Indie Dock Music Blog

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Dan Gober – Stoned Supreme
In the ever-crowding pantheon of modern psychedelia, where bedroom producers flirt with cosmic sounds whilst barely leaving their duvet-encased cocoons, Dan Gober's "Stoned Supreme" arrives like a meteorite crashing through the ceiling of convention.

Gober, previously a somewhat peripheral figure in the underground circuit, has crafted something quite extraordinary here—a record that manages to both pay homage to the lysergic explorers of yesteryear whilst carving out territory that feels thrillingly contemporary. It's the sonic equivalent of finding an undiscovered Shackleton diary, detailing expeditions to territories both familiar and utterly alien.


The opening salvo immediately establishes Gober's intent: this is music designed to alter consciousness rather than merely soundtrack it. Bass frequencies rumble with tectonic intensity beneath layers of precisely calibrated distortion, creating a magnificent tension between order and chaos. One is reminded of early Spacemen 3, if they'd been produced by Martin Hannett during his most obsessive studio period.


What separates "Stoned Supreme" from the legions of psych revivalists is Gober's remarkable restraint. Where lesser artists might pile on effects until all structure collapses under its own weight, Gober knows precisely when to pull back, allowing moments of startling clarity to emerge from the beautiful murk. It's this architectural precision that elevates the work from mere pastiche to something genuinely transportive.


The middle section's gradual disintegration into a swirling vortex of processed vocals and delay-drenched instrumentation could easily become tiresome in less skilled hands. Yet Gober navigates these treacherous waters with the confidence of a seasoned psychonaut, never losing sight of the melodic thread that guides both artist and listener through the labyrinth.


There are moments when one detects the influence of Bristol's trip-hop pioneers alongside the more obvious touchstones of Hawkwind and early Pink Floyd. This curious temporal displacement—simultaneously evoking both 1971 and 1994—creates a pleasingly disorienting effect, rather like viewing a familiar landscape through a kaleidoscope.


The single's final movement represents Gober's most assured work to date. As the fog lifts and rhythmic elements reassert themselves, there's an almost euphoric quality to the conclusion—not the cheap ecstasy of EDM's manipulative drop, but something more profound and hard-earned. One emerges from the experience feeling both exhausted and strangely cleansed.


"Stoned Supreme" will undoubtedly be too challenging for those seeking immediate gratification from their psychedelic experiences. This is not music for the casual tripper or weekend shaman. Rather, it demands complete surrender and focused attention—qualities increasingly rare in our fragmented listening culture.


In an era where most allegedly "mind-expanding" music merely repackages familiar tropes with slightly updated production values, Gober has created something genuinely disruptive and essential. "Stoned Supreme" stands as a monolith amid the disposable detritus of contemporary psychedelia—a work to be returned to repeatedly, revealing new dimensions with each listen.