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MESMER
Sugar Sermon
Mälsä Kolhoosi (kolhoz 4-2004)
There's always been a little soft spot for dark gothic rock in me. Mesmer from Tampere is, as their name suggests, a very hypnotic and at times also psychedelic trio, so I like this a lot. Sugar Sermon is tidied up and a bit altered version of their promo CD-R that I reviewed for Psychotropic Zone earlier this year. The sound has improved a bit, although it's not perfect, I think. The order of the tracks has also changed and they have dropped "Subutex Willer" out, I wonder if my review had anything to do with this?! The slow and magical "Absinth Letter" still works as the opener and does a great job. "Heavenly Narcotic" is slow and hypnotic, one of my favourites. Then they have added a bit faster track called "Murderscene A4", and I'm sure all black lips will enjoy this with its old-school drum machine. "Bardo Hangar" is a psychedelic web of sound, a great interlude. Then follows the mesmerising "Heavenly Narcotic, pt. 2" that makes your brain solidify. Good guitar playing and a great, dark track in other ways as well! "Shellsong" is faster stuff again, and reminds me of many 80's goth bands and towards the end it goes quite crazy. The last track "Bowery" is yet again slower stuff, a beautiful and fitting ending for a good album. This is worth getting for example from www.stupido.fi, if you're into dark, hypnotic music with lots of keyboards and a good singer.
www.mesmermusic.tk
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MOSES HAZY
Again
Self-released CD EP (MOSES-002)
I had never heard about this young band from Tornio until their second EP arrived by mail.
These Lappish boys play some kind of freak rock, all right, and they are pretty tough.
The first track "Virginia Peng" brings Dildo Mania strongly to mind. The next one,
a beautiful and nice "Judas of Today" is closer to garage rock, a good composition.
The sax is a bit out of tune which distracts a bit, but this is still the best
song on the CD reminding me a bit of The Flaming Sideburns' more peaceful tracks, and maybe also TSOOL.
"Suck My Elbow" is a faster rock piece, rock 'n roll! These fellows have enough drive for sure. The last track
"Annie the Aunt of Rock 'n' Roll" is more on the Deep South blues department and even has some banjo on it.
The peaceful middle part with sax solo is the most interesting to me. This Moses Hazy is a rather okay band,
but since this is not psychedelia, this is not just my kind of stuff. They gain some extra points for having
a keyboard player and a saxophonist in addition to the basic combo.
By the way, Trash Can Records are helping with the distribution of this disc.
www.moseshazy.net
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JELLYFISH SYNDROME
Demo 2004
Jellyfish Syndrome is a surprisingly groovy band from Sweden playing dirty and loud stoner rock. The sticker on the cover says "sexually frustrated sonic fuzz ass rock", so maybe that casts some light on the matter?! This CD-R has five tracks and is over 30 minutes long, although before the last track there are 10 minutes of silence… These fellows rock out pretty hard and the guitar sound is nicely distorted. The sound is very suitable for this kind of music in all the other aspects, as well. A little bit of humour and sort of twisted touch does some good for this band. QOTSA albums must have been spinning around in their record players. All the actual tracks are very functional blasts and especially the fast "8424" rages on with full power. The last, acoustic number is some kind of version of this one. One other very heavy good number is the energetic "Cinnamon Song". It's worthwhile to go and listen to tracks from this and previous releases on the band's web site, and let's hope that they can put a full-length together soon enough, because they rock.
www.jellyfishsyndrome.com
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Various Artists:
Million Tongues Festival
Bastet (BAST 003)
This interesting compilation album presents the bands that played in Chicago at this festival that took place in August of 2004. This is pretty colourful bunch, by the way. The albums starts with a cheerful freak beat number from 1967 by Michael (Yonkers) and The Mumbles. Then it's time for a few noisy, punky Japanese psych bands, some of these have a rather muddy sound. LSD March is the best example of this genre. The tough and heavy style continues with the nicely deranged track "Synaptic Prothesis" by Inner Throne. Then follows some US bands, each more obscure than the other (at least for me), the miserable live recordings irritate me a bit occasionally. After the hard rocking it's time to hear a bit more peaceful stuff, and a sort of folksy phase begins. A very good track in this section is the fragile "Under The Waterfall" by Espers. Rather archaic and primitive stuff is delivered by PG Six and Fursaxa. Then we're taken into really cosmic atmospheres when Kawabata Makoto delivers us a piece of space with Kinski. Excellent! The rest of the album includes the strangest experimental sound collages and robotic pulses. Overwhelming… So this is a pretty varied album that somehow succeeds to hold itself together. Most of the 20 tracks on the album are previously unreleased. Actually the only complaint I have is the bad sound quality of some of the tracks. Bastet is a record label of the American magazine Arthur, and this compilation has in addition to the festival only been available through this very interesting mag.
