Woodsist

Since last checking-in with Matt Valentine and Erika Elders a few years ago, the cosmic communards have released some additional 15 albums worth of studio cuts, live jams and ongoing collaborations. Tally that with 31 previous, a new 8-disc CD-R collection, plus the brand new Space Homestead and like, whoa. Even drenched in reverb, Valentine’s defiantly flatlined vocals remain a hard sell, but the band’s DIY psych detours find their way to strangefolk bliss with ease – actual (and sometimes crucially unpleasant) strangeness leading to actual folk ( “Porchlight” > “Leaves” ), or possibly a sweet guitar denouement ( “Too Far to See” ). There are low-key anthems with actual choruses, graceful strums, and as much focus as has even been demonstrated along MV & EE’s long, hazy and golden road.