Khana Bierbood
Monolam
Guruguru Brain [2024]
“From vibrant rhythms to introspective textures, Monolam redefines what Thai psychedelia can be.”
Album Overview: Khana Bierbood, translating to “Strange Brew” in Thai, is a psych-rock band from Bangsaen, a coastal suburb of Bangkok. Their sound blends traditional Thai music, surf rock, and garage influences, reflecting the cultural exchange of the ’60s when American records shaped local tastes. Their 2019 debut, Strangers From The Far East, established them as pioneers in modern Thai psychedelia. With their second album, Monolam, Khana Bierbood collaborates with Go Kurosawa from Kikagaku Moyo as producer. Recorded at TMM Studios in Bangkok, the album builds on their energetic rock foundation while venturing into more textured, groove-driven soundscapes. Compared to their debut, Monolam takes more stylistic risks, featuring bold tempo changes and inventive arrangements. The album balances nostalgia with a forward-thinking approach, drawing inspiration from personal experiences and Thai cinema.
Musical Style: Khana Bierbood’s music fuses surf-inspired rhythms, vintage psych-rock, and traditional Thai melodies. Their experimentation with structure and tone creates an intricate yet approachable listening experience, uniquely rooted in cultural intersections.
Evolution of Sound: Monolam showcases significant growth compared to their debut. The album deepens Khana Bierbood’s emotional and musical range, with cleaner production and funk-inspired rhythms layered over their retro rock influences. The four-year gap between albums has paid off—these eight tracks feel tighter and more focused, highlighting the band’s refined musicianship.
Artists with Similar Fire: Fans of Kikagaku Moyo, Altin Gün, or La Luz will appreciate Khana Bierbood’s blend of surf rock, psychedelia, and cultural homage. Their sound also recalls the Southeast Asian psych movement of the ’70s and Western acts like The Ventures.
Pivotal Tracks: “Fi Rak Senae-ha” stands out with its effortless blend of global rhythm patterns and the band’s signature psychedelic sound, creating a vibrant and immersive experience. “Sang Xaswin” is a rollercoaster of textures, moving between explosive bursts of guitar energy and calmer, reflective moments before building back up to a thrilling end. Similarly, the closing track, “Srang Sue,” maximizes its over-five-minute runtime, employing a comparable ebb and flow with its guitar flare that keeps listeners captivated. In contrast, “Sam Pa Yeur” adopts a more introspective tone, pairing spoken-word elements with atmospheric arrangements that underscore the album’s experimental spirit. These tracks collectively showcase Khana Bierbood’s talent for balancing bold innovation with emotional depth.
Lyrical Strength: The lyrics of Monolam delve into personal reflections and cultural stories, drawing inspiration from Thai dramas and films. Themes of love, adventure, and loss are explored with poetic depth, giving the album a cinematic quality that resonates with listeners.
KHANA BIERBOOD REVIEW HISTORY
Strangers From The Far East (2019)
KHANA BIERBOOD LINKS
Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Guruguru Brain
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