B-Side Guys

Evolution in psychedelic music often requires dismantling previous approaches to discover new possibilities. St. Petersburg’s Liquid Pennies understand this process intimately, and their fourth studio album Fore arrives as both culmination of seven years of creative development and bold reinvention of their established sound. Working with producer Ryan Boesch on his newly launched Threat Collection Records, the band has created their most sophisticated and challenging work yet—eight tracks that reward careful attention while maintaining the kinetic energy that has defined their live performances.

The album opens with “Tapered Scape,” a track that immediately signals the band’s expanded sonic palette. Beginning with synthesizer arpeggiation rather than their typical live-drum foundation, the song demonstrates how Liquid Pennies have reimagined their creative process without abandoning their essential character. Binns’ lyrics here operate as linguistic puzzles—phrases like “Encroaching coded fenced between eroded” and “Facade of fringing frets futile in unrest” create meaning through rhythmic density and alliterative patterns rather than conventional narrative. The writing suggests landscape as psychological state, where physical barriers mirror internal constraints. This approach to language as texture rather than simple communication enhances the album’s overall aesthetic of controlled complexity.

“Ready Tide” represents one of the album’s most significant departures, becoming the first Liquid Pennies track to exclude guitar entirely. The song’s reliance on synthesizers and Matt Flynn’s flute work creates atmospheric space that might initially surprise longtime followers but ultimately expands their understanding of what the band can accomplish. Rather than feeling like experiment for its own sake, the track demonstrates how creative limitations can enhance rather than restrict artistic expression.

The album’s centerpiece, “Echolalia,” unfolds across eleven minutes that justify their length through genuine musical development rather than indulgent repetition. The track’s lyrical exploration of communication breakdown feels particularly relevant—lines like “Echo of all you condoned” and “An echo wandering from wall to wall in order to locate” suggest how modern discourse often becomes trapped in repetitive cycles. Binns examines the gap between intention and reception, writing “You had to speculate to go ahead and try / And in an extra step tripped and lept awry.” The musical structure mirrors this thematic content through repeating motifs that evolve subtly throughout, creating sonic representation of the echo chamber effect the lyrics describe.

“Sight Skewer” showcases the band’s ability to integrate their heavier tendencies with their newly expanded electronic palette. The track’s lyrical focus on perception—”Relieve eloping eyes / Alleviate design”—provides perfect framework for examining how Liquid Pennies themselves have refined their artistic vision. Binns writes about clarity emerging from confusion: “Moving horizons from a point askew to focally refined,” suggesting how the band’s own sonic evolution mirrors the song’s themes of sharpened perception. The production choices create clarity that allows each element to contribute meaningfully without overwhelming the composition’s essential structure.

“Elliptic Triptych” demonstrates how the band’s krautrock influences inform their approach to repetition and variation. The track functions as meditation on movement and change, suggesting how cyclical patterns can create forward momentum while Binns’ vocals navigate the complex rhythmic terrain. The piece serves as crucial breathing space within the album’s dense conceptual framework while maintaining both lyrical and musical interest through subtle development.

“Further Ennui” continues the album’s exploration of darker emotional territory, using electronic textures to create atmosphere that supports rather than replaces traditional rock instrumentation. The track’s brief duration—under three minutes—prevents it from overstaying its welcome while providing necessary contrast to the longer compositions that surround it. This attention to pacing demonstrates sophisticated understanding of how album structure can enhance individual song impact.

“The Bone” functions as the album’s emotional climax, featuring the return of former member Zoë Turtle on violin and vocals alongside a full string section. The track’s lyrics explore themes of persistence and inevitability—”Slow wit goes back down to the bone”—suggesting how fundamental experiences shape identity regardless of surface changes. Binns’ writing here feels more direct than elsewhere on the album, with phrases like “Begging for the bone” creating visceral imagery that grounds the album’s more abstract conceptual elements. The integration of orchestral elements with these earthier lyrics creates compelling tension between refinement and rawness.

The album concludes with the brief title track “Fore,” an instrumental piece that provides appropriate closure without overstating its importance. At under two minutes, the track suggests completion rather than exhaustion, leaving listeners with sense of resolution that doesn’t preclude future exploration.

What makes Fore particularly compelling is how it treats genre boundaries as creative opportunities rather than restrictions. The band’s influences—ranging from The Mars Volta to Brian Eno to Joy Division—appear integrated rather than imitated, creating music that honors its sources while establishing distinct identity. This balance prevents the album from feeling derivative despite its clear debts to psychedelic and post-punk traditions.

The album’s recording process, utilizing both Candor Recording in Tampa and Change Room Studios in St. Pete, demonstrates how geographical proximity can enhance rather than limit creative collaboration. Boesch’s production work maintains clarity despite the dense arrangements, ensuring that experimental elements serve the songs rather than overwhelming them. His experience with artists like St. Vincent and the Melvins clearly informs his approach to balancing accessibility with innovation.

The band’s expanded lineup—with Mink and Whicker joining founding member Binns—creates creative tension that enhances rather than complicates their established sound. Rather than simply adding instrumentation, the new members contribute distinct perspectives that push the band toward territories they might not have explored alone. This collaborative spirit prevents Fore from feeling like solo project disguised as band effort.

The album’s limited vinyl releases—including “Electric Ice Melt” and “Astral Pulse” variants—demonstrate understanding that physical media can enhance rather than simply package musical content. These editions acknowledge that certain music benefits from the ritual and attention that vinyl listening requires, particularly work as dense and rewarding as Fore.

Fore succeeds because it understands that effective psychedelic music must engage both visceral and intellectual responses. Liquid Pennies have created album that satisfies immediate listening pleasure while revealing additional layers upon return visits. In expanding their sonic palette without abandoning their essential character, they’ve demonstrated how artistic evolution can enhance rather than diminish creative identity.

Most importantly, Fore establishes Liquid Pennies as band capable of sustained artistic growth rather than simple stylistic variation. Their willingness to challenge both their own assumptions and listener expectations suggests creative trajectory that remains compelling rather than predictable.