Taking the trip offered by psychedelic rock can seem like an awfully big commitment. Australia's Tame Impala seem wise to this fact. Their second album, Lonerism, has mass appeal. Slathered with mind-opening effects, the album can turn your brains into oatmeal when paired with some good headphones.
It also works in smaller chunks, as "Elephant," an acid freakout of a single, proves. And it doesn't hurt that frontman Kevin Parker at times sounds like a ringer for John Lennon. The band counters the warped guitars and infinity-bound keys of "Apocalypse Dreams" with the tight rock riffs and acrobatic drum fills of "Mind Mischief," keeping listeners from being dragged too far down the rabbit hole.