The Gris Gris

Whether or not psychedelics are your cup of altered tea, The Gris Gris will take you on a trip with their horn-frenzied build-ups and mind-bending meltdowns. Favoring chant-like singing and less often, but most potent, mystical melodies and instrumentation without the self-indulgent virtuosity of ye olde psych-rock, the San Francisco band flavors its sound with shades of garage rock, folk and free-jazz. For better or worse, don't expect the pop structures of contemporaries like Animal Collective and Lavender Diamond; instead, expect a journey full of experimental breaks and smooth passages between songs. (Keep your ears open for the transition between sing-along "Down With Jesus" and perplexingly titled "Big Engine Nazi Kid Daydream.")