Agouti’s Nodes is a dream pop stroll through indie, alternative and psychedelic rock. The band is fronted by producer and songwriter Carmen Caruso on lead vocals and bass. The vocals are forefront with layered rock and indie styled vocals that come through with clarity and strength. The arrangements are psychedelic with swirling synth, layered vocal harmonies, overdriven guitar lines and steady driving bass and drums. The sound balances psychedelic rock with pop sensibilities for a charming album with wonderful arrangements and catchy songs.
Agouti is from San Francisco, California and is the project of Carmen Caruso. Agouti is inspired by the 60s and 70s psych rock with modern pop influences. The first single from the album was released in 2016 titled, ‘Summertime’ followed by ‘Chameleon’ in 2017. Agouti’s Nodes was released in May of 2019 and is now available on green vinyl through Agouti’s website.
Nodes is driven by the bass and synth which together develop the primary instrumental arrangements for the album. There are clear influences from 70s progressive psychedelic rock movement and contemporary synth pop. The guitarist Dakota Salazar lays down excellent guitar lines to enhance the vibe of the album. The guitar is most impressive on the performance in the song ‘The Point”.
The lyrical content of the album is introspective and dreamy. Poetic descriptions of life and the city environment are sprinkled throughout the songs. Equally important is the use of natural imagery including summertime, mountains, and rivers. The emotional content in the lyrics comes forward amidst the lyrical descriptions. A longing and forlorn reflection on the past and the progress of relationships also stretches across the music. The overall effect is poetic with Carmen Caruso’s wonderful voice and her ability to transmit an effective feeling through each song. From: https://www.powmagazine.org/music-reviews/melt-into-poetic-psychedelic-rock-with-agouti-nodes/
