Mystic 100's : " On a Micro Diet"

Punk came about as a middle finger response to hippies. This makes nothing weirder than when a punk band does so many drugs that they turn into hippies. Milk Music did so many that they changed their name to the title of their 2017 album. It is however hard to hate on them because they get right what so many jam band's get wrong. In the studio the Greatful Dead sounded like an experimental country band. Live things changed. They would not have developed the cult like fan-base if they played everything note for note on stage. There was a very expansive lingering that created a meditative effective, which is what these guys captured where bands like Phish and Widespread fuck it up with incessant noodling and a bouncing party vibe that smothers the introspection.  

You can hear the band they used to be when the first song kicks in. Their is less angst as the drugs kick in and things head into space. Yes extended guitar solos happen, but they work with the atmosphere and feel like a working part of the song.  The second song keeps the acid blues flowing, but a softer indie rock feel simmering . The vocals are softly sung and sparse. They even name drop Jerry Garcia, which makes me wonder if this is all a joke . While I appreciate the jazz stylings of "Drug Man" the lyrics press me further to ask if this is all in fun. It's a little darker , but not as focused as the first two songs. The bring back a more down trodden rock sound with an edge on "Windowpane". There is a more Alice Cooper feel than punk. The second part of the title track after is under a minute a more of a return to punk, that might scare the hippies into the previous song.

"Two Souls Dance" captures the feel of the Dead even more. There is an nasal element to the tenor of the vocals that reminds me of the Violent  Femmes at times. Especially in some of the snarkier lyrical moments. The 18 minute "Have You Ever Chased a Moon Beam" is a lot to commit to if you are not into the music so that is something to ponder. Despite the sprawling jammy nature of the song it sonically finds them in a more Pink Floyd like direction. I normally have little use for songs this long, but it worked pretty well for what it was. "Food For the Boogie Man" is more of a collection of trippy sounds than a song. 

"First Day of Peace" closes the album with a more typical Greatful Dead styled jam. The nuanced guitar work is impressive for a bunch of ex punks, which makes me wonder if this is the band proving they could play this just as well a hippies despite being punks. It's good get stoned and go to the beach music. It is impressive enough for me to give it a 9, I am not sure how much I will listen to this album but I respect what they have done here, though not sure how serious they are .