Album Review: Mythos Folkways Vol No 2 Pre American Lands by Raccoooooon Woods
Alright, so I stumbled across this gem the other day—Mythos Folkways Vol No 2 Pre American Lands by Raccoooooon Woods. Released back in 2006 on Not Not Fun Records, it’s one of those albums that feels like it was made for late-night headphone sessions when you're kinda lost in your own head. The genre? Rock—but not just any rock. This is Psychedelic Rock meets Experimental chaos, all wrapped up in a lo-fi hug. And honestly? It works.
First off, let me say—the tracklist alone gives off serious wanderlust vibes. Songs like “Painted Cave” and “Shine On” are standouts, but there's something about all of them that feels like they belong together. Like they’re telling some weird, sprawling story only Raccoooooon Woods understands fully.
Now, let’s talk specifics because, hey, no one wants to read an album review without hearing what makes it memorable.
“Painted Cave” kicks things off with this eerie, hypnotic vibe. It’s got this droning guitar line that loops around your brain like smoke curling outta a campfire. You can almost picture yourself standing at the mouth of some ancient cave, staring into the dark while the world spins slowly behind you. There’s no big explosive moment or anything flashy—it’s more like the song just breathes its way through you. Super chill, super trippy. Perfect if you're into music that feels like it came from another dimension.
Then there’s “Shine On,” which flips the script completely. Where “Painted Cave” feels introspective and kinda haunting, “Shine On” bursts open with this bright, almost euphoric energy. It’s messy as hell though—not in a bad way, but like someone spilled paint everywhere and decided to call it art. The vocals sound distant, like they were recorded underwater, but somehow that adds to the charm. By the time the drums kick in halfway through, you’re fully along for the ride, even if you have no clue where it’s going.
Other tracks like “Weed Of The Ocean” and “Torrid Sun” keep the vibe alive too. They’re less immediate than the first two, but still packed with enough quirky details to make repeat listens rewarding. Honestly, every song here feels like it could soundtrack a road trip through some surreal desert landscape. Think Joshua Tree meets… uh, maybe Mars?
What really sticks with me about this album is how unpolished it feels. Like, it doesn’t care about being perfect or fitting neatly into any box. That rawness gives it personality—which is rare these days. Sometimes it falters, sure, but isn’t that part of the fun? It’s like hanging out with a friend who tells great stories but occasionally loses their train of thought. You don’t mind because the journey itself is worth it.
So yeah, Mythos Folkways Vol No 2 Pre American Lands. An oddball little record that probably flew under most people’s radar back in ’06. But if you dig psychedelic rock with experimental twists—and don’t mind getting a little lost now and then—you should totally check it out. Just be warned: once you press play, you might find yourself zoning out for hours. Oh, and here’s a random thought to leave you with—if raccoons had opposable thumbs AND instruments, would they jam like this? Food for thought.
