With Wondrous Bughouse, Powers has deftly managed his expanded musical toolset to craft an impressively sophisticated and compelling--yet often unsettling--collection of psych-noise arrangements, with much to burrow into and explore on repeat listens.
Though the songs themselves are wonderful, that's the powerful source Powers taps into here: if you feel like the dark center of the universe or simply need a little space, Wondrous Bughouse obliges.
Tiptoeing through the dark fairytale forests of ‘Sleep Paralysis’ can be fun, but this is so woozy-sounding it should come with a warning not to operate heavy machinery while listening.
The density of its production and the slipperiness of its song structures ensures that this album isn’t for everyone. But for those with a high tolerance for psychedelic whimsy and the time to invest in repeated listens, Wondrous Bughouse offers ample pleasures.
The production values mean that, even though Powers' reverent anthems aren't a huge departure from what he's done in the past, the results have added gravitas.
With both the humor and production style of his densely layered music remaining overwrought, Wondrous Bughouse leaves a distinct impression that it was a lot more fun to make than it is to listen to.
This is a gorgeously lush listen, but it takes patience and persistence. While The Year of Hibernation may have been more accessible, and hadThis is a gorgeously lush listen, but it takes patience and persistence. While The Year of Hibernation may have been more accessible, and had some organic moments that Wondrous Bughouse lacks, Powers' sophomore followup is a wholly rewarding listen that has stronger songwriting, better production, and a more realized sense of scope. There is room for improvement, but nevertheless, Trevor Powers has outdone himself this time around.…Expand
A beautifully haunting head-phones album that sounds just as good blaring from your speakers. The songs are more diverse and varied from YouthA beautifully haunting head-phones album that sounds just as good blaring from your speakers. The songs are more diverse and varied from Youth Lagoon's debut, and offer far more enjoyable listening experiences. It may not be as approachable or tuneful, but the instrumentation is more robust and full-sounding and the lyrical content expands to provide some thought provoking tracks. It's a wonderful album that makes a strong case as one of 2013's best…Collapse
The first words that came to mind as I first listened to Wondrous Bughouse was "It's like a wall of sound!" And the fact that Trevor PowersThe first words that came to mind as I first listened to Wondrous Bughouse was "It's like a wall of sound!" And the fact that Trevor Powers looks like a young Phil Spector makes it ever more so. The song "Attic Doctor" is my favorite. It goes up and down and around like being on a merry-go-round. Actually, the whole album is like one cosmic merry-go-round taking us for a ride around the universe! Or maybe, like being on a merry-go-round while on acid. lol Good job, Trevor.…Expand
C'est, pour moi, un album incontournable de l'année 2013. Trevor Powers présente un album étrange, empreint d'un certain surréalisme. CetteC'est, pour moi, un album incontournable de l'année 2013. Trevor Powers présente un album étrange, empreint d'un certain surréalisme. Cette œuvre présente plusieurs éléments hors de l'ordinaire en commençant par la grande qualité du mix psycho-ambiant des compositions. C'est un tour de force. Âgé de seulement 23années, Powers agence les 10 chansons de l'album avec une expertise accomplie. Cette notion fortifie l'album et créer une unité extravagante et déjantée. En autres mots, l'album mérite d'être écouté dans son ensemble dans le but d'en tirer l'essence des compositions dans son entièreté. Powers ajoute sa voix febrile aux textes porteurs de rêve, de thématiques religieuses et d'une certaine innocence: « The water talks to me – It teaches me to swim. - Watching myself bathe- without never going in. – The currents sings to me - in crowning harmony. - A reel without film - To watch is not to see» (The Bath). Certaines sonorité sont dans la même ligné que DeerHunter ou même Tame Impala. Le tour de force de Powers aura été de laisser de l'espace aux textes alors que les procédés musicaux de Wondrous Bughouse occasionnent de lourdes mélodies ainsi que de pesantes ambiances.…Expand
While It's not as immediately loveable as Youth Lagoon's debut, "Wondrous Bughouse" delivers layes of lush, lo-fi psychedelic sound that afterWhile It's not as immediately loveable as Youth Lagoon's debut, "Wondrous Bughouse" delivers layes of lush, lo-fi psychedelic sound that after a bit of patience, becomes easy to get lost in. While Wondrous Bughouse serves as a fan pleaser, it's a bit debatable for a first time listener. Compared to the bottommost recording quality of the debut, it's a more well produced and cleaner listen. "Wondrous Bughouse", in many ways is a good record, but lacks hastily what made the debut so special.…Expand