www.arthurmag.com
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CENSUS OF HALLUCINATIONS
Nine Lives
Stone Premonitions (SPCD 045)
Oh yeah, it's again time to get some positive vibes from one of the best bands in the international underground music network. As the title suggests, this is already the ninth album by Census of Hallucinations. There is remarkable improvement compared to the last album (The Eight Dwarf). The production is even more successful, some of the songs are now better, and everything just works fine. The psychedelic level is at times really deep, but there are also some nice melodic songs (like "Mock Honesty") reminding me of the Magic Mushroom Band's lighter acid pop hits. The band magnificently keeps alive the spirit of the free festival scene, and they have taken some influences at least by Gong and Hawkwind. Manuel Göttsching styled guitar playing is apparent on a several tracks, as well. Some of the tracks sound a bit like early Porcupine Tree. There's also a nice version of the Peter Green classic "The Green Manalishi". Some of the tracks are more ambient oriented and mainly played with synthesisers. There's also some humour on the album from time to time, as well as weird samples and effected narration. There are 18 tracks on the CD all together most of which are rather short. In my opinion, Tim Jones and Terri-B combine the ideology of the hippy age and modern technology very well. The playing, singing and drum programming is flawless, and they have used quest musicians when ever needed. So this is a very varied album with many different tones and it keeps you tightly in its grip. The album is just suitably hallucinatory to make it interesting in normal as well as altered states of consciousness. This must be one of the best underground releases of 2004! By the way, congratulations on the 10th birthday of Stone Premonitions label.
www.aural-innovations.com/stonepremonitions
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RÅD KJETIL AND THE LOVING EYE OF GOD
Goddamn I'm a Countryman Records (Countryman 005)
Great, a new album from the folks from the Swedish The Spacious Mind! Although the names of the musicians are not revealed, the connection is rather clear here… This is again quite different affair after the solo albums by Jens and Henrik, but the quality hasn't dropped one bit, for sure. The first track "Now Cover Your Body with Black Light" starts with a soft organ drone soon joined by beautiful acoustic guitars. Towards the end of this over 10 minutes long piece we got to hear also some electric guitar and drums. A truly cosmic and pretty experience! "I Dauflom" is a very deranged collage of weird sounds and pieces of conversation in Swedish. Really psychedelic! "They Used To Be Like Children, Carefree…Always Happy and Laughing" could well be from the More album by Pink Floyd, relaxing and beautiful. Then they go into more obscure direction again with "Dal-Jani Välta", although after like two minutes of psychedelic turmoil a well-defined track begins giving room for nice, consciousness-expanding electric guitar solos. I guess this is the part on this album that sounds the most like The Spacious Mind. "Let's Build a Small Vessel and Land Inside Her Heart" is yet again a bit more peaceful, acoustic guitar driven piece with a fantastic ending. The last track "Deleirs Dess" starts very quietly with an organ drone soon joined by little sound effects and some backwards guitar. This is pretty much what happens during the whole number. Apparently they have saved the heavier rev and rocking for the next, long-awaited TSM album, since this release is, all in all, a rather tranquil, meditative and relaxing. This still is fantastic album and a must-have for all TSM and Holy River Family Band fans, and a recommended experiment for anyone who's interested in floating his or her mind in the cosmic currents somewhere beyond consciousness.
www.countrymanrecords.com
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HOTGUITARS/DRAKE`S MEDICINE
Split 7"
Kevyt nostalgia/Sweetcore (KENO-04/SCORE-01)
Hotguitars is formed by two fellows Teemu Korpipää and Jyrki Laiho, known for example for their Circle connections. In this project of theirs they can make as much noise and tumult as they feel like and play and release what ever they want, I guess. Prior to this they have released a couple of EP's featuring very experimental stuff. They continue along the same lines with this split. The first track "Partisans and Guerrillas" is a sort of more laid back and feeble experiment, but "False Testimonies - Grind Symphony in 5 Parts" as the title says is totally mindless grind gore noise: a merciless and very intensive sound assault to the ears, chaotic hullabaloo. The last track "Firm Iconoclast" is luckily a more peaceful piece again, and you can even hear what's happening. Rather psychedelic, swelling stuff. Drake's Medicine was formed by a few guys from Kotka as a therapy band, and they have played live at least at the Mental Alaska club. They improvise all the music they play, so the same tracks won't be heard another time ever. On this single they offer an improvisation called "Find the Major Mistake" that was recorded in 2003 when the band was still only a trio. A nice, instrumental piece and I can sense some post rock touch. The heaviest parts remind me a bit of GSYBE!, although with a smaller orchestration. I would like to hear more of this. It's a good idea to get this single fast, since Kevyt nostalgia has already sold out their share of the 200 copies!
