In The Pines

Slow Blink

Retro themed psychedelic rock isn't the most original idea anymore, especially post the onset of the previous decade. There's quite a bit of influence apparent here and there on this album. and it isn't as interesting as the other albums I reviewed today.

Despite wearing their influences on their back, the instrumentation is surprisingly well put together. However, the vocals don't push the same agenda of charisma that the production does, making him sound lethargically mixed and often cut ... read more

Pretty Great Psychedelic Rock from the Cincinnati band In the Pines. A fun collection of mixed pace and mixed length rock songs, some harder and more abrasive and some are sweet and contemplative like ‘Mirage’. The ultimate test of being a great artist is being able to produce a song that’s just shy of 10 minutes and have it go as hard as ‘Naked Eye’ does the whole way through.

Best Songs - Naked Eye, Reborn, Mirage
Worst Songs - n/a

I mean, if what you're looking for is a groundbreaking album... you will not find one here. However, I'd definitely check this one out if you're just looking for some fun, well-produced psych rock. Each track has a solid progression and payoff to it, and it certainly kept me interested throughout its entire runtime. In the Pines definitely wear their influences on their sleeve, though, listening to a track like Naked Eye that is so obviously an ode to Head On/Pill from King Gizzard (this is not ... read more

/original rating - 65/
Does the psych-rock genre have the same wow effect as it had in the 20th century? No.
Did In The Pines reinvent the wheel with this record? They certainly did not.
Is Slow Blink a groundbreaking, perfect, or revolutionary album? Absolutely not.
But is it insanely well put together, shockingly interesting, nicely produced, and overall great project? Yes, yes, yes, and hell yes. After approx. twelve listens that I gave this album since its release, I finally started to ... read more