“Dog Star” b/w “Queen of Eyes” by Anton Barbeau–Single Review
“Dog Star” b/w “Queen of Eyes” by Anton Barbeau–Single Review
Have you ever had a kid ask you what the word “psychedelic” meant? It’s much tougher to answer when you’re trying to conceptually keep the conversation straight-laced for the child, but thoughtful & honest. I realized in answering the question, that it’s simply a state of being; one that is eerily similar to being a child – with your mind as an open canvas for the experience to be realized, This sentiment is not lost on the prolific Anton Barbeau who, over the last three decades, has never lost the child-like playful gaze on the creative side of so much music.
The term “Post-Psychedelic” doesn’t get used often. Did psychedelia ever stop? I mean hell when did it start? If we all came from the primordial soup, then all recorded music would qualify as post-psychedelic in some regard. Anton Barbeau defines this all well in his most recent single “Dog Star”, along with a kind gesture to our ears with a cover of the Soft Boys’ “Queen of Eyes”.
Maybe a more common term than post-psychedelic is post-apocalyptic, and perhaps they are quite similar. In the mire of an acid-addled anxiety, comes a select kind of clairvoyance. Barbeau’s eyeball to the microscope happens to be paired with his good brain, and a nice set of vocal chords – all cuing us in on his take on the post-apocalyptic matter. “Dog Star” is a proto-hard-rock, Roky meets Bolan kind of track that would have paired great in a moment of Heavy Metal. Featuring a guest guitar spot by the amazing Barry ‘The Fish’ Melton, of none other than Country Joe & The Fish, “Dog Star” has burning experimental guitar layers from the hands of someone who was actually at Woodstock – all further proving that there is no post-psychedelia, there is just psychedelia.
Anton covers the Soft Boys classic “Queen of Eyes” with a heightened, mature sensibility. The chef’s kiss quality of the song shines through in this rendition, fronted by the nicely swirling flat-top guitar. At a slightly more slow-dance pace, his appreciation for Robyn Hitchcock cuts through – allowing each and every one of the thoughtful lyrics to pierce your core. Nicely done, Anton.
Lorna Jo Morris
The fact is, as long as psychedelia is a viable concept, Anton Barbeau will seemingly be contributing to it. His honesty, wisdom, and charming playfulness are not lost on anyone here, and we’re excited to hear more.
Overhand Sam is an upside-down mid-fi guitarist, songwriter, and producer from Rochester NY
Related: Anton Barbeau Interview
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