Magic Lantern - Platoon (2010)

Magic Lantern is, in Last.fm's words, a "psychedelic/kraut/space rock band" out of Long Beach. Their most famous member is Cameron Stallones, lead guitarist and vocalist, who performs solo as Sun Araw. Stallones seems to create something good wherever he goes; Magic Lantern's debut, High Beams, was highly acclaimed and his albums Heavy Deeds and On Patrol are in my best-of lists for 2009 and 2010.

While High Beams was an enjoyable album, Platoon seems to take the band where they haven't gone before. The songs are (slightly) shorter and quite a bit more likable, with "Dark Cicadas" being the standout to me here. Unfortunately, according to their Last.fm shoutbox, it appears they've broken up. Hopefully that turns out to be false, as I'm eagerly anticipating whatever may be the next release by this fantastic group.

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