The Good Water are Rob Clements (lead vocals/guitar), Tom Fisher (vocals/drums), and Stuart Webb (vocals/keyboards). Since forming in 2016, The Good Water have picked-up quite a following around their native Midlands with headline shows in Birmingham, not to mention major support shows alongside psych-pop luminaries including Mercury Rev, Super Furry Animals, and Bill Ryder-Jones. They release their debut album `Feel Your Mind` this month
The album opens with `Firmament` whose meaning refers to the vault or expanse of the sky, often envisioned poetically as a solid dome or arch spanning the Earth. The trio imagine that `Firmament` “ questions the mainstream narrative and brings the alternative into sharp focus. Stories are passed down from generation to generation and often time can skew our perception these. The journey of Firmament brings us to the very edge of our own reality… and then questions it.” A wonderful introduction and a number that has some delightful rolling drums, angular guitar riffs and dreamy organ keys with vocals that almost chant “You have reached the incomprehensible” giving it a trippy sixties mantra like ambience. There`s a similar vibe with `Colours` although I felt there was more of a reflective Strawberry Alarm Clock `Incense & Peppermints` atmosphere to it.
`See Your Light` has some enticing fuzzy riffs, organ hues and rolling beats and for me brought to mind the psychedelic pop of the sadly missed The Zombies. We have a faster paced driving hypnotic texture to `Once Twice Now` where the repeated phrase feels like an encouragement of the aphorism Carpe diem or seize the day, live in the moment, making the most of the present, and enjoy today without unnecessarily worrying about what the future might hold.
`Have You seen Her Tonight` is a kind of psychedelic headrush and infatuation or obsession of somebody who really floats your boat. We are taken on a wonderfully kaleidoscopic ride with the mesmerising `Children Of The Sun` which may refer to the Inca Empire who believed their ruling dynasty descended from Inti, the Sun God or indeed Egyptian mythology where similar sentiments were revered.
`Amun-Ra` in essence is the supreme King of the Gods in Egyptian mythology He was the ultimate creator, patron of pharaohs, and symbol of imperial power during the New Kingdom. This cut seemed to be an appreciation of his power and for me tipped its hat to the British acid rock supergroup Cream. We are taken on another nigh on cosmic hallucinogenic voyage with the trippy instrumental jam that is `Breadcrumbs`.
`Suddenly` is an unexpectedly brief almost Beatles tinged observational offering whereas `J’adore`, a French phrase that translates to “I love it” or “I adore” has a classic `Orange Skies` from Love like mood and is a similar soulful, light meditation on falling in love.
`Where We Go From Here` is a melodic rhythmic reflection on a relationship that seems to be at a crossroads but we are led out of the album by `Everything Is` a mesmeric, alluring and enticing nearly nine minute epic opus that takes you by the hand a guides you through a wonderful stimulating melodious musical sensory overload.
I have to admit that i`m from Birmingham and seem to have managed to miss out on the joys of The Good water up to now. While they may be one of the Midlands’ “best kept secrets”, `Feel Your Mind` will hopefully and justifiably establish a far greater exposure. The Good Water are another psychedelic tinged Midlands outfit that we can add to the growing list that includes The Crystal Teardrop, Solar Eyes, Amphibious Priests, Dorcha and Cut Glass Kings.
Rating 9/10
