Listen: Rangers, "Pan Am Stories"

Given that San Francisco based multi-instrumentalist Joe Knight released his third album, Pan Am Stories, in November of last year via his own Not Not Fun Records, it would seem we missed the flight. Luckily for us, though, Knight's gummy, lo-fi pop is an exercise in journey-not-destination psychedelia. The album is full of meandering psych-guitar melodies wrapped in gauzy layers of fuzz and feedback, and occasionally accompanied by Knight's short-circuiting, cat-scratched vocals--see "Zombies (Day)" and its sunset sister, "Zombies (Night)." Despite its viscous, at times prog leanings (most songs are well over the 4-minute mark), Knight keeps us engaged through his wonderful sense of trance-like melody and detailed atmosphere. The aforementioned "Zombies" are his two most accomplished tracks in terms of cohesive pop singles, and their ability to stand alone is also what makes them stand out from the rest of the album. In much the same way the album cover's disjointedly patchwork images suggest a struggle to maintain cohesion as they orbit the setting sun and silhouetted (Pan Am) flight, so too does Knight's album seem like a collection of patchwork tracks revolving around these two gems and the 13+ minute "Zeke's Dream," a perfectly disjointed psychedelic piece reminiscent of Pink Floyd's 13-minute recording, "Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast." Then again, perhaps it's precisely this patchwork journey in which Knight is so invested. Perhaps we're mistakingly labeling these unexpected detours and colorful side-trips as disjointed when they are precisely what define a journey in the truest sense. Certainly a journey needs a destination, but the best of journeys unfurl in unexpected directions. Perhaps Knight's minimal vocal work is simply reflective of what a good pilot does well--speaks to us only when necessary and allows us to enjoy our journey through the imagery its experience conjures. Album closer "Bad Flan" takes us in for a gentle, classical guitar-picked landing. Thanks to AlteredZones for the following selection of tracks:

Rangers: Pan Am Stories (LP1) by alteredzones