www.sweetcore.org
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TENZENMEN PRESENTS
Eccentrics, issue #2
Tenzenmen (002TZM)
Ex-Circle guitarist Jyrki Laiho (now in Kuusumun profeetta, among other things) was friendly enough to sell me his archive copies of the
first two Circle vinyls, and in the same package he also sent me this weird three-band split release. Tenzenmen is apparently
an Australian label so far focused on releasing this kind of records. Their web site says they are interested in all extreme,
outrageous, amusing, adventurous, improvised etc. music. This CD is well in between those lines. The album starts with six
tracks by Japanese Limited Express (has gone?), and I've never heard anything of them before. Rather heavy, noisy, technical and fun stuff.
The female singer's very high-pitched and theatrical voice is the thing that stands out. Strange. Then it's time for a trio called
Stalwart formed by Jyrki Laiho, Veli Nuorsaari and Janne Peltomäki. Their CD EP Torment Nonplus released a little while ago was
a promising preview of their heavy and hypnotic rolling also present on this album. They have packed seven merciless assaults into
twenty plus minutes. You can still hear some old Circle in there, but there's a lot of other stuff, as well. Jyrki also sings,
especially in a track called "Girl Parade Trainee". "Sickened by Symbolism" is a pretty fast track, phew! Then follows some heavy,
slow riffing, but cacophonic, psychedelic elements are always present, as well. This is rather experimental, heavy as hell and odd stuff.
I'm a bit scared if the possibly pretty soon-to-be-released full length will also be this merciless head banging all the time,
but this works like an evil kübel in 20 minutes long dosages. It would also be nice to get this band to play live, maybe with
some reinforcements. The last orchestra on this CD is also from Finland and called Plat Ypus, and I'm ashamed to say that
I don't really know much about them. A couple of shorter tracks were recorded already in 1997, the over 14 minutes long
"Black Hand Rising" in 2002. This quartet plays rather noisy and weird, obviously improvisation-based stuff. There are also some programming and sound college-like elements in there to give nice extra colour to their sound. This is
rather confusing compilation, but I'm sure this kind of stuff has plenty of listeners!
www.ten-zen-men.com
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HYPNOS 69
Forrest of Illusion/Colour Haze
Flowers split 10"
Electrohasch (Electrohasch 091)
Now this is a nice split release by Hypnos 69 from Belgium and the German Colour Haze. The last-mentioned I was quite familiar with already, but Hypnos 69 was a completely new acquaintance for me, although I'd heard the name of the band in several occasions before. They have released a few CD's, and are relatively popular, I suppose. On this little vinyl there's one long track by them called "Forrest of Illusion" that is divided in two parts. A great song, and fits well together with Colour Haze, although the music of Hypnos 69 seems to be a bit softer, more subtle and prettier than their German friends. At times they do go into stoner rock mode, as well. The band also includes a saxophone player, although on this track we don't get to hear him. There are two tracks on the Colour Haze side: first "Flowers" that can also be found on their latest CD, and then "Amo Te" recorded in 2003 and apparently not released anywhere else. "Flowers" is a really nice song presenting the band's more melodic side. "Amo Te" is a mid-tempo boogie that at times rocks a bit harder as well. Fender Rhodes creates a wonderful, airy atmosphere. Stephan's guitar slicks are candy for the ears, as always. This is a really enjoyable 10", and the limited edition of 1000 is numbered.
