Seven Days Now EP, self-released

Xu Xu Fang’s 2008 EP These Days was my favorite local release last year. Drummer Bobby Tamkin merged percussion driven three-guitar acid rock with the Nico-esque vocals of Barbara Cohen fading in and out of the mix like the billows of bong smoke that inspired the music. Their new EP Seven Days Now expands their sound, relying more heavily on keyboardist Jenna Blake and electronic elements that give the Fang a dance beat straight out of Paris while still maintaining their stoner cool. What makes Xu Xu Fang really stand out above the other psychedelic bands is their ability to contain their head trips within tight 4 minute songs. Songs like “Going Underground” and the hypnotizing electronica of “Your Way” and the title track will make fans of their 2008 cover of the Cure’s “Fascination Street” happy. The songs are radio friendly and club ready, but they still sound trippy—like when Portishead and Massive Attack still had fresh ideas. “Fascination Street” is also on the EP and this is a definite improvement over the original. The Fang takes the moper standard, slows it down and adds double the percussion and creepy whispy harmonies that are much better than Robert Smith’s annoying whine. Of course the CD ends with an eleven-minute head trip. Fog machine comes separately.
—Scott Schultz