Daughters Of The Sun - "4am Astral Projector"

Download: Daughters Of The Sun - "4am Astral Projector"
Download: Daughters Of The Sun - "Light As A Feather, Stiff As A Board"

Going on three weeks ago, Minneapolis-based psychedelic folk-rock band Daughters Of The Sun had the release party for their debut album, Visions Of The Ocean Head. You may have read about said show on More Cowbell. However, if you couldn't make it out to the show on that night, whether you were underage or live 400 miles away, fret not. Of the four songs posted on the band's MySpace Page, two are available for download.

Of those two songs, the serene "4am Astral Projector" may be the more appropriate for when the weather starts getting more and more picturesque. (I don't know about MPLS, but Chicago is a veritable winter wonderland right now). The gentle strum of an acoustic guitar and the barest of counterpoint melodies, also on acoustic guitar, deliberately lull the listener to a state of blissful calm.

After an extended intro of some peaceful, tranquil jamming, the vocals and drums hit their cues in a way that wouldn't disturb the most quietly sleeping babies. Indeed, what is remarkable about "4 am Astral Projector" is that, for all intents and purposes, the song is a lullaby. The melody which comprises the song is the same quality of soothing reassurance that most small children would hear right before they drifted to sleep (that's where they're vikings, no doubt).

Granted, most lullabies sung don't have a sense of hypnotic patience that "4 am" does. But then, most lullabies aren't this excellently psychedelic, or sound like a demo that Air would lay down right before getting its damn, dirty electronic paws all over it. It's to the Daughter Of The Sun's immense credit that they are able to create that kind of atmosphere normally heard in bands like Serena Maneesh or My Bloody Valentine using the most basic of instrumentation.

Visions Of The Ocean Head is out now.

Stream and download more songs at the band's MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)