www.elektrohasch.de
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HYPNOS 69
The Intrigue of Perception
Elektrohasch (Elektrohasch 103)
This Belgian psychedelic band that was formed in 1994 has taken its name from a Greek god of sleep and subconscious. This is their third official CD and the first that I've ever got to review. I thought this to be more fuzz/stoner rock, but the intensive and strong opener of this album called "The Endless Void" is the only track getting close to this category, and only at its climax parts. Mellotron brings more exciting effect, and saxophone is already well presented. This sounds a bit like the band's soul mates Colour Haze. The following "Good Sinner-Bad Sinner" is from a totally different world with its soft jazz influences. One of the best tracks is the slow tempo and dreamy "Third Nature" that sounds a bit like Pink Floyd but especially King Black Acid who, by the way, happens to be one of my favourite bands. Heavy guitar solo! Then follows "Twisting the Knife" that is the album's fast rocking piece. My little son liked very much to dance to this one. I guess this is some kind of heavy prog rock, a very energetic song. The title track is divided in five parts and is the great, progressive master piece of the CD. The first movement "Islands on the Sun" is a tranquil and beautiful space ballad in the DarXtar style. There's also some acoustic guitar and organ in there. The chorus has great harmony vocals. The second part is a very serene saxophone solo part, at times I'm reminded of Nik Turner. Then a synthesiser sequence begins and the track really starts to move again in a magnificent way. Very pretty prog rock, awesome! The tender last part of the track reminds me of Camel. It has a simple but exquisite melody. Towards the end the music grows somewhat, and I'm also reminded of Van Der Graaf Generator. All in all this is probably the best song on the album. "Absent Friends" finishes the album in a beautiful and easy way with some clarinet and psychedelic, delayed guitar. Hypnos 69 was a really positive surprise in all its variety, and since the sound quality is also excellent, I just have to recommend this CD for everyone into psychedelic and progressive rock. In addition I must praise the nice graphics on the cover booklet featuring the lyrics.
www.hypnos69.tk
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MERZBOW
Sha Mo 3000
Essence Music (ESS003)
Since I'm not exactly a noise fan, I have so far somehow been able to avoid even the releases by this Japanese king of noise.
Merzbow is Masami Akita who has released incalculable amounts of albums since the early 90's. The albums are apparently
very different from each other, but the fellow has, any way, gained great success and respect all over the world.
This is his latest release and the first one released in Brasilia. The psychedelic miniature LP covers made by the
artist himself instantly attracted my attention. Also the name of the artist was so familiar that I was anxious to hear
what the album would sound like. The first time I listened to it I was pretty thunderstruck: how can anybody bear to listen to
this kind of tangled buzz and hum? Little by little the music started to offer new meanings and I begin to be able to make
something out of it. Underneath all the digital noise you can occasionally recognize guitars and beats. This still is extremely experimental. There are five tracks on the album lasting together close to 66 minutes. The first one called "Suzunami" is just noise, but already the second, screeching title track also features some rhythm. Loops and samples are in frequent use, and the end result is very weird. I like best the last two tracks that are maybe a bit mellower but rather psychedelic. For ears that have not been that much exposed to noise this album still is rather heavy experience, although an interesting and extreme one. The CD was also released in a limited edition of 99 copies as a box edition with several extras, but this was naturally sold out immediately. Also the standard edition is limited to 900 copies.
www.essence-music.com
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CIRCLE
Forest
Ektro Records (EKTRO-028)
These fellows just keep on regenerating. Forest is, yet again,
a very different Circle album. They have now totally forgotten about
the heavy, crunching distorted guitar riffs, and the job is now done
with acoustic guitars. There's no bass to be heard, either. What's
new is the primitive, downright tribal percussion played by all the
four band members, and the fast burbling synthesiser patterns and
sequencers. Also the vocals are very different than on the previous
albums. First of all they are in English (even though the titles
are in Finnish), and pretty peaceful and atmospheric. "Luikertelevat lahoavat"
features some church choir like vocals like the two first albums, as well.
I wonder if this comes from Lehtisalo's track record in a church choir?
There are four long tracks on the CD that are quite uniform in mood.
While listening to this album one gets the feeling of being in the
middle of some gloomy magical forest, and its strange, otherworldly
creatures are communicating with you. The feeling is a bit frightening,
but more like intoxicating and beckoning. In a usual Circle manner the
tracks are strongly based on hypnotic repetition that gets some little
variation added to it so the listener who is transported into trance is
lured to fully concentrate on the music. Now the lo-fi aesthetics
cultivated on Guillotine and Vesiliirto are luckily forgotten, and the
album sounds extremely good, although not over-produced. I think that the
best track is the last one called "Jäljet" that really captivates the listener.
Forest is a very good disc by the best band in Finland, and an absolute
must for everyone into psychedelic, hypnotic music. Worth getting is also
the live album Empire released on vinyl, and there should be two other
new Circle albums surfacing later this year, as well.
www.ektrorecords.com
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RÄTTÖ JA LEHTISALO
Pari lepakkoa Transylvaniassa
Ektro Records (EKTRO-029)
Circle members Jussi Lehtisalo and Mika Rättö continue their
journey into rock stardom with their second duet. Unlike their
previous album Kopernikus hortoilee näkinkengässä this one is
almost completely acoustic in nature. Neu!-styled, machine-like
drum comp can only be heard on a track called "Peltojen poikki
pääkaupunkiin" that with its sequencers and keyboards is the
only space pop tune sounding like the first CD. This instrumental
is also one of my favourites. Otherwise the album is carried very
strongly with only acoustic guitars and vocals, although other
tracks have some keyboards too, and there's also some harmonica.
