Through The Thickest Haze - Independant
Vancouver’s reputation for quality stoner rock bands has been gaining huge steam. But for the most part, the bands have been a sludgy, doom ridden and noised out.
Enter 88 Mile Trip. A serious breath of fresh air exhaled onto the scene. With soulful clean vocals and warm fuzzy riffs they bring a sunny laid back vibe reminiscent of the California stoner bands of yore like Kyuss and Fu Manchu.
Through The Thickest Haze kicks off with a huge bong hit of wonder and keeps burning. It travels on tasty leads and rampant bass runs. Where some bands might slow it down, 88 Mile Trip keep the groove upbeat and feeling just right. With stand out rompers like “Sky Valley”, “Burn The Saints”, and “Song Of The Dead”. Vocalist Dave Bell croons like a graceful stallion riding over these stoney tones into the glowing moonlit desert. He’s definitely got a cool Ian Astbury thing going on.
It is a bare bones yet slick recording. It truly gets masterful with the closing track “Sacred Stone” where they bring it all home and ice it up with some pure rock stomp. It is nice to see Vancouver finally produce a stoner rock band like this.
Even though it rains here, we also have beaches.
- Heath Fenton
ED. Note, above player is a taste of the self-titled EP, that said, we have no problem stepping back for a few locals that have self-released some notable material. So consider this a second push. It can be a tricky road to navigate independently. Heck, there is no roadmap. Keep up the good work.