There’s a certain timeless element of ‘60s psychedelic rock which keeps people listening, even several decades later. Several decades after The Beatles heyday, some newer bands draw from this interesting style of rock and inject its sound into its music. One of these bands is Australian psychedelic rock group Tame Impala.
Though the band was founded in 2007, its musical style will make most people draw comparisons to The Beatles. Its sound frequently consists of echoed voices and guitar riffs, while lyrically it often explores loss, typically negative or hurtful relationships and growing older. Considering the genre, several of its music videos unsurprisingly depict colorful imagery, interesting shapes and depictions of reality with weird twists. Tame Impala has released three studio albums which include “Innerspeaker” (2010), “Lonerism” (2012) and “Currents” (2015).
The band’s debut album “Innerspeaker” was met with critical acclaim. Listeners noted the band’s refreshing, newer spin on an older, yet timeless sound of ‘60s psychedelic rock music. With the song “It’s Not Meant To Be,” a character continually tells himself his current relationship will last, but deep down he realizes it probably won’t. “Desire Be, Desire Go” is a song many Millennials can relate to as they confront adult life. It exhibits anxiety over a routine life, with a 9-5 job and an unfulfilled life. The subjects in the song pledge to break out of dull routines.
“Lonerism,” the band’s next album, continued and expanded its critical acclaim. Additionally, its nomination for Best Alternative Group at the 2013 Grammys signaled an expansion of its commercial success. It contained one of Tame Impala’s hits, “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards.” It’s about a character that is friends with a girl who he loves deep down. He doesn’t know whether to move on from his thoughts, or keep hope that they can be more than friends someday.
“Currents” is Tame Impala’s most recent album, which was met with critical acclaim yet again. It has grown the band’s popularity even more, as it was nominated for “Alternative Album of the Year” at the 2016 Grammys. The prominent theme of this album is getting older and the changes that come with it. The song, “The Less I Know The Better” talks about a character who sees his love interest leave a gathering with another guy, realizing she likes someone else instead of him. “Love/Paranoia” depicts a guy who is constantly worried about his relationship, which inevitably causes friction between him and his girlfriend.
Tame Impala has successfully garnered the attention of critics and audiences alike, despite making music in a genre outside of the mainstream. With relatable song topics and relaxing, interesting sounds, Tame Impala has grown its popularity and improved its material with each passing album.
