The tone for this 12-track, hour-long album is set quickly by ’60s-sounding chromatic guitar riffs and heavy tambourine in “Shelter Song.” Singer and guitarist James Edward Bagshaw’s voice echoes over synthed-out ooh’s and aah’s: “take me in time / time to the music / take me away to the twilight zone.”
This psychedelic-rock tone is the orbital center of every track on the album. It is emulated in the sweeping vocals and other-worldly harp in “Keep in the Dark,” then the stripped-down, rhythm-heavy “Sand Dance,” a six-minute long penultimate track featuring three-and-a-half minutes of vocal-less, Arabian-groove/ethereal rock instrumentals.
To the band’s credit, however, they do manage to weave in their own sound between the The Byrds and Marc Bolan. “A Question Isn’t Answered” introduces a more contemporary sound that seems to be of Temples’ own design. The track begins with a heady combination of an earthy sounding clap-rhythm and distant vocals. From there, synth effects turn into a bluesy, super raw guitar riff that is more Dan Auerbach and less The Nazz. With this track and others, Temples adds a darkness to the otherwise sun-drenched sound of the album.
Sun Structures is easy to listen to and especially impressive for a first effort from a brand new band. The near-perfect replication of ’60s groove-rock is not a lack of originality; rather, it is impressive because of its meticulous and gritty similarity to the real thing. We depart from that retro psych-rock theme wanting more, curious to see how Temples’ own sound develops with time.
Temples will be headlining tonight, supported by Drowners and DJ Omar Perez. Tickets here.