The Third Eye

A rad new release from the psych-pop mastermind Bill Baird is coming our way via the great Perpetual Doom. Actually, two releases are on the way. Astral Suitcase and Soundtrack will both be available on April 8th, two fascinating albums with contrasting styles from an artist Tiny Mix Tapes has dubbed “one of the last living rock ‘n roll geniuses.”

Astral Suitcase is inspired by the otherworldly terrain of Iceland, where it was recorded alongside producer Ulfur Hansson, and offers nine tracks of towering synth rock. The companion album, Soundtrack, presents to us a series of instrumental compositions. Both albums released on the same day result in a dynamic one-two punch of immersive listening with roots in the experimental and post-classical traditions. Baird trades primarily in folk-rock, but there are plenty of abstract nuances that’ll appeal to psychedelic fans.

Baird’s plan for the twin albums was similar to David Bowie’s groundbreaking album Low: “once side mutant-pop, the other cerebral landscapes.” Baird and his producer, Hansson, used the Eventide harmonizer on the new records, which defined Bowie’s sound on Low. For Baird, it infuses his compositions with a frostiness that feels at once alien and deeply personal.

Baird and Hansson spent time together at Mills College, a gathering place for musical avant-garde legends like John Cage. They both come from radically different styles, too: Baird has worked with large ensembles, while Hansson once designed the segulharpa instrument used by Bjork.

As for the music itself, Baird says the songs on both albums are designed to transport you. The spontaneity and strangeness of Bard’s journey to Iceland are embedded in the tracks, as he says, “The record sounds like Iceland to me. The wide open spaces, the steamy air rising from the volcanic expanse, the liberating confusion of being a foreigner stumbling around a new town, the hopeful longing of the landscape.”

I got a chance to listen to both albums and was immediately impressed by Astral Suitcase. The two singles are “Night of The Living Dad” and “World Series of Solitare,” two songs that offer lush soundscapes. “World Series of Solitare” has an epic Eighties synth-rock feel, but it’s not over-the-top – the song flows effortlessly with Baird’s point-blank vocal delivery, the power chords, and the waves of icy synthesizer. In addition to the clever title, “Night of The Living Dad” also harkens back to an up-tempo Eighties tune, giving me Twin Peaks flashbacks (which premiered in 1990, but you get the point).

In contrast to Astral Suitcase, the instrumental compositions on Soundtrack are mostly softer and slower. It’s an album heavy on synth and electronic effects, but they’re utilized in different ways and for different purposes. I noticed that even the album covers of Astral Suitcase and Soundtrack have contrasting color schemes. Astral Suitcase is mostly blue and frosty, while Soundtrack opts for fiery orange and hot pink. This could have been done purposely, but either way, it shows how the twin albums offer contrasting styles.

The release of both albums on April 8th is still a ways away, but it’ll be worth the wait. Astral Suitcase and Soundtrack are two unique records from a highly acclaimed underground musician that, until now, I wasn’t aware of. That says more about my lack of knowledge than anything on Bill Baird’s part. While checking out the new records, head to Bill’s Bandcamp page, where you can purchase his discography of 63 releases for the insanely low price of $7. You can’t beat a deal like that these days. Enjoy!

Pre-order Astral Suitcase by Bill Baird on Bandcamp here.

Pre-order Soundtrack by Bill Baird on Bandcamp here.

Support Bill Baird by finding him on Bandcamp or his official website.

Support Perpetual Doom by finding them on Bandcamp, their official website, or social media (Twitter, Patreon, Instagram, YouTube).

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