Review by Adam Jones - MUSIC FARMER 5
A Sonic Odyssey into Yesterday's Tomorrow with "The Plastic Raincoat Sound"
The Plastic Raincoat Sound is not just a moniker - it's a mission statement; encapsulating a psychedelic timbre in music akin to the haunting echo of rain pelting a plastic coat in the gloaming twilight. Fabian Stein, the virtuoso behind the artist, has curated a unique and enthralling aural universe with his latest single, “Maybe In A Different Reality”.
Opening with a playfully eccentric concoction of toy train "choo-choo"-type whistles, Stein immediately sets the stage for a journey - but not just any journey - a sonic trip reminiscent of the psychedelic odyssey of the late 1960's. This peculiar intro lures us into a mystical soundscape, with a Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-esque air to it. In this musical rabbit hole, you don’t fall, but rather float and meander through cosmic vistas and nostalgic memories.
Stein then introduces an arpeggiated guitar, ushering in a sense of rhythm and direction, subtly hinting at the sonic sojourn to follow. It's closely tailed by a grooving bass guitar and a sophisticated staccato-stop kick drum that further enriches the soundscape. The arrangement, carefully planned and intricately layered, showcases Stein's craftsmanship.
The vocals, which enter like a specter in this phantasmal journey, draw comparisons to rock titans like The Doors’ Jim Morrison and The Beatles’ John Lennon. These comparisons, however, only serve as rudimentary reference points, as Fabian Stein’s vocal performance transcends the boundaries of imitation, carving a unique identity for The Plastic Raincoat Sound.
Immersed in psychedelic effects, the vocals make you feel as if you’re on an interstellar journey, floating through the nebulous cosmos. The bridge then introduces a looping guitar riff that gets subtly filtered into obscurity, making you feel like you're traveling through a sonic black hole. This transitory phase in the track is then punctuated by the triumphant return of the drums, hitting back in with unrestrained vigor.
The song reverts to its verse/chorus structure, with the psychedelic vocals resuming their auditory dance. Ending on a thunderous note with a powerful drum thrashing against the ensemble, Stein switches quickly to a new unfamiliar chord, bestowing an air of mystery that leaves the listeners yearning for more. It's as if the song's completion thrusts you into an alternate universe.