As was the case with the previous album, Aki Peltonen who recorded
and mixed this album, also plays some guitars, and in addition
the last, rather abstract piece "Kaksituhatta vuotta" features
Janne Tuomi on drums. "Harmittava levitaatiotapaus" also has
some wacky ancient typewriter sounds. This album was quite
a surprise for me, since I was expecting these friends to go
into more danceable direction. The reason for this fantasy was
one track that I heard on the radio that was some kind of
sleaze-funk-pop-disco. Jussi had made the decision to drop
a couple of songs in this style from the album, because they
didn't fit in with its acoustic overall tone. Don't worry:
these tracks that were left our will be released in vinyl format
later on! One of the best tracks on the album in my opinion is
the longest and mystical "Neitsyt ja runoilija" with lyrics
about some pagan sacrificial rite. Some of the lyrics are
rather funny, even humorous. There is also a lot of different
kind of human voice and universal rock-pop phonemes. Pari lepakkoa
Transylvaniassa is a rather peaceful affair, and even if it's
not exactly folk, the acoustic guitars bring in similar moods.
There are also some psychedelic elements, but they are presented
in a very subtle way. This album needs a few times before you can
really get into it, but after that is a very enjoyable and
listening durable. So the potency of Rättö and Lehtisalo is
still excellent, I must admit that. Extra points for the
marvellous cover graphics!
www.circlefinland.com/mikajajussi.html
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THE PHONIES
Instant Elation
Oy Motley Ltd
This is the first full-lenght CD by the Kokkola-based band The Phonies.
Tom Stenman and Risto Lehtomaa, the songwriters of the band, were in
a power pop band called The Refresments in the early nineties, and
they were relatively successful. After that they had a band called
Mental Market that has lately transformed into The Phonies. You can
easily hear echoes of Neil Young's output on this CD, and these fellows
are also big Bevis Frond fans. There's even a frisky version of a track
"Down in the Well" by the Frond in there, and what's most important,
they have been able to get Nick Saloman, the maestro himself, to play
a heavenly twin-solo on one of the tracks! That fact in itself makes
this album worth buying, but it has many other merits, as well. The music
happens to be very good, catchy, melodic guitar-oriented rock-pop, also
having some psychedelic tinges. Roky Erikson is also credited as one of
the influences. Mostly some of the melodies, the strings and mellotron
make me think the Norwegian band Motorpsycho and even Dipsomaniacs,
although the album is more 70's than 60's oriented in mood. The use of
moog and organ brings in some progressive rock feel. The playing and
production is flawless, and Stenman's clear voice pours deep into you.
The lyrics are rather dark and disturbed. All in all a very successful
debut album, and definitely worth checking out!
www.thephonies.net
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MAGIC MUSHROOM BAND
Singles and Rarities/Process of Illumination/Re-Hash/RU Space Out 2
Voiceprint (VP287CD/VP309CD/VP284CD/VP286CD)
Magic Mushroom Band has been one of my favourite bands for years now. Even if they haven't done
anything since 1994 when their other band Astralasia started being more successful. The band presents
the 80's British free festival scene at its best, along with Ozric Tentacles. So they are part of
this hippy crowd you could meet at Stonehenge during the solstice or at various other festivals.
The band was able to release seven albums and four EP's before they disbanded. The original limited
vinyl pressings with fancy covers are very wanted stuff among the collectors of psychedelic rock.
Voiceprint has made a big favour for the music culture by re-releasing most of the band's output.
They have also released a couple of compilations by the band. Singles and Rarities includes, as the
title suggests, tracks from the singles of the band. "Pictures in My Mind" opens the album and is
one of their best tracks. This crystallizes the band's space pop sound perfectly. They also recorded
some cover songs from time to time, so you can find splendid versions of "Eight Miles High" and
"Set the Controls for the Heart of The Sun" on this CD. "Magic Eye" is one of the most famous
tracks by the band, and now we're talking about the newer, ambient-trance version. Possibly the
rarest stuff are the two remixes and one edit from the Freshly Picked promo CD EP. This compilation
is worth buying, even if (like me) you have all the band's releases, since all this is re-mastered
and easy to listen to.
