Cycle As with one of my most valued psychedelic artifacts of the last decade—White Heaven’s “Levitation” LP on The Now Sound label—LSD-March’s “Kanashimino Bishoyunen” is a powerful reminder of what heavy psych rock should sound like, and that it should be heard via the warm hiss and pop of vinyl. These five live tracks see a band exploring various states of tension and release in harrowing displays of garage psych exorcism, each slowly and determinedly approaching the divine. The finest example of this is heard on opener, “When I Die, Hell Awaits.” It starts as sad, slow pop with Shinsuke Michishita’s voice barely audible over the crowd hum. The crowd admittedly gets in the way here, especially one chattering lass, but it’s actually not such a bad thing. Halfway in drums kick in, second guitar lashes to life and things gain speed, and by the time Michishita steps on his fuzz pedal and unleashes that first smoldering acid lead, we’re left tumbling in a harsh sea of boiling noise and wondering if that murmuring crowd hasn’t since been incinerated by the heat. What remains is one of the most devastating live performances I’ve ever heard—no exaggeration. Every track explores such sprawling terrain; e.g., a basic melody is introduced, slowly built on and eventually blasted apart via massive guitar duals. “Black Bouquet” is crunchy noise blues that brings Rocket From the Tombs kicking and screaming into the PSF void. “Nude and Bizarre” explores more dusted headspace with acid coaxed wah-wah circling a timid melody before erupting into a masterful, crawling jam. It’s simply inspiring to hear LSD-March deliver each track as such resonant displays of power and catharsis. “Kanashimino Bishounen” is the most enthralling work from these young dudes yet 8/10 -- Lee Jackson (25 May, 2005)