 38 songs, TEPID PEPPERMINT WONDERLAND is a generous, sprawling retrospective of the Brian Jonestown Massacre's hazy indie aesthetic. Despite a continually rotating personnel since its founding in 1994 (leader Anton Newcombe is the only constant), the band's sound is surprisingly consistent. Drawing from Jefferson Airplane, the Velvet Underground, and NUGGETS-era garage psychedelia, the Brian Jonestown Massacre celebrates the sonic possibilities of higher consciousness in classic bad-boy style. An odd-yet-representative assortment, this set brings together choice album cuts, singles, live radio spots, and previously unreleased tracks.
From the slinky Middle Eastern vibe of "Anenome" to the Everly Brothers-on-chemicals pop of "It Girl" through the proto-punk of "Oh Lord" and the ethereal ballad "Starcleaner," WONDERLAND is a roiling wash of grungy and shimmering electric guitars, folky acoustic moments, grinding rock rhythms, and starry-eyed hippie ideals. With the exception of nods to shoegazer bands like My Bloody Valentine, the Brian Jonestown Massacre sounds like it stepped straight out of 1968. But this is not a bad thing. At its best--and there are many examples in this excellent package--the BJM wrings the truly sacred out of the dirty materials of rock & roll.