Al Lover’s Distorted Reverberations (of Reverberating Distortions) :: Psychedelic Reinterpretations of Contemporary Rock ‘n Roll

SF based producer Al Lover retools some fresh garage and psych rock into some fresher beats with his latest project, Distorted Reverberations (of Reverberating Distortion). With a handful of artists (Night Beats, Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall,…) giving the green-light and the samples, Lover deconstructs and reinterprets their sonics into takes a purist would balk at. But purists are usually no fun, so they’ll miss out.

Inspired by the revitalized garage, and psych scene in SF, Al Lover takes his own approach to the effects used by local bands and applies them to his MPC with the aid of various guitar pedals and recording techniques. The layering of different tones and effects used on the samples produces a beefy, aggressive, original sound not heard in instrumental hip-hop today. The Idea being to experiment with new ideas while directly siting influences and source material as a way of sharing the music sampled with those who have yet to hear it, thus hopefully helping to further connect the underground music community.

Whether that sounds good on paper to you or not is your call, but it sure sounds good on the ears. Through all the reconstructed fuzz, boom and beats, the original intent of the bands shine through. No one is buried in a wall of remixed bluster to the point of disappearing. It’s a psych/garage record, just one you may not be used to hearing. Both sides of the project get a boost and some added grind like the mission statement says. The hip hop aspect has a crunchy, burly drive, while the psych side of things actually get a bump. They spar with each other, but Lover keeps it friendly and collaborative. Distorted Reverberations (of Reverberating Distortion) is insightful and integrated. If the goal was to expose people to music they may otherwise avoid by luring them in with something they do know, it works. There’s as much respect in the outing as there is remix.

Mutilated, mutated and served up fresh … Distorted Reverberations (of Reverberating Distortion) is available at coolallover.com. If you prefer some Beef-y chunks in your stew, check Lover’s Safe as Milk Replica.

Night Beats – H-Bomb :: Al Lover’s Distorted Reverberations (of Reverberating Distortions) :: Psychedelic Reinterpretations of Contemporary Rock ‘n Roll (Reflective Flesh Records, 2011)