Dwellers Corrupt Translation Machine CD Review
Salt Lake City’s resident Stoner Psych shamans, The Dwellers, have emerged from the haze with “Corrupt Translation Machine”, their first release in over a decade. Why wait so long? Who knows and honestly, who cares, because this album RIPS!
Released once again through the ever-reliable Small Stone Records, this album caught me completely off guard. I’d heard whispers about The Dwellers from friends deep in the scene, but I’d never given them a proper listen. That changed fast. One spin of this new record and I was neck-deep on their Bandcamp page, soaking up everything like a long-parched desert wanderer finally stumbling upon an oasis.
What sets The Dwellers apart is their refusal to be pinned down by genre conventions. Sure, there are Stoner and Psych elements, but this is no cookie-cutter Doom-and-fuzz affair. This is Progressive Heavy Blues, channeling a moody, sprawling energy that’s equal parts Pink Floyd and ’90s alt-rock. Yep, you heard me, there’s a serious Alice in Chains vibe here, and surprisingly, it works. Normally, that grungy flavor might be a deal breaker for me, but these guys pull it off with conviction.
The band feels locked in, confident, and utterly comfortable in their skin. What really stands out is how lyric driven this album is. “Corrupt Translation Machine” plays like a thinking man’s Stoner record - rich with soul, intent, and depth. The vocals are melodic, the lyrics thoughtful, and the production hits that sweet spot.
Standout tracks: “Marigold,” “Spiral Vision,” “The Sermon,” “Headlines,” and “Old Ways.”
Don’t sleep on this one light one up, drop the needle, and let it carry you away.