Poobah

Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame , "Poobah, most collectible psych rock band in the world"

Martin Popoff VH1, Guitar World Magazine calls Poobah "the King of Indie Rock"

Goldmine Magazine states, 'Jim Gustafson, brilliant guitar and a gift for melody"

Classic Rock Magazine " no wonder all the kids dig Poobah"

Poobah - Peace Farmers

Anyone who's read the Ripple for a period of time knows how we feel about the perpetual rocking machine that is Poobah. Jim Gustafson, who is essentially Poobah, is without a doubt, one of the world's most unheralded, underground guitar legends. Just check out his stunning reissue of Steamroller, and you'll see what we're talking about. With fingers that fire at a cheetah's pace and 120 volts of electricity searing through his strings, Jim's guitar work doesn't just slink along, it screams, it wails, it purrs and roars.

Now, Poobah comes sizzling back with his third release since the Ripple's been rolling. And whereas Underground and No Control dazzled with guitar wizardry, nothing can match the ferocity that Poobah brings to Peace Farmers. Wailing on like he's a kid again, Gustafson proves he truly is ageless. Either someone slipped a case of Red Bull into Mr.s Gustafson's water supply or he found the fountain of youth. Sure Underground rocked, but in truth, it did so in more of a mellow, post-psychedelic, bluesy way. Not here, no way! Peace Farmers screams out of the stereo, aggressive and mean, and burning with the fire of a thousand burning guitars. Peace Farmers begs for attention. It refuses to be ignored.

After the stuttering intro of "Ripped," Poobah explodes in full electric glory! Featuring a mean and nasty, fricking heavy-toned guitar, Gustafson plays his freaking heart out, solo arpeggios, feedback, flurries wailing through the massive riff like screams breaking through a darkened night. Poobah hasn't rocked this hard to my ears since Steamroller. No fan of Poobah can resist being sucked head first into this monstrosity from that very first cut. But it doesn't let up there. "It Out," keeps the level at volcano-explosive intensity, riding an additively heavy riff, loaded with guitar histrionics to make even the most seasoned rocker drool and marvel. When I say his guitar leads sear, I mean it's a damn good thing this didn't come out on vinyl cause it'd be melting under the heat of the needle!

And these first two songs are only indicative of what awaits you on the rest of the album. The next cut, "Mood," keeps the intensity just as fierce, featuring some distinctly trademark Poobah guitar mania, and the album continues on from there. Without a doubt, Poobah has unleashed a classic of guitar madness with Peace Farmers. Rather than getting older and slower, Poobah just keeps getting better. The whole album seems to find Gustafson more focused in his songwriting, tighter and infinitely heavier than his last couple of albums. Not only that, but this is the best I've heard Jim's voice since the re-issue of Steamroller. No matter how you cut it, Poobah is a name that long ago deserved much more acclaim and attention that it has ever received, and here at the Ripple we're going to do everything we can to help Poobah get it's due. Keep tuned here for some big Poobah announcements coming soon!

- Ripple Effect, Rock Hall, Guitar World, Goldmine Magazine, Classic Rock Magazine