Process of Illumination has been one of my favourite MMB albums for a long time.
Their version of the Beatles acid classic "Tomorrow Never Knows" opens the album in a magnificent way.
There are many other great songs on this album, as well. Re-Hash was the band's project to
re-arrange some of their old tracks to more danceable, electronic way in Astralasia style.
Many of the new versions are better than the originals! There are also interesting versions of
tracks "Are You Experienced" (Hendrix) and "My White Bicycle" (Tomorrow). RU Spaced Out 2 was the
second last album by the band. This is also one my favourites. As usual, you can find both catchy
space pop tunes and more hazy instrumentals on this album. I just have to mention a nice version of
"Hurry on Sundown" originally by Hawkwind. I think that it's really great that Voiceprint has
released these superb albums re-mastered, so that this cool band won't disappear in history.
The original cover graphics, inserts and lyrics are printed in the booklets, although some of the
text is in too small print for me too read. The only little complaint is that there are no bonus tracks.
In addition to these, Voiceprint has also released albums Spaced Out and Magic, but I didn't get these.
The most interesting of the missing releases is for sure a compilation called Spaced Out III: Outtakes and
Spacecakes, since this is the only one with unreleased material on it. This might well have been added to
the other CD's as bonus material, of course…If you happened to miss this band the first time, now it's
about time to get to know them.
www.voiceprint.co.uk
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MANA MANA
Kuolla elävänä - Live 2001
Riemu (riemucd-008)
Mana Mana is one of the coolest Finnish bands ever, PERIOD. This band that was formed in
Joensuu at the latter part of the 80's was part of the underground punk/HC craze that was going on. What separated
them from their more brisk strong home-made brew drinking partners was that these lads swam in a lot slower,
heavier and more mystical waters. The song writer of the band was the legendary Jouni Mömmö, whose sickly
Finnish lyrics gave the weird music even metaphysical qualities. Jouni was in some way mentally sick, and
he expressed his dark thoughts through his lyrics in a cruel way. The lyrics are usually about death, insane
apocalyptic visions of limbo and of course, in a Finnish way, about problems in relationships
between a man and a woman. Mental health problems and unhealthy life style took this mad genius too early to other spheres in 26.10.1991. The band only made a couple of singles and one magnificent album Totuus palaa (The Truth Is Burning) before Jouni's death. These are already collectors' items, but luckily the Kaikki-Complete compilation covers all that material.
Otra Romppanen, the guy who created the massive guitar wall of the band,
has among his other bands (Enter, Psychoplasma etc.) resurrected Mana Mana every now and then during the years and played a few gigs (sometimes with as many as seven guitarists!) to honour Jouni's legacy, and even released an excellent album Murheen laakso composed of songs that Jouni left behind. The last time I saw the band was at Nosturi sometime in 2001, and the band was very tight. The same drive has apparently stayed with them until the Tavastia gig. Their last gig ever. They have picked the best tracks from the two hour gig, and this works out very well. Kaltsu does Mömmö's vocals with piety, and Otra plays some marvellous solos. I don't actually miss any song, so they have made some good choices. A few faster rock pieces are very refreshing in the middle of this CD otherwise full of really gloomy and melancholy boom. At some point I heard some rumours that there were some technical problems with the recording, but even if that was true, there's no sing of that now. So the sound is very satisfactory, and with high volume the album works like a log! This album full of doomsday trumpets and dark visions for all the fans and those into heavy rock with good, dark melodies is absolutely worth buying.
www.riemu.com
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ENTER
Harder CD-EP
Riemu (riemucds-007)
Enter is one of the bands that Otra Romppanen has put together after Mana Mana. After one single the band released a CD called Yah-hah in 1997 through Metamorphos. This new four track EP was recorded already in 1998, but released just recently at the same time as the Mana Mana live album. Enter also played a record release gig in Helsinki, but unfortunately I was unable to make it. If you want to compare this "new" EP with Mana Mana, you can say that this is not so heavy and gloomy, but this is a bit more complicated. Otra, who's one of the best guitarists in Finland does the vocals in English, too. The first track "Too Much" rocks on nicely and tells about a lost friend (Jouni Mömmö?). I'm guessing that "Thanks for Nothing" expresses Otra's feelings at the moment, the chorus goes like "now I'm looking for a better way to express myself 'cause I'm always so down". He had to find something new, and this EP is a bit lighter than the previous works he had made. "(So Much) Harder" has a peaceful, slow intro and is again a bit darker track telling about the hardships of love. That might explain the cover painting by Juha Siitonen. The keyboard part in the middle of the track surprises you in a nice way. "Open Your Mind" is then again a bit more cheerful tune. There's a nice psychedelic middle part wit delay guitars, and the end of the track is just awesome guitar solo feast! Otra rules.
