By Donzig
Paisley Underground veterans The Dream Syndicate, led by vocalist/rhythm guitarist and chief songwriter Steve Wynn, have had a productive year in 2022, and we're only halfway through. January saw a deluxe reissue of the band's 1986 album, Out of the Grey (here is a review of What Can I Say? No Regrets... Out Of The Grey + Live, Demos & Outtakes and background on the history of The Dream Syndicate and the Paisely Underground movement).
In March the band performed a well-received set at SXSW, released a single from their upcoming album Ultraviolet Battle Hymns and True Confessions and announced a tour to showcase and support it. In addition, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of their seminal debut The Days of Wine and Roses, the band will play the entire album at every show on the upcoming tour. YouTube videos from SXSW earlier this year show that the current lineup has the chops to do it justice. (Speaking of deluxe reissues, Fire Records previously rereleased The Days of Wine and Roses on vinyl together in a set with the band's original 12" EP and an earlier Steve Wynn 7".)
And now the latest album by The Dream Syndicate is here, and it is my pleasure to review one of their releases for the second time this year on my friend Glenn's site.
The lead off track on Ultraviolet Battle Hymns and True Confessions is "Where I'll Stand", which is also the first single. Featuring a synthesizer introduction reminiscent of The Who's "Baba O'Reily" performed by new member Chris Cavacas (an alum of fellow Paisley band Green on Red), it's a pleasing guitar-driven mid-tempo rocker. The second track "Damian", recently released as the second single, crackles with tension between the three-chord hook, rhythm guitar, and Wynn's lead vocal. Next comes the understated power of "Beyond Control", one of the standout tracks on the new album.
The second half of this new record (or Side 2 for us vinyl listeners!) kicks off with the showgaze-influenced "Every Time You Come Around", another standout track, followed by the raw and raucus "Trying To Get Over" - perhaps the closest any Dream Syndicate song comes to replicating the sound of their legendary debut.
An album that ends on a strong note leaves a good lasting impression, and this one certainly does. The jazzy, ambient "My Lazy Mind" is a successful sonic experiment for Wynn and Co. The closing track, "Straight Lines", is a straight-ahead tribute to late 60's guitar & organ garage / psychedelic bands and it is chock full of raw power and good honest musical fun.
Ulltraviolet Battle Hymns and True Confessions may be the most engaging Dream Syndicate album since their 2017 reunion album How Did I Find Myself Here?, and it's out June 10 on Fire Records.
[Link to video for Damian, the second single]