While their self-titled debut liberally tolerated lengthy periods of inconsequential mind-battering jams and distortion-riddled feedback--before finally melting comfortably into stoned-out bliss--For the Season exorcizes these demons, delivering more vigilant, structured songwriting. The screeching fuzz guitars, squalling sax, chanted vocals and church-like organs are still evident, but are now utilized more cohesively.
For example, on the organ-pumping, gospel/R&B-tainted vibe of "Down With Jesus," punctuated with joyous hand-clapping and warped lead guitar, Ashley rises from a mushroom-clouded pulpit like a hellfire preacher overseeing an orchestral, choir-abetted pairing of Velvet Underground and a corrupted Jars of Clay. Album centerpiece "Year Zero" is a monumental freeform jamming experience in classic Funkadelic-meets-Pink Floyd expressionism, beginning safely, transforming into noisy wall-of guitars and keyboard implosions, and finally trailing off in otherworldly tangents summoned forth by Ashley's psychotic reactions.
