Pontiacs are another fascinating Chilean psychedelic rock band, who mix rather melodic neo-psych and 60s psych vibe with modern day psychedelia. Atacama Dreaming is the latest album of this Chilean outfit, and packs some extremely catchy neo psychedelia, with some repetitive drums together with similar basslines. All of it mixed together with some catchy psych rock riffs, coupled with cool mellow neo-psych style vocals. Vocals that tend to even take on a pop rock dimension every now and then. But in a thoroughly good and interesting way. One would just have to listen to the albums first track Constellations to see what I am talking about. Or the second track titled Desert Sun, and even more the third track Voices, which has a sort of a Brian Jonestown Massacre and Holydrug Couple feel to it. A truly awesome track. All of these tracks are also coupled with some really fuzzy garage rock riffs and extreme cathchyness in a mellow psych rock sense.
One of the best tracks on this fine album is however a nearly 8 minute long Bulgaria, which starts off in neo-psych style half pop-rockish feel and ends up with some awesome repetitive psych rock jam that has a very transcendental and ascending nature. One of the best psych rock tracks I have come across in recent years. Other tracks on the album like Patagonia, After the Rainbow and Jupiter Beach are worthwhile as well, and Atacama Dreaming is a really spot on title for this album, since it feels like a dreamish journey in the Atacama desert, where blue skies shine under your feet and the mountaintops on the distance descend from above your head. The world is upsidedown.
If you are looking for some dreamy neo-psych mixed with modern psychedelic rock then Pontiacs are a sure way to go. The album packs some quite diverse songs, which makes it interesting and not dull. Many neo-psych albums these days end up being dull and usual, but this is not the case with Pontiacs's Atacama Dreaming. Another band that hasn't gotten enough attention. But definitely comparable to other Chilean greats like The Holydrug Couple.
Some useful links:
Bandcamp: https://pontiacs.bandcamp.com/album/atacama-dreaming
