Listening to…

Thee Oh Sees, “Castlemania.” San Francisco band currently in the midst of a European tour, where their deft mix of acoustic folk and ‘60s garage will surely be enthusiastically appreciated. Personally, I’m a huge fan of what some call “twee” pop which mixes aggressive playing and whimsically lightweight vocals. I find the hyperproductive Oh Sees rather simplistic compared to gods from the same sphere, The Pastels. But they’re amiable and approachable, and that counts for a lot. When they get loose and psychedelic, it’s like Brian Jonestown Massacre in a good mood, which is a concept I thought I’d never hear. Opening tune “I Need Seed” really is a good intro to the whole disk—raw, raucous, a little rude, and a whole lot of sing-along fun.