SXSW Record Reviews
Sunflower Bean
Human Ceremony (Fat Possum)
Reviewed by María Núñez, Fri., March 18, 2016
Easy to tell Sunflower Bean recorded debut LP Human Ceremony in their teens. Referencing Dylan, Kahlo, and Dalí on the album art, and employing blunt influences (Black Sabbath, David Bowie) in their music, the Brooklyn trio depict themselves as the try-hard hipster kids in class. Flooding with existential crisis ("I just don't know my place in the world"), their angst comes accentuated by random stadium rock breaks ("Creation Myth") and fuzzy vox ("Come On"). Despite the messiness of searching for their sound, they balance modern psych and glam rock with obvious pride. (Fri., 1am, Parish)