Oregon-based indie quartet, Americana rockers AM Clouds blend classic and psych rock flavors, adding an alternative twist that lands somewhere between Soundgarden and Uncle Tupelo.
The band’s new sophomore 10-song release, Rainmaker, is a tasty collection of retro garage nuggets that navigate the inner and outer terrains of lead-singer Bruce Troy Moon’s rustic consciousness. The angular “Paradise” showcases the band’s knack for sharp-edged, pop rock hooks while standouts like the jangly “The Velvet Rope” display a deeply personal expression of Moon’s relationship with religion. The groovy “Headlong” is another stellar throwback jam with the kind of punchy hook that demands repeat listens.
The real power of the music comes from the cohesiveness of the band, who support Moon’s shamanistic visions with solid bass lines, tight drum rolls, and perfectly fuzzed-out guitar tones. But the real cherry on top is when the band combines their voices in superb harmony, forming a Crosby, Stills and Nash-like miscellany that transcends the genres that have so clearly influenced them.
