Triptides - "Alter Echoes"

The origin story of Triptides begins in Bloomington, Indiana, and it continues in the music mecca of Los Angeles, where frontman Glenn Brigman set down roots about six years ago. It’s a setting more suited for the project’s sun-drenched brand of psychedelia, and while the band has come a long way since their early days in the Midwest, they’ve also evolved significantly since first arriving on the west coast. They’ve slowly shed some layers of reverberated haze in their sound, scaled down from a four-piece to a power trio, and graduated from operating as primarily a home recording unit to a full-fledged studio outfit. Their new record, Alter Echoes, was recorded at Hollywood’s Boulevard Studios and carries some of the crisp hallmarks of the legendary acts that came before them, showcasing their sonic maturity and continued forward progress, while still retaining the characteristics that make Triptides stand out from a crowded field of psychedelic acts. 

Though Triptides are entering a new phase as a trio and recording in a more traditional setting, frontman Glenn Brigman continues to flex his keen pop muscles on Alter Echoes. His ability to craft pristine melodies within the realm of psychedelia is what makes the band’s sound quite palatable - never venturing too far out into the heavy and overwhelming super-fuzz that some of their peers lean on. It’s an approach that reminds me of Andy Partridge’s inviting style of songwriting during the mid to late 1980s with XTC and the band’s psychedelic alter egos, The Dukes of Stratosphere. The songs are smooth, bright, and pleasing, without any overdriven guitar fluff to distract from its strong melodic foundation. The band does enter spacier territory on songs like the gorgeous “Moonlight Reflection” and the ethereal “Elemental Chemistry,” but it’s in a manner that feels serene rather than overbearing. And of course, they deliver plenty of the kind of ringing guitar jangle that’d make their Laurel Canyon forefathers proud, particularly on the triple threat of “It Won’t Hurt You,” “Do You Ever Wonder?,” and “Let It Go,” which provide the meat of the record’s A-side. Other highlights include the kaleidoscopic “Shining,” a song adorned with heart-melting harmonies, and my personal favorite, “Having A Laugh,” which is driven by Brigman’s bouncy and bright organ playing.

You can purchase Alter Echoes on limited edition vinyl via Alive Records. The albums is also available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal. Keep up with the band by following them on Instagram and liking them on Facebook. Stay tuned, as Glenn Brigman is next week’s guest on the Look At My Records! podcast!