www.riemu.com
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RUOTOMIELI
Koiruohobluesband
Mielilevyt (MILE03)
This is the second CD by Ruotomieli from Oulu. This band plays wild rock and combines, just the way it wants, Finnish rock, The Who, Neil Young, blues and psychedelia. The band has clearly developed since the debut album: the playing is even tighter and they also have some better songs. They certainly don't lack any energy, since these guys let it go with all the rage of their youth. In addition to the basic rock instruments there's also some saxophone and many kinds of keyboards, which adds a lot. I think that the band is at its best in the instrumental passages that are occasionally very inventive and also mind-expanding. A lot of the choruses are pretty clever, too. At their worst, the band the band is in some of the verses sounding almost like Popeda. This kind of stupid macho stuff really isn't for me. So my reactions to this band are rather ambivalent. Maybe they need a good producer, although they seem like guys who do exactly as they wish. Okay, let's concentrate on the strongest points of the album. "Elämä on kuin torakka" brings Neil Young's beautiful, mid-tempo songs heavily to mind. Piano is a nice extra. "Yksi kuppi kahvia" isn't exactly one of the best tracks, but I just have to mention it, because it's a blues number that sounds, especially during the guitar solos, like Bevis Frond! The best stuff is saved to the end of the album. "Kerran tunsin tytön" has taken quite a lot of influences from the beginning of "21st Century Schizoid Man" by King Crimson, even the saxophone. This heavy track works very well. High quality stuff is also the next track "Jäinen päivä helvetin revisited" with a nice, desolate chorus melody, a good solo part, groovy touch, electric piano middle part etc. A rather progressive as a whole and the best thing again is the instrumental part. This one also has some interesting psychedelic elements included. A very fine track is also the pretty "Marrasenkeli", and Mellotron, Moog and Hammond are helping to create the mood. This slow and long track also includes some fine instrumental parts, a sax solo and Deep Purple and Uriah Heep styled keyboard solos. I can only hope that the band would concentrate on this kind of stuff and would forget the mediocre standard rock into some deep swamp.
www.ruotomieli.net
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PETER WRIGHT
Distant Bombs
Last Visible Dog (LVD 056)
Distant Bombs is part of the Last Visible Dog's project to make albums that were
originally released in a small quantity (and usually on CD-R) available again.
This album was recorded in 2001-2002, while Peter Wright was still living in New Zealand.
I haven't heard any of the fellow's other releases, so I can't compare. The music resembles some of the other LVD artists like for example Black Forest/Black Sea and Birchville Cat Motel, though. This album presents clearly some of the best sound of the genre, so this is no lo-fi stuff. The album was made mostly with guitars and violin that were fed through all kinds of effects. The end result is very minimal, ambient and pleasant. There are also for example some sounds of the sea included, and all kinds of electronic devices. The last, short track "Undertow" has in addition to the picked guitar also vocals. The 43 minutes of this CD include seven tracks, so there are no ultra-long drones here. If you're interested in this kind of experimental ambient, then this one is worth checking out.
lvd.4mg.com
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JÄÄPORTTI
Uumenissa
Firebox Records (Firecd021)
Jääportit (Ice Gates in English) is a one-man project from Oulu in the Northern Finland.
Tuomas M-Mäkelä has composed, recorded, mixed and produced this, his third release, by himself.
Uumenissa includes one hour's worth of dreamlike, atmospheric electronic ambient music played with
synthesizers, samplers, sequencers, piano, organ, mellotron and other strange electronic devices.
The album was recorded between 1999 and 2004, and the sound quality is excellent. Tuomas gives Brian Eno, Tangerine Dream, Aphex Twin, Vangelis and Steve Roach as his influences. This album also reminds me of Klaus Schultze, since this is very cosmic music. In Finland, Nemesis, Siniaalto and Kliniczny are bands a bit in the same vein. Uumenissa is very relaxed album, and it is very suitable for nocturnal listening, or for background music to your afternoon nap. The music has a special ability to create interesting images onto the wide screen of your mind; at least I think I can sense something about the essence of the northern nature. This is really good stuff, so if you're going to buy just one ambient album this year, it could very well be this one.
