Alan Bishop's 'Malarial Dream': Psychedelic Desert Blues Return

Alan Bishop's new release, 'Malarial Dream,' under his Alvarius B. moniker, presents a compelling fusion of intense rock with psychedelic, folk, and desert blues elements. This album captures the exploratory spirit that defined his former band, Sun City Girls, which disbanded after the passing of drummer Charlie Gocher in 2007. The seven instrumentals and single ballad on 'Malarial Dream' draw parallels to Sun City Girls' classic 'Torch of the Mystics' and their posthumous release 'Funeral Mariachi'.

The album opens with "Rock N' Roll," a high-energy track that might suggest a straightforward return to basics. However, Bishop's signature complexity soon emerges, as heard in "The Multiple Hallucinations of an Assassin - Part 2." This seven-minute piece delves into atmospheric guitar work, ritualistic rhythms, and incorporates instruments like the quanun and darbuka.

Bishop's meticulous approach to songwriting and execution is evident throughout 'Malarial Dream.' Tracks like the wistful "Later" evoke the cinematic quality of Ennio Morricone's Western scores. "Texas Headphones" evolves into a captivating jam, while "One Month Non-Sexual Vacation in Mongolia" highlights collaborator Sam Shalabi's oud performance.