Goatriders – Traveler
Release Date: 1st July 2022
Label: Majestic Mountain Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Psych Fuzz, Prog, Stoner Rock.
FFO: Hazemaze, Domkraft, Monster Magnet.
Review By: Jason James
Two years after taking off into the inky blackness of space (by way of Sweden), Goatriders return to earth once again to drop their second album, Travelers. Daniel (Drums), Jimmy (Bass), Robin (Guitar) and Stoffe on Vocal duty bring us more of their signature brand of tripped-out, psychedelic fuzz.
Fans of their first album will know exactly what to expect as the band bring 9 more tracks of fluffy funk. The album gets off to a scintillating start with Atomic Sunlight, setting the listener up nicely to what the rest of the album has to offer.
This is music for all occasions. It would sound great on a stage in a small venue or at a big outdoor festival. I listened to it through headphones and enjoyed the experience. I also think it would sound great as background music while guests are round for drinks or some other social gathering.
If I had to highlight any problems I found with the album, I would have to say Stoffe’s vocals. This is only a very slight criticism, by the way. I understand that, in this part of the rock and metal world especially, the vocalist doesn’t have to have the greatest singing voice. And you can tell, across both albums, that Stoffe has the confidence and swagger to match his bandmates. But for me personally, there were a couple of occasions where I felt the vocals were lacking ever so slightly. I don’t know whether time was a factor, but the vocals could have been cleaned up in a couple of places. They could have taken a couple more takes to make sure notes were reached that needed to be reached.
Like I said, though, this is just a small, personal quibble that took me out of the music on just a couple of occasions. Apart from that, Travelers is great fun and would make a good addition to the collection of anyone who enjoys their rock unkempt and shaggy.
(3 / 5)
