With this being their third fully-realised album for the Jagjaguwar label, it would be a mistake to call Pink Mountaintops a side-project, though it is Stephen McBean's other music endeavour, the similarly named Black Mountain, who have gained more of a prominence and following in the last few years, even with just two albums behind them. As the leader, primary songwriter, guitarist and vocalist of both groups, it is rather that McBean uses the two alter-egos to express different parts of his musical visions. While Black Mountain offer up classic psychedelic-tinged heavy rock, Pink Mountaintops take a more epic pop direction, with a barrage of musicians lending their skills to this record, including Destroyer's Ted Bois on piano and organ, Godspeed You! Black Emperor's Sophie Trudeau on a multitude of instruments and voice and Jesse Sykes and many others on various vocal and instrumental duties. With such a plethora of collaborators involved and McBean's classic catchy song-writing, it is no surprise that 'Outside Love' has the lush orchestral pop/rock feel that it does, with soaring vocal choruses and melodic layers of guitar, organ and piano playing a strong role and a vast Americana, classic country-rock sensibility pervading the album. Maybe, with the strength of 'Outside Love', this could be the year that the Pink overtakes the Black for Stephen McBean.'Outside Love' is released on Jagjaguwar on 4th May 2009.
Pink Mountaintops
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