Following his original Psychic Temple creation with a massive ensemble of noteworthy guest musicians, composer and multi-instrumentalist Chris Schlarb has united another outrageous selection of talent for Psychic Temple II, a progressive mix of pop, jazz, and folk.
“Seventh House,” the album’s opener, lays down a steady groove and acoustic strums for vocalist Sarah Negahdari (touring bassist for Silversun Pickups), whose airy pipes set the mood. Elsewhere, guests range from Sufjan Stevens to Ray Raposa (Castanets), Paul Masvidal (Cynic, Death), Devin Hoff (Nels Cline, Xiu Xiu), and Ikey Owens (Free Moral Agents, The Mars Volta), and amid the Schlarb originals you’ll hear covers of Joe Jackson’s “Steppin’ Out,” Frank Zappa’s “Sofa No. 2,” and Brian Wilson’s “’Til I Die.”
As for “Seventh House,” its video begins innocently enough — before a mysterious (and potentially Wiccan) stranger pays an unexpected visit.