Before even cracking open the case (or, in these times, clicking the “purchase” button on iTunes would be more accurate) one can’t help from reading the title to Akron/Family’s new album, S/T II:  the Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT (yes, that’s it’s actual name), and assume that heroic amounts of psychotropics went into this music. But upon listening, you may be surprised to find that Akron/Family is not mish-mash of drug-addled ramblings, but soft and serene (though sometimes still rambling) songs of mysticism and nature. They’re like Led Zeppelin with gray hoodies and weak voices boxes.

The Galaxy Labor and Adventure of Kung-Fu C-4 is the perfect music to accompany a rousing game of Dungeons and Dragons. The wispy songs prance lithely about like and elf through a sylvan glen, proudly presenting is plus-ten hit points. Many tracks begin with ambient sounds of nature, and then lead slowly into the meek vocals sung about the many subjects that interest the discerning lapse pagan.

That is not to say that Akron and his family (don’t ask what that forward slash is about, because there is no answer) are not without their rock roots. Songs on The Space C-Section and Long Haul of Kamikaze BTO (see, anyone can make things up! It must be freeing as a musician to not be held accountable for words, punctuation, and grammar) range from the admittedly drifting lulls of the Pink Floydian “A AAA O A Way” to the much more upbeat and bluesy “Light Emerges”.

It would be too easy to call the album “trippy”, though Akron/Family and Tangerine Dream would probably get along great, when in fact it falls under the much more naturalistic category of “mystic”. The Nebulous Consortium and Cankerous Trip of Pancake WWE features the kind of music you want to set your indie sci-fi film to…one that would likely feature a cameo from David Bowie or, maybe, Tom Waits. There’s a discordant, yet soothing quality to the music that makes it listenable, while staying weird enough to keep you guessing.

Conclusion: Despite, or perhaps because of, their affected strangeness, Akron/Family has several fun songs on their album. So get out your black light and enjoy…until you fall asleep.