The arc of most psych-rock careers bends in one of two ways. Usually it curves toward the slick, soft, and eventually the ignominiously drab (aka “mature”). But savvier and more committed musicians in the genre, the ones who are in it for the long haul, dig deeper, and with each album he makes as SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE Ben Chasny has become more adventurous. Last year’s School of the Flower showed off his ability to shape folkish lines into beautiful ice palaces, but his new album, The Sun Awakens (Drag City), burns mostly hot and dark red; the 24-minute “River of Transfiguration” steadily builds into sharply focused madness. Chasny has also just released a split seven-inch with the mighty Om, the very heavy duo of Al Cisneros (who contributed bass on The Sun Awakens) and Chris Hakius, both formerly of Sleep. For this tour Chasny will be backed by drummer John Moloney (Sunburned Hand of the Man) and guitarist and bassist Keith Woods (Wooden Wand). –Monica Kendrick
