Everyone’s buzzing about The Odyssey these days, but the Odyssey Cult deserves a wider share of the conversation. The outfit is steered by Ethan Miller (known for Comets On Fire, Howlin Rain, Heron Oblivion, and more), who has gathered a formidable roster from the underground rock scene to bring his expansive, fuzz-soaked visions to life. The first two Odyssey Cult records, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, were Miller’s solo projects, both surfacing in 2017. Nearly a decade later, the project resurges as a large-scale psych supergroup.
Today’s release, Vol. 3, reunites Miller with his Comets On Fire comrade Ben Flashman on bass. Carlton Melton’s Anthony Taibi contributes on keyboards, and the trio laid down the album’s foundation together. Former Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley — who currently plays with Miller in Orcutt Shelley Miller — later joined on drums. Zoh Amba, who has been steering a rootsy indie singer–songwriter path, picked up their sax again to unleash some sharp, scronking tones here. Also along for the ride are Brigid Dawson (Osees), Paula Frazer (Tarnation), and Inna Showalter (Magic Fig).
The music that results is both raw and expansive, melodic yet abrasive, familiar and exploratory all at once. It may not reinvent psychedelic rock, but it certainly hits the mark. If you’re partial to any of these artists’ past work in their various configurations, you’ll want these tunes to fry your brain, and you can hear them right here.
Vol. 3 is out now on Silver Current. Buy it here.
