Almost all rock at this late date is an emulation of some stylistic tic from the music's rich history. Today's most interesting rock artists elaborate on—or combine in fresh, ingenious ways—influences that veer off the beaten path (Devo, Talking Heads, Joy Division, and Gang of Four are played out; dig deeper, people).

While most of Psychic Ills' Brooklyn peers peddle coked-up new-wave mannerisms that pall from over-familiarity, the Ills tap into a more aqueous, opiated vein of rock that entrances more than it prances. The quartet's debut full-length, Dins, is created by musicians who've done deep research and channeled their inspirations into songs that glint with many fascinating facets from underground psychedelia's peaks (think Dr. John's Gris-Gris, Electric Prunes' I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night), early Loop).

Besides those touchstones, Psychic Ills use 13th Floor Elevators' eerie, heat-mirage throb as their default mode, but the homage is oblique (no electrified-jug bleeps here). Structurally, Dins resembles the Red Krayola's Parable of Arable Land with its dream-logic alternation between quasi-conventional songs and amorphous staggers down the sonic halls of mirrors. Of the latter trope, "Untitled" is notable for its ring-modulated vortexes of guitar stardust that evoke Lard Free's awesome "Spirale Malax." But it's the galloping-into-the-sun trance rock of "Another Day Another Night" that finds Psychic Ills dispensing bliss elixir of strongest potency. Welcome to their golden-dawn soundtrack.

segal@thestranger.com