CD Review - Vista Chino-"Peace" (2013 Napalm Records)

Vista Chino-"Peace" (2013 Napalm Records)

Kyuss Lives, does in fact live. I mean er uh Vista Chino has made their long awaited return, er I mean debut. Vista Chino is Kyuss without the name and minus the Lives. For those living under a dune in the California desert, Kyuss was the seminal stoner, captains of the fuzz brigade, that influenced the whole stoner movement of the nineties. After they broke up after in 1995, vocalist John Garcia went on to form the short lived, but great band Slo Burn and then Unida, while Josh Homme started The Desert sessions, which eventually with Nick Oliveri turned into Queens of the Stone Age. Homme became the defacto spokesman of Kyuss, and was shooting down reunion rumors constantly. When the rest of Kyuss wanted to reunite, Homme squashed it , and fought for the name, which brings us to where we are today with Vista Chino consisting of vocalist John Garcia, drummer Brant Bjork, and Homme's replacement Bruno Bruno Fevery on guitar. NIck Oliveri remains an "honorable member" of the band, and Mike Dean fills in for Oliveri on bass.

To me, "Peace" picks up and progresses where ... And The Circus Leaves Town ends. Many vocalist have lost a bit here or there, but not John Garcia. Garcia is on top of his game, and seems to get better as time goes by. Brant Bjork returns to his masterful form and holds the relaxed groove down for the length of the album. Couple Bjork with long time bringer of thunder Mike Dean, the low end is is heavy and full of powerful grooves.Now for the microscopic examination of new Kyuss, damn it I mean Vista Chino guitarist Bruno Fevery, who takes over the stoner legacy that Josh Homme helped bring to the forefront. Fevery calms every worry with his fuzz soaked perfection and soulful melody. He even seems to lead the jam as songs progress.

Overall I give "Peace" a 10 out of 10. Fans of Kyuss will rejoice in their stoner glory, at the gift that Vista Chino has given us all. Tracks that stand out to me , and really seem to have that trademark Kyuss, er uh I mean Vista Chino, I will get it right one of these days, sound are Dargona Dragona and Acidize... The Gambling Moose. The album even has some of the odd song titles that a band I will not say this time used to employ quite often. The jam within the songs is what stands out to me. It fits the song, but seems like  another song within itself. Garcia's vocals are front and center and accent the music nicely. I am very excited to see this machine hit the road and check them out live. The free spirited jam, the trippy mellow, stoners unite,jam some killer tunes.... and "Peace"

Tracklist

1- Good Morning Wasteland

2- Dargona Dragona

3- Sweet Remain

4- As You Wish

5-Planets 1&2

6- Adara

7- Mas Vino

8- Dark and Lovely

9- Barcelonian

10- Acidize...The Gambling Moose

11- Carnation

12- Sunlight at Midnight