Mammatus

Mammatus are a retro psych-rock band that isn't at all mind-crushing like their heroes in Acid Mothers Temple and High Rise. That's because the Santa Cruz band also worships their hometown heroes in Fu Manchu and Nebula, neo-Mudhoney surfers who cared more for suntanned hooks and dune-buggy grooves than in-the-red distortion. Both are great and so is Mammatus, who apply their style to four epic jams full of rock 'n' roll exotica. "The Outer Rim" even does the Doors' snake-charmer routine. Sweet.