What Is ...And This Is Our Music

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Last updated: April 10, 2026

Quick Answer: "...And This Is Our Music" is the ninth studio album by The Brian Jonestown Massacre, released on October 7, 2003, on Tee Pee Records. The neo-psychedelic album marks a creative shift toward more electronic elements and experimental production, drawing inspiration from My Bloody Valentine and The Velvet Underground. The record was later re-released in 2008 with bonus tracks and has become a standout in the band's extensive discography of 20+ studio albums since their 1990 formation.

Key Facts

Released October 7, 2003 on Tee Pee Records as The Brian Jonestown Massacre's ninth studio album
Re-released in 2008 on Anton Newcombe's a Records with previously unreleased bonus tracks from the IF LOVE IS a DRUG EP
Features electronic and experimental production, marking a return to the electronic elements the band explored in their early days
Band founder Anton Newcombe authored over 150 songs in a 15-year period and has led The Brian Jonestown Massacre since 1990
Album includes collaborations including co-writer Mark Gardener from the band Ride on the track "Monkey Powder"

Overview

...And This Is Our Music stands as The Brian Jonestown Massacre's ninth studio album, released on October 7, 2003, through Tee Pee Records. The neo-psychedelic ensemble from San Francisco, founded by Anton Newcombe in 1990, presents a record that marks a significant creative pivot for the prolific band. The album embraces a more electronic-driven aesthetic, blending the band's signature psychedelic foundations with experimental studio techniques and synthesizer-heavy arrangements.

The album represents Anton Newcombe's artistic vision after authoring over 150 songs during a 15-year period of prolific creative output. Released during the early 2000s psychedelic revival, ...And This Is Our Music drew direct inspiration from iconic acts like My Bloody Valentine and The Velvet Underground, combining their sonic influence with contemporary electronic production methods. The record later received an expanded re-release in 2008 on Anton Newcombe's own a Records label, which included bonus material and the previously limited edition songs from the IF LOVE IS a DRUG EP, introducing the album to a broader audience.

How It Works

The album structure reveals the band's multifaceted approach to songwriting and arrangement:

Electronic Foundation: The record emphasizes synthesizer textures and electronic production techniques, marking a return to the experimental electronic elements The Brian Jonestown Massacre had explored during their earliest days in the 1990s.
Psychedelic Layering: Each track employs thick, reverb-saturated production with dense instrumental arrangements that create immersive soundscapes combining traditional rock instruments with electronic elements.
Collaborative Songwriting: Notable guest contributions, including co-writer Mark Gardener from British alternative rock band Ride, brought outside perspectives to tracks like "Monkey Powder," expanding the sonic palette.
Diverse Song Formats: The album balances upbeat instrumental tracks with experimental ballads and surreal, avant-garde compositions that showcase the band's range across 20+ songs and studio recordings.
Production Approach: Recording emphasized rich, layered production with multiple instrument overdubs, creating complex arrangements that reward repeated listening and detailed analysis.

Key Comparisons

Aspect	...And This Is Our Music (2003)	Brian Jonestown Massacre's Early Work (1990s)	Contemporary Psychedelic Albums (Early 2000s)
Electronic Elements	Heavy synthesizers and electronic production throughout	Heavier emphasis on organic rock instrumentation	Mixed approach with moderate electronic use
Production Style	Dense, multi-layered arrangements with studio experimentation	Lo-fi, garage-influenced production aesthetic	Variable production quality across different bands
Musical Influences	My Bloody Valentine, The Velvet Underground	1960s psychedelia, Brian Wilson, Beach Boys	Diverse influences including shoegaze and electronic
Song Duration	Mix of short experimental tracks and extended arrangements	Varied song lengths with emphasis on immediate hooks	Generally shorter, radio-friendly track structures
Vocal Treatment	Anton Newcombe's vocals often buried in effects and reverb	More prominent vocal delivery in many tracks	Varied vocal approaches across different contemporary acts

Why It Matters

Artistic Evolution: The album documents The Brian Jonestown Massacre's willingness to evolve beyond their 1990s lo-fi foundations, demonstrating artistic maturity and experimentation within the psychedelic rock genre.
Electronic Psychedelia Pioneer: As a landmark release in electronic-influenced psychedelic rock during the early 2000s, ...And This Is Our Music contributed to the broader movement blending electronic and rock sensibilities during an era increasingly influenced by electronic music.
Collaborative Artistry: Featuring contributions from respected musicians like Mark Gardener of Ride, the album exemplifies the collaborative spirit of the psychedelic rock community and cross-pollination between different artistic visions.
Extended Discography Significance: As the ninth studio album in a career spanning 20+ albums by 2023, ...And This Is Our Music occupies an important middle period in The Brian Jonestown Massacre's extensive and continuously evolving discography.

The album remains significant within the band's legacy as a bold artistic statement during a transitional period for psychedelic rock. The 2008 re-release introduced the record to audiences who may have missed the original 2003 release, cementing its status as an important touchstone in neo-psychedelic music. Anton Newcombe's prolific output and the band's ongoing presence—continuing to record and perform through 2023 with releases like The Future Is Your Past—ensures that ...And This Is Our Music maintains relevance as a pivotal chapter in their 30+ year journey. For collectors and psychedelic music enthusiasts, the original pressing and subsequent reissues represent valuable additions to any vinyl or digital collection, particularly for those interested in the evolution of electronic and experimental psychedelic rock.