The Dream Syndicate previews The Universe Inside with trippy videos

"The Regulator" (shot by David Dalglish) is off Dream Syndicate's new album, The Universe Inside – out April 10th – see all the clips below.

Here's the scoop...

The Dream Syndicate - The Universe Inside 

When The Dream Syndicate emerged in the early 80s, frontman Steve Wynn declared that “we’re playing music we want to hear because nobody else is doing it” – he added, “I’ll comprise on what I eat or where I sleep, but I won’t compromise on what music I play.”

Both were true, and although their template of Velvet Underground meets Crazy Horse may seem commonplace today (and let’s not forget, the Syndicate spawned many imitators), their raw twin guitar, bass and drums approach was not common during an era when slick polished MTV bands ruled. The band were uncompromising. But before MTV switched to reality shows, they were no more.

After 23 years, they reemerged in 2012 with a slight change in lineup - guitarist Jason Victor replaced Paul B. Cutler - and after a blaze of touring, they recorded their first album in decades, How Did I Find Myself Here? The album was surprisingly fresh. The addition of former Green on Red keyboardist Chris Cacavas provided lush textures previously unknown in their guitar-based music but maybe even more surprising was a vocal cameo from co-founding member, Kendra Smith.

More touring (joined by now official member Cacavas) followed quickly by another album These Times – which refined the sonic landscapes explored on How Did I Find Myself Here?
This band is not regurgitating old albums and previous glories, but developing with the same urgency that a pack of youngsters would.

Which brings us to the band's 7th album, The Universe Inside, slated for release via ANTI- on April 10th. Every press release ever written will claim “this is new and different” – well, damn it, it is! Just look at the song lengths: 20:27, 7:36, 8:56, 9:55 and 10:53. Ok, sure – the Syndicate have occasionally committed a long song to vinyl, “John Coltrane Stereo Blues” was 9 minutes with live versions over the ten-minute mark.

However, when one thinks of the Dream Syndicate, it’s not just the wild abandon with which singer/guitarist Wynn, drummer Dennis Duck, bassist Mark Walton, and lead guitarist Jason Victor perform – it’s the carefully constructed songwriting of Wynn that comes to mind. By now every rock critic in the country has predetermined who he or she feels Wynn reminds them of and what they think of that style of songs. This time, don’t!

For the first time, every song is a group songwriting effort. What seeps in are Dennis Duck’s knowledge of European avantgarde music, Jason Victor’s passion for 70s prog, Mark Walton’s experience in Southern-fried music collectives and Wynn’s love of vintage electric jazz. The dazzling display of album cover artwork alone should clue you into the changes.

Watch the suitably trippy David Dalglish videos for "The Regulator," "The Longing," "Apropos Of Nothing" and "Dusting Off The Rust" right after an onscreen discussion between Steve Wynn and the other people involved in making The Universe Inside.