BSN is often described as a mix of stoner/psychedelic and desert rock, drawing on the desert landscape and rock music traditions of Southern California’s Coachella Valley. The Long Morrow is the band’s fourth release and, along with 2020’s EP Lavender Blues, is the output from recording sessions in 2019. For trivia buffs out there The Long Morrow was an episode of 60’s show The Twilight Zone, maybe an influence on the band?
The band is known for creating songs with extended jams that taken as a whole create a unique sonic canvas almost as if creating a concept album. Having said that, the songs here can stand on their own, while still fitting within the broader album. Murder Klipp might be considered a darker song on the album, with odd time signatures and more progressive rock stylings along with twin vocals. This track is heavier than the others on the album.
Defector (Of Future Days) is a short, direct, hard rocking track. This track is more of a straight-ahead riff-rocker without the familiar psych stylings. The vocal reminds me a little of Mike Patton era Tomahawk. Lavender Bleu opens with calmness and haunting vocals and the verses are in this style, while the choruses and solo passages are a bit heavier, making for a varied and quite satisfying experience. The fourth and shortest track on the album LeDu follows another straightforward desert rock tune for its near three-minute run time.
To close things out the band embarks on The Long Morrow, the near 20-minute trip through various sonic landscapes that include heavy riffing, organ flourishes, blazing solos and twin guitar attack riffing that complements all the sonic canvasses of the previous tracks on the album. With all of the various sections and vibes here you could turn this on close your eyes and see the desert, moon, cactus and really be transported there. This track has so many interesting elements I could see the band releasing it as a one track EP. The very definition of extended play!
In regards to the guitar playing, to quote Biggie Smalls, “If you don’t know, now you know”. Bob Balch and Gary Arce can shred in various styles and as much as you need. The closer has so many great riffs it’s really fun to listen to wondering where they go next. Throw in some phaser and reverb along with the metal solo riffing and you really get your money’s worth! Both players have their unique styles and really complement each other here. On a path to the end of all things is the last lyric to close out The Long Morrow before concluding with more guitar soloing to close things out.
Lineup:
Gary Arce: Guitar
Bob Balch: Guitar
Tony Reed: Bass/Vocals/Synth/Guitar
Bill Stinson: Drums
Track List
- Defector (Of Future Days)
- Murder Klipp
- Lavender Bleu
- LeDu
- The Long Morrow