Temporary Pharaohs

This is exactly the type of release you’d expect to find in a backstreet record store: a dated, yet curiously titled band, with a cover that hints at acid-folk ideals. In fact, this is only an intricate molecule of Temporary Pharaohs’ wider soundscapes: the band has retrieved West Coast ideals on a kind of musico-anthropological expedition: ‘Joyful Path’ is littered with carefree, sun-tinged harmonies, while ‘Well Dontcha?’ is a fleeting, paisley-induced trance. Despite its surf-rock flourishes (see ‘Office Buddies’) this is a record locked in splendid isolation. - Chybucca Sounds

This is exactly the type of release you’d expect to find in a backstreet record store: a dated, yet curiously titled band, with a cover that hints at acid-folk ideals. In fact, this is only an intricate molecule of Temporary Pharaohs’ wider soundscapes: the band has retrieved West Coast ideals on a kind of musico-anthropological expedition: ‘Joyful Path’ is littered with carefree, sun-tinged harmonies, while ‘Well Dontcha?’ is a fleeting, paisley-induced trance. Despite its surf-rock flourishes (see ‘Office Buddies’) this is a record locked in splendid isolation. - Chybucca Sounds

Temporary Pharaohs crude, crayon-drawn EP covers seem to provide a near-perfect description of their sound. The artwork for their late 2012 3-track release Down South features (what appears to be) a horned bull in a spacesuit, mingling with an alien between rainbows while suspended above the earth. It’s all too reflective of the EP’s spacey and sedative psychedelic nature, with dropped down, laid back vocals and a melody which is propelled by looping and weaving pings of riffs.

The Smoked Mirror is something like Temporary Pharaohs response to their own release. While still steeped in a similar sort of stoner whimsy, the EP instead explores a more standard psych pop sentiment. Like Down South‘s “Grandad Jam”, the trio still loves their do0-wop “oohs” and subtle sweetness; but this time, they are unafraid to break through their old dynamic ceiling into huge, garage rock moments before curling back into a tune-in drop-out haze. The title track’s interlude features a solo reminiscent to that in “Impossible Germany”, pushing their emotional range.

Despite clocking in at just over ten minutes, The Smoked Mirror allows Temporary Pharaohs to show off their impressive breadth, encompassing everything from surf rock to doo-wop to psych pop. Stream the EP in its entirety below via Bandcamp. - Local Loop

Temporary Pharaohs crude, crayon-drawn EP covers seem to provide a near-perfect description of their sound. The artwork for their late 2012 3-track release Down South features (what appears to be) a horned bull in a spacesuit, mingling with an alien between rainbows while suspended above the earth. It’s all too reflective of the EP’s spacey and sedative psychedelic nature, with dropped down, laid back vocals and a melody which is propelled by looping and weaving pings of riffs.

The Smoked Mirror is something like Temporary Pharaohs response to their own release. While still steeped in a similar sort of stoner whimsy, the EP instead explores a more standard psych pop sentiment. Like Down South‘s “Grandad Jam”, the trio still loves their do0-wop “oohs” and subtle sweetness; but this time, they are unafraid to break through their old dynamic ceiling into huge, garage rock moments before curling back into a tune-in drop-out haze. The title track’s interlude features a solo reminiscent to that in “Impossible Germany”, pushing their emotional range.

Despite clocking in at just over ten minutes, The Smoked Mirror allows Temporary Pharaohs to show off their impressive breadth, encompassing everything from surf rock to doo-wop to psych pop. Stream the EP in its entirety below via Bandcamp. - Local Loop