After I listen to an album and really enjoy it, I usually start recommending it to others. Whether it is right here on ENS or just to friends, I am have to think about how I want to describe the record I have just listened to and enjoyed. I had that issue after consuming the debut album from Golden Animals recently, and I told someone to look at the album cover, and you will know what you are in for. The throwback look of duo Tommy Eisner and Linda Beecroft bring to mind 60′s psychadelic rock and roll at its best.

But the look and feel of this album is only where things begin. Golden Animals have a sound that will have you convinced as well, bringing to mind Jim Morrison in his prime or a band getting attention more recently, The Black Angels.

And the backstory that goes along with the recording of Free Your Mind & Win A Pony is equally intriguing. Although Tommy and Linda hail from the East Coast, and recorded their debut EP there, they headed out west to the desert to put together their first long player. However they left without a solid plan until they found a post on the web looking for a house sitter by the Salton Sea, just after arriving west. Having no idea where this was, they replied to the ad and agreed to take the job as long as they could play rock & roll music as loud as possible whenever they wanted. Since it was the hottest part of the desert and they had arrived for the summer months, every sane person who could leave the area had left, avoiding temperatures that can exceed 120*.

And the results speak for themselves, as the album shines as bright as the summer sun most of the time, dipping its toes into another era and stratosphere at times, in a good way. The record comes out physically next month, but is already available in digital form right now thanks to the good folks at Happy Parts. (who also put out a great record by The Dilettantes last year)

Golden Animals – Try On Me