4/20 is here, and we here at the Westender have crafted a psychedelic journey to the centre of the universe for those brave enough to take the trip. So strap on your ear goggles, sit back, relax, and smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.
Pink Floyd, “One of These Days”
Any psychedelic playlist pretty much has to start with Pink Floyd. From their 1971 studio album Meddle, “One of These Days” is largely instrumental, save for Nick Mason’s distorted demonic warning of “One of these days I’m going to cut you into little pieces”. The duelling basses in either ear build the song to an explosive crescendo, the perfect blast-off for our journey.
Black Moth Super Rainbow, “Sun Lips”
This vocoder-drenched break-beat-driven bit of craziness comes courtesy of a bunch of Pittsburgh art freaks that includes electronic artist Tobacco. Super weird and super awesome.
Yes, “Heart of the Sunrise”
An absolute psychedelic classic from the kings of prog rock. Chris Squire’s insane bass is front and centre throughout this 11-minute epic’s meandering movements. Turn on the black light, shit is getting real.
Funkadelic, “Maggot Brain”
Basically a 10-minute guitar solo by then 21-year-old Eddie Hazel, who, legend has it, was given LSD by George Clinton and told to imagine he’d been told his mother died and then found out it wasn’t true.
Neon Indian, “Deadbeat Summer”
This lush, warm soundscape will make you nostalgic for a time and place that never existed; an afternoon spent in the arms of someone who was never there; a kiss that was never shared.
Fu Manchu, “The Falcon Has Landed”
A stoner rock classic. Sounds like Sabbath and Deep Purple making out in the back of a blown 426 Hemi Barracuda on the side of a lonely desert road.
Butthole Surfers, “The Hurdy Gurdy Man”
Gibby Haynes (who is apparently singing into a desk fan) and company take this cover of the Donovan classic to some pretty weird places. As you would expect from the Butthole Surfers.
The Mars Volta, “Cygnus… Vismund Cygnus”
After the demise of post-punk hardcore legends At The Drive-In, frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala and guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López decided to full prog. “Cygnus… Vismund Cygnus”, the opener of 2005’s Frances the Mute, shows the band in top form, and at their most epic.
Captain Beefheart, “Pena”
Produced by Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart’s 1969 album Trout Mask Replica is, like, seven different kinds of weird. Non-sensical, random, and utterly amazing, it is the zenith of ’60s experimental psychedelic freak-jazz.
Outkast, “SpottieOttieDopaliscious”
An overlooked track from their 1999 album Stankonia, “SpottieOttieDopaliscious” is further proof that Outkast is the most versatile, creative music group of the past 20 years.
Gorillaz, “Stylo”
Featuring Mos Def and R&B legend Bobby Womack, the steady beat will suck you in and propel you forward. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
Radiohead, “Everything in its Right Place”
The opening track off Radiohead’s 2000 album Kid A, the lush synths on “Everything in its Right Place” spread out in all directions. While OK Computer marked the beginning of Radiohead’s evolution from a straight guitar-driven rock band, Kid A saw the band take their musical experiments to the next level.
The Pharcyde, “Drop”
The 1990s were truly the golden age of hip hop, as evidenced by the Pharcyde. The backwards-filmed single-take video was one of director Spike Jonze’s first efforts.
The Avalanches, “Frontier Psychologist”
“Frontier Psychologist” is a beautiful mish-mash of audio oddities. The hit single from The Avalanches’ seminal 2000 album, Since I Left You, it helped launch an entire genre of sample-based music referred to as “plunderphonic”. Still waiting on a follow-up boys…
Kate Bush, “Running up that Hill”
This ‘80s classic still holds up remarkably well, and what could be trippier than talking to God and swapping bodies with your lover?
Tame Impala, “Alter Ego”
From their 2010 album Innerspeaker, “Alter Ego” is a neo-psychedelic anthem that will have you bobbing your head to the hammering drums as you float through the ambient synth-scape these Australians have created.
Sigur Rós, “Varúð”
This Icelandic band manufactures musical epiphanies for a living, and nowhere is that more evident than on “Varúð”. Off their 2010 album Valtari, this song will send you to heaven and leave you drifting among the stars.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor, “Dead Flag Blues”
A post-apocalyptic lullaby not recommended for those prone to bad trips. Intense, heartbreaking, but ultimately uplifting. Like life itself.
Boards of Canada, “Twoism”
This trippy down-tempo classic from Scottish brothers Marcus and Michael Sandison celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The perfect chill-out track to end the journey.
