There may be a bunch of bands traveling the same psychedelic back roads as Salvia Plath, but Collins and company ride with style.
Like albums by other psychedelic dreamers Ariel Pink and Unknown Mortal Orchestra, ‘The Bardo Story’ sounds like a collection of rediscovered ’60s and ’70s gems uploaded to YouTube.
With a barely chuckle-worthy moniker and a psych-folk sound that matches rather than subverts its name, Salvia Plath stands precariously at the border of self-parody – which is ultimately just where Collins wants to be.
The Bardo Story is a messy album, riddled with a looseness that's either there on purpose or happens to be the consequence of Collins' admittedly limited skills.
I'm honestly surprised that this record has recieved little to no love. It may not be the cleanest record, but the highlights on this record are some of my favorite cuts of anything Michael Collins (Drugdealer, Run DMT, Salvia Plath) has released. Tracks like 'This American Life' and 'Hidden Track' are in almost constant rotation in my playlists. There are definitely lulls in this record, but I find myself coming back often.
Fav Tracks: Intro, This American Life, Hidden Track
Worst Tracks: ... read more