Dexter's Lab All Grown UP

Ever wondered what happened to boy genius Dexter and his Laboratory?  You know, the cartoon about a pretentious boy scientist with an annoying sister Dee-Dee, who would never stay out of his lab.  Well, needless to say, Dexter grew up but has now taken on a Walter White persona.

            Mississippi-based Light Beam Rider has transported us into Dexter’s adulthood through their song "Dexter’s Meth Lab."  Hailing from Corinth, MS, LBR consists of members Daniel Sowards, Thomas Sweat, Ian Manus, and Jesse Sutton.  Described as proggy psych-rockers, their style is officially categorized as post-rock progressive pop. 

As the title suggests, Dexter’s experiments have progressed into experimental drugs, which are not FDA approved.  The trip begins with a smooth guitar chord progression followed by fast innocent picking.  Next thing you’re waking up as one of Dexter’s test subjects enveloped in a swirl of manic induced disarray.  The seizing continues in a dark Norman Bates chorus, “My baby’s falling all to pieces,” suggesting possible psychotic disorder haunting a girl.  Perhaps, the girl is Dee-Dee, or perhaps, this is a word of caution to the dangers of meth.
(On another note, perhaps the song represents the chaos and bewilderment we encounter in the world.  More so than ever, we are inundated with devises and noise.  It is difficult to find peace of any kind there is always something requiring one's attention.  Sometimes the world can be very trying and make a person go crazy, however, may sanity prevail.)

Furthermore, Dexter’s chorus wakes us with a chaotic magnetism, comparable to watching a slow motion car crash.  One is drawn in for wanting to see the tragic aftermath.  However, the collision is averted through a satisfactory funky progression, which provides a nice ironic twist, moving from hysteria to a chilled happy-go-lucky feeling.

            The track encompasses a unique display of musical aptitude and elastic creativity through progressive integration of punk/grunge accented riffs and funky bass lines. The vocals enhance the paranoid schizophrenic disposition, creating this image of a drug-pervaded domain.

            Ultimately, LBR leads us through a case of cognitive dissonance, while touring through Dexter’s R-rated Lab.  It is a musical passage through sensational prog-pop/rock reminiscent of the 90’s, and I mean this as a sincere compliment.  Producing an integration of styles, LBR is an excitingly creative band engaging the listener and prompting multiple listens.  Further, per every listen, new determinations are made about the band. Therefore, I urge everybody to give them a listen.  Light Beam Rider’s LP Mississippi. is a great album and is available for purchase on Amazon and iTunes.