The second album by the Rishis comes after Rishi Sunak has disappeared back into the woodwork to count his money, unlike the band's first album that was released at the height of his powers. These Rishis never had anything to do with him thankfully, they are more likely dreaming of Rishi Kesh.
The Rishis are based in Athens Georgia and feature members of Neutral Milk Hotel, Olivia Tremor Control and Elf Power among other Elephant 6 recording artists. The band revolve around the songwriting duo of Sofie Lute and Ranjan Avasthi with help from Mac McCaughan, Robert Schneider, co-producer Chris Byron, Colin Willard & Gregg White. The album was recorded at Nuci's Space in Athens and Shangri-La Studios in Malibu, California.
The album opens with Colouring a bright, breezy, gently psychedelic song, with a full palette including a brass section, diffracted piano adding to the hazy beauty they are creating.
Miles is pretty as a picture, dreams of the old days, simpler times, with less stress and horror around us all, the chamber pop feel is rather relaxing, while they dream of the flying cars we used to think would be common in the 2020's, if only things had turned out that way and he still had you in his arms.
Buffalo is string laden harmony led dreamy thoughts, for some very graceful Buffaloes moving across the plains. They won't tell and won't give away the secrets of the mighty Buffalo.
Ride into the trumpet led, laid back world they are trying to create, looking back at how you survived, the last member of your family, looking at the burnt remains of what you used to call home, this is timely reflections on the pain caused by forest fires and other fire led tragedies.
Nite may well lull you into a dreamy slumber, soft sounds sleepily weaving a cushion of strings to lie down on.
Criminal Activities is the most rocking tune on the album as they ask questions as to why you may be predisposed to Criminal Activities, could it be a family trait, the guitar solo that rips through the middle of the tune is howling like the police sirens chasing you, this has a ferocity that matches the subject matter well.
Robot Factory is almost opalescent cool reflections, from deep in the paisley underground, with Sofie taking lead vocals for the first time, she explores what goes on in that Robot Factory that changed our realities.
Dharamsala is gentle reflections of the Dalai Lama and how his persecution has made his mission to lead his people in peace and love so much more difficult, this has a meditative feel, they hope he really gets to free his people from persecution.
Stratosphere is where this lot are headed, one harmonica solo at a time, this takes flight to get away from the trauma on earth, they are hurrying to get far away so they can just talk about the weather again.
The album closes with Rishi Kesh a tone poem for the mystical Indian town, conjuring up rushing water, bustling streets and an immense sense of calm reflection.
Find out more at https://cloudrecordings.com/store/p/the-rishis-the-rishis-lp https://primordialvoid.bandcamp.com/album/the-rishis https://www.facebook.com/therishisband
