Back Into The Dream. Elephant Stone

Wow, that is the right word to start this review with. I did not see this one coming. On the basis of the past, what is it now, 11, 12 years, that Elephant Stone is on this blog, I had certainly expected a good album. Not Back Into The Dream though. This album is truly next level.

It is full of influences that anyone with a even a little pop knowledge will recognise. There's nothing new here where Elephant Stone is concerned. What happens next is the surprise. The Canadians come up with golden melodies that can compete with the best that came before.

Elephant Stone came into my life as one of the earlier bands that surfed high on the wave of modern psychedelia. At some point I truly wondered whether I could manage to digest another one and so often I found I could. With Indian elements the Canadians set itself somewhat apart from other bands in the genre.

What makes Back Into The Dream special is that Elephant Stone manages to successfully combine The Shins with the most glorious 1960s pop songs with a hint of psychedelia of course. A host of instruments come by giving the music the authentic sounds it needs and harmonies that seem to want to topple 'Saint Simon' from its throne as the pop song with the best vocal harmony since the 1960s. Enter The Beatles and The Beach Boys into this album. It is as if Elephant Stone gave up all the limits and inhibitions it ever set for itself to go truly all the way to create the best music it was capable of.

Over the past months, well into last year, several singles have come by on this blog but none of them individually gave away the experience I'm having listening to the whole. If proof is needed whether a whole album can work better than a single song, Back Into The Dream provides it. From beginning to end I'm riding that proverbial high Elephant Stone provides me with.

Rishi Diir (vocals, bass and sitar) and his band mates Miles Dupire on drums, Jason Kent keys and guitar, and Robbie MacArthur on guitar have struck true gold for the first time. The Montreal based foursome have produced an album so rich in sounds and melodies it can be really, truly proud of. The richness of the album shows primarily in the different sides to the album. You will hear elements honouring Yes' Steve Howe, the singing of The Beatles (and The Shins), the softer psychedelic pop songs of the 60s and a lot, lot more. It is all done in such good taste, honouring the heroes of old while presenting extremely strong Elephant Stone songs.

Sometimes an album comes along that makes my mouth drop. Back In The Dream is one of them. Time will tell how good it really is. Am I dreaming or is it real? We are certainly off to a very good start. Another strong album in 2024 and we are not even two months in.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order Back Into The Dream here:

https://elephantstonemusic.bandcamp.com/album/back-into-the-dream