Cool Ghouls’ wild ride continued in 2014, a year that saw the band play all over the States, culminating with an appearance at the second annual First City Festival. But the quartet wasn’t done yet after that August gig in Monterey, determined to end 2014 on an even higher note. On November 11, Cool Ghouls released their second full length, A Swirling Fire Burning Through The Rye, on Empty Cellar, premiering it on Hype Machine and peaking the interest of not only the local folks, but also that of the national media including the likes of Wondering Sound, Noisey, and Brooklyn Vegan.

A Swirling Fire finds the Ghouls strengthening their grasp on the torch of San Francisco’s psych rock renaissance, from opener “And It Grows” through singles “The Mile” and “What A Dream I Had”, spinning dreamy tales of adventures to the center of the mind, interspersed with ripping guitar work courtesy of Pat McDonald and Ryan Wong. The record is simultaneously spaced out, danceable, and downright rockin’ – the perfect example (so far) of the band’s brand of ’60s-influenced-but-definitely-not-your-father’s rock and roll.

Below, listen to Cool Ghouls’ A Swirling Fire Burning Through The Rye, The Bay Bridged’s Featured Album for January 2015, and then catch details on the band’s two upcoming gigs for Folkyeah Presents, including a date with The Fresh & Onlys at Great American Music Hall. The album will be streaming on The Bay Bridged homepage all month.

Folkyeah Presents: Cool Ghouls, Mr. Elevator & The Brain Hotel, Fine Points
The Catalyst (Santa Cruz)
January 14, 2015
9pm, $10–12 (16+)

Folkyeah Presents: The Fresh & Onlys, Cool Ghouls, Mr. Elevator & The Brain Hotel, Fine Points
Great American Music Hall
January 15, 2015
7:30pm, $16–18 (6+)