You didn't need to be at this self described "flower punk" band's recent live "happening" in Fitzroy to "get" this album, because it takes you on a different trip with every listen. As with the critically acclaimed predecessor, Eastern Terrace, Ghost Transmissions offers more tight, catchy pop, sprawling Velvet Underground-inspired jams and good time Canned Heat boogie. The psychedelic vibe is enhanced by tambourine, coconuts, handclaps, marimba and groove box, as well as trippy production techniques such as panning and echo effects.
The Pebbles aren't a career band; they have other jobs and rarely tour. But that may change, because, unlike on Eastern Terrace, there's only one song longer than five minutes here - the near 12-minute brain massage epic 'Black Sun Ensemble', which shows suspenseful restraint and flows like lava. Hits abound, such as the slow-burner 'Big Left', in which you can almost feel the serotonin rise as Andrew Tanner says over shimmering guitars, 'as we turn our faces to the sun', while instrumental 'Sioux City Falls' has the airy euphoria of the Flaming Lips. Best heard on a sunny winter's stroll with good headphones.

- Patrick Donovan