Album Review: Allah-Las – Worship The Sun
2 min read
I often tell my friends that I was born in the wrong time. Underneath this city girl exterior lies a hippy at heart, longing for the days of bell bottoms, peace signs and Lennon-esque sunglasses. And I am not alone. The 60’s are BACK. It seems every where you turn people are donning the fresh-from-Woodstock look and thanks to bands like Allah-Las, it’s not just 60’s fashion that is relishing the resurgence.
Allah-Las made waves in 2012 with the release of their self-titled LP, receiving praise for their west coast psychedelic pop sound. It wouldn’t be hard to believe the album had been lost in the archives at Capitol Records, forgotten among the machines that were The Beatles and The Beach Boys. It was vintage surf culture and a sensational debut that sent the band to the road, extending their tour from not only the US but to Europe and Australia. Two years on the Allah-Las boys do not disappoint with Worship The Sun, a gorgeous second record that compounds their sound with an added layer of maturity a band gains from pounding pavement.
As the Allah-Las LP paid homage to The Beach Boys, Worship The Sun inspires memories of Cream and The Byrds. It’s a little dirtier, a little grungier and still addictive as all hell with the trippy guitar riffs that will quickly become their calling card. Stand out tracks Had It All, Worship The Sun and the Solsbury-Hill-inspiring Better Than Mine are insulated with instrumental pieces Ferus Gallery, Yemeni Jade and No Werewolf that are almost too easy to get lost in. The last track on the record, Every Girl is particularly special. It stays true to the Allah-Las sound but has an even catchier hook and a husky lead vocal backed by perfect harmonies.
While there is much to be said for the individual tracks on Worship The Sun, the coolest thing about this groovy record is the effect it has as a complete body of work. It’s an album you can listen to start to finish and get completely transported. A few minutes into this album, my eyes are closed and I am dreaming of Laguna Beach. I’m hanging out the window of my 1967 Ford Fairlane, changing my name to Penny Lane and wondering if “groupie” is a viable career choice. So while I braid my hair and crush on the lead singer, I suggest you grab yourself a copy of Worship The Sun and come meet me in the 60’s. Who needs a DeLorean when you have Allah-Las?
