Since starting Six Organs Of Admittance many years ago, Ben Chasny has released a multitude of albums, with some being a little bit better than the others. All of them are worthwhile releases, it just some of them have that extra little spark that makes them more special. Ascent is such an album.

On this album, Chasny and his collaborators have created a psychedelic masterwork, managing to merge the psych-folk they are known for with expansive psych-rock. The album cover says to play this one loud, and you will want to, especially when Chasny turns up the volume, hits the pedals, and aims his sounds straight for the outer reaches of the cosmos.

“Waswasa,” the album opener, is a slightly uptempo, gritty, heavy instrumental track. The main riff is launched skyward whenever Chasny leans into an extended, feedback drenched solo. “Close To The Sky” features a slow, loping bass groove with some chilled-out vocals and acoustic guitars that blend well together, right before another swath of feedback announces the arrival of another guitar solo, which continues until the end of the song.

“Solar Ascent” is a sombre psych-folk tune, while “Your Ghost” breaks everything down to just an acoustic guitar and vocals. “Even If You Knew” starts off with bells and chimes and builds to a rumble before it mellows out slightly, and then finally breaks into frenzied, plugged-in jamming at the coda.

After listening to this record, you can’t help but think that Rick Rubin picked the wrong psych-rock project fronted by an ex-member of Comets On Fire to back, because if anything this album is more on fire and alive than the quite tame (and over-hyped) Howlin’ Rain album that came out earlier in the year. This is an excellent album that should not be overlooked.

(Drag City Records, PO Box 476867, Chicago, IL 60647)