"Distance Inbetween" - The Coral [Official Full Album Stream + Zumic Review]

UK psychedelic rock band The Coral have released their eighth studio album, Distance Inbetween, via Ignition Records.

The 12-track, 44-minute LP was co-produced by the band with Richard Turvey and recorded at Liverpool's Parr Street Studios. Band members on the recording include James Skelly (guitar / vocals), Lee Southall (rhythm guitar / vocals), Paul Duffy (bass / vocals), Ian Skelly (drums), and Nick Power (organ / vocals).

In an interview with NME, frontman James Skelly talked about the album's theme:

It's almost like Mad Men, where what you're seeing and what's going on in everyone's minds are two different things. It can seem like a normal situation, but inside the person's mind, it could be apocalyptic. The first single, "Chasing The Tail Of A Dream," is sort of like that — it's about how your dreams can make you, but they can break you. Sometimes, you've got to know when to stop. I probably won't know when to stop; it'll probably break me.

Distance Inbetween marks the band's first album since 2010's Butterfly House, and finds the group digging deep into the psychedelic sounds of fuzzed out guitars and spacey sound effects. At times throughout the album, The Coral channel the likes of early Pink Floyd sprinkled with the jam heaviness of 13th Floor Elevators.

"Holy Revelation" sounds like a Creedence Clearwater Revival number dosed with gritty guitars while incorporating a southern style vibe. "Chasing the Tail of a Dream" is a pounding piece with tribal drum beats, thick, fuzzed out guitars, and swirling sound effects.

It's not all about uptempo heady rock on the album, as "Beyond the Sun" has an organic feel. "She Runs the River" and "White Bird" highlight soothing harmonies reminiscent of CSNY. The album's title track is the most mellow song here, a piano laced number that will hit you like the warm rays of the sun.

The Coral's 2002 self-titled debut album was a polished mix of spooky, psych-influenced songs, but Distance Inbetween finds The Coral maturing and shifting to a heavier rock sound. They masterfully weave their fingerprint of psychedelia within the notes, making it sound as fresh today as it would have 40 years ago.

Songs we like are "Chasing the Tail of a Dream," "Miss Fortune," "Connector," "White Bird," "Distance Inbetween," "Million Eyes," and "Fear Machine."

Pick up Distance Inbetween on Amazon (Vinyl, CD, MP3). You can also stream the full album above for free, via Spotify.

For the latest music, news, and tour dates from The Coral, check out their Zumic artist page.