John Harrison’s latest release, Beyond Provisional, finds the guitarist, vocalist, and keyboardist pushing the boundaries of the band’s psychedelic rock roots. With the addition of Alex Livingstone (Grand Champeen, Past Prayers) on bass and songwriting duties, the group’s sound expands, blending heavy riffs with intricate melodies and harmonies, exemplified in the magic of a track like “All Charades.”
The album’s self-mixed production delivers a powerful, wall-of-sound atmosphere that hits listeners hard, especially on tracks like “Goldtop” and the grunge-infused “Midnight Moon.” These tracks showcase not only the band’s tight composition but also their potential for extended, electrifying jams during live performances.
Balancing roaring instrumentals with heady ballads, Beyond Provisional includes standouts like the smoldering “A New Way to Kick It” and the punchy “Ramkat.” The album captures the group at their best, blending dense, acid-tinged rock with a progressive spirit, leaving listeners eager for their next evolution.