The Bevis Frond - Horrorful Heights 2CD

Horrorful Heights marks an impressive new chapter in The Bevis Frond's extensive oeuvre, showcasing the continued creativity of songwriter, guitarist, and frontman Nick Saloman as he embarks on another decade as a musician. Long established as one of the most distinctive voices in British underground rock, Saloman continues to refine the band's qualities, blending melodic psychedelia, taut guitar epics, and songwriting artistry. One of the most accessible entry points into the world of The Bevis Frond, it unites all their strengths into a cohesive and vibrant whole. The album moves fluidly between shimmering psych-pop, heavy guitar riffs, and pastoral reveries. The album's range is vast, yet clearly defined. "Draining The Bad Blood" evokes classic Bevis Frond-style, melodically inspired guitar pop of the 60s, while "Space Age Eyes," a concise nine-minute odyssey, references the transcendental explorations of the electric Miles Davis of the 70s. The sitar-laden title track drifts through smoky psychedelia with multi-layered vocals and tablas—a loving echo of the headshop mysticism that Saloman has played with throughout the band's history. Elsewhere, "Mossback's Dream" blends lysergic leads with the driving energy of 80s American hardcore, creating a hybrid that feels both timeless and entirely original. Other highlights include the Byrds-influenced "Buffaloed," the swirling "Silver Insects," and "That's Your Lot," a rapid-fire burst of melancholic euphoria and one of the album's most immediate songs. Although seemingly eclectic, it's a focused portrait of The Bevis Frond in 2025 – vital, melodic, and free of nostalgia. Saloman describes the collection quite simply: the best songs he's written in recent years, created without pressure and entirely instinctively. The result is a highlight from the late period of one of Britain's quietest and most influential underground bands.