The Lovetones bring their psychedelic tones

The gentle jangle and orchestral swoon on the Lovetones' third album, "Axiom," might project the aura of the '60s, but the Australian quartet's songwriter, Matt Tow, keeps his psychedelia forward-looking.

"It's important not to forget the past, but what we're trying to do is take the spirit of that era and make it our own," Tow says. "The last album was more of a rock record; now, because of the instrumentation we used, the music is a lot more textured."

Less swaggering than 2005's "Meditations," the new album (out Tuesday on Tee Pee Records, home to the Brian Jonestown Massacre) was recorded partly at the Sydney Opera House — where the band's engineer works as an assistant — and partly in the home studio of Rob Campanella of L.A. kindred spirits the Quarter After.

In fact, the bucolic single "Wintertime in Hollywood" was inspired by a trip to the U.S. early last year. "You're on the road and away from loved ones, and you find inspiration in that," Tow says.

||| Stream "Wintertime in Hollywood" here.

||| The Lovetones and the Quarter After perform tonight at Safari Sam's.

Touts for Monday, June 18

The Horrors and Bloodcat Love rock the El Rey Theatre, and tickets still remained as of this morning. ... Residencies continue full blast for the Deadly Syndrome (Spaceland), Thailand (Silverlake Lounge), Burning Brides (the Echo) and the Hong Kong Six (Detroit Bar). ... Frank Lenz and Frankel are on the bill at the Scene in Glendale. ... And at Indie 103.1's "Check One ... Two" night at the Viper Room, Strangers Smile and the Shys are playing.

Photo of the Lovetones by Ashtrayboy.