Butterscotch Cathedral, The – The Butterscotch Cathedral (Trouble In Mind) LP

Product Description

e Butterscotch Cathedral is the new psychedelic studio project from Matt Rendon (The Resonars, Lenguas Largas) with Chris Ayers & Jim Waters. Featuring three tracks total (side one is one 18-min sidelong track, & side two contains “Loud Heavy Sun” & the 17-minute suite “Lisa’s Dream”) the project is Rendon’s homage to the great Sixties & Seventies concept records from bands like The Who & The Beach Boys, both of whom Rendon cite as an influence. Art & design by Jason Willis. Plenty of great music has been the byproduct of a singular vision; that “man-alone” in the studio producing genius works (Brian Wilson, Curt Boettcher, Pete Townshend).

Tuscon, AZ’s Matt Rendon know plenty about being the “man-alone” in the studio. Ever since he debuted The Resonars in the early Nineties he’s produced six albums of Sixties mod-inflected power pop all by himself in his home studio. The Butterscotch Cathedral is the latest album from Rendon & his first project outside of The Resonars since 2004. The Butterscotch Cathedral “s/t” debut is comprised of only three tracks total; one shorter song “Loud Heavy Sun”, & two longer suites both nearing the 18 minute mark (“Side A” and “Lisa’s Dream”).

In this day & age, sidelong tracks in the context of a “rock & roll band” are scarce, and ‘The Butterscotch Cathedral’ hearkens back to an era that could produce albums like ‘Smile’ & ‘Quadrophenia’ without batting an eye. Rendon’s had two decades to familiarize himself with his home studio & on this album he’s never sounded more at home. Rendon attacks the tunes here with renewed vigor, with every song crackling with shimmering melodic intensity & the sharpest hooks this side of The Brill Building. The tunes embedded within the albums sides ebb & flow from fiery rockers to emotive ballads, woven together in a psychedelic tapestry by Rendon & studio-mate Jim Waters. They fold & unfold onto each other like the rolling ocean tides. Songs like “Waterfall Parasol” & “Uncle Tommy’s Song” are snappy power pop numbers, utilizing the Resonars model as a springboard into new territory along with the upliftingly melancholic dirge of “Saxifrage Drive” & the 17-minute “Lisa’s Dream” suite on Side Two which bounces to & fro between sparkling pop, acoustic balladry, psychedelic mindfuckery & gorgeous, layered vocal harmonies.

Tracklist: (Won’t You Come Inside) The Butterscotch Cathedral / And When We Land / Flood Of Mendoza / Paniolo By The Ocean / Waterfall Parasol/Crocodile / Uncle Tommy’s Song / Saxifrage Drive / Loud Heavy Sun / Lisa’s Dream  / B2.a     Bright And Beautiful Morning / B2.b We Want To Help You / B2.c Dark Or Bright / B2.d Why Do You Hate Everything I Love / B2.e Wing-A-Ding / B2.f  Keys And Pans / B2.g  Daddy, I Think I’m Going Crazy / B2.h Suite Dream / B2.i Bright And Beautiful Morning (Reprise)

Trouble In Mind  TIM094LP