www.jaaportit.net
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UEH & KAWABATO MAKOTO
Pataphysical Overdrive to My Cosmos
Acid Mothers Temple (AMTCD-014)
I hadn't heard about this French band Ueh before, but apparently they have released one studio
album and one live album so far. It looks like they usually play just instrumental music, but on this album there are also some vocals. So this is a collaboration CD with Kawabata Makoto from Acid Mother Temple, and it has two tracks by Ueh, one collaboration and one Kawabata solo track. An almost 19 minutes long Ueh track "Monade" opens up the CD. That's very nice, ethereal and airy post rock, obviously mostly based on improvisation. At times there are also some programmed drums. Beautiful and hazy in a nice way, so if you like bands like GSYBE! or Magyar Posse, you might well like this too. I know I do! The shorter Ueh track "Pataphysical Overdrive" sounds like it could very well be from some of the mid-seventies albums by Amon Düül II. Pretty nice three and a half minutes of a bit faster stuff. "Sunsets on the Moon" starts with about six minutes of ambient, peaceful improvisation, before the comp starts rolling. Ueh recorded their tracks in France and Kawabata added some bowed and glissando guitar that actually reminds me somewhat of Steve Howe's guitar work on the classic Yeas albums, in Japan. Anyway, the end result is rather hypnotic and magical. Kawabata's solo piece "At Last I Got You" is the longest on the album, and also the most tranquil one. In addition to the guitars Kawabata sings and there's also some electronics in use to create a rather psychedelic atmosphere.
www.acidmothers.com
www.maisondrole.com/ueh
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MAQUILADORA WITH KAWABATO MAKOTO
Kiss Over
Acid Mothers Temple (AMTCD-007 & 008)
This is great, absolutely one of the best collaboration projects that Mr. kawabato has put
his acidic fingers into. Maguiladora (www.maquiladora.cx/bio.html), a threesome from San Diego and Kawaba Makoto, the Speed Guru himself, have made two CD's worth of soft, mellow and spiritually deep moody downer psychedelia. This in one of the most beautiful albums I've heard for a while. The music is mainly played with bass, guitars, piano, organs and keyboards. The melancholic, exquisite vocals fit the, usually pretty minimal, mood perfectly. Even Kawabata is able to hold himself and stays in pretty tender atmospheres. At times you can hear tones from bands like Spiritualized and early Pink Floyd, but this is even softer. Good music for floating, that is! There are no actual percussions, and you don't really miss them either. In addition to all this, we got to hear the bubbling marks of Cotton "Super" Casino's cigarette-stained hands as a guest synthesizer player. Kiss Over is an excellent album that holds the listener in its magical grip for the whole length of the double CD. The package includes 19 tracks and nice booklet graphics. Get it!
www.acidmothers.com
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DOCTOR KETTU
Gobmi Kalasnikov
Haamumaa CD-R
This mystical collective is before this released five limited edition CD-R's on Super Metsä,
and I have been able to obtain one of those. This, their latest, is a 52 minute trip into the deep coma of humanity. The eternal drone makes you descent into strange places. There's a small upper actually only in the third track "Under the Sinlence" with the analogue noises that rise to the surface. Very deep stuff from a band that is rumoured to include also Circle memebers… Although the music is from a totally different world than the multiverse of that divine band. Gobmi Kalasnikov is thoroughly improvised free jam with a rather easy touch and style. Confusing stuff. Buy this fast before they're all gone!
www.angeltowns.com/members/haamumaa
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THE INSULT THAT MADE A MAN OUT OF MAC
Semifinal 061103 CD-single
Riemu (riemucds-006)
The only time when I've previously bumped into this band was when I was reading a comic
strip book called Konrad Orbiter. These fellows happened to make a soundtrack to that magnificent work of sci-fi.
Their next album Mutant Puzzle (Spinefarm 1994).completely passed me by. After that the band has moved more to
the area of live music, and there are less machines now. The three tracks on this CD single are some kind of
hybrid of Ministry, Godflesh and Nine Inch Nails, but spiced with the Finnish rock tradition. "Sorry" opens the
single with merciless, detuned guitar riff and tight machine drums. The groaning vocals are the cream to the cake. "Head in the Box" is more traditional Finnish indie/guitar rock, although at the end the band goes wilder with screaming vocals. "Getaway" on the other hand, is a bit slower and heavier again. This is not exactly my kind of music (not psyche!;), but this is still pretty OK stuff.
www.insult.fi/
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DIEGRINDER
Going Down
Rock Don't Suck Records (RDS001)
It's nice to get some real rock from the States to review for a change!
This stoner act from Detroit was raised up with a diet rich on Black Sabbath,
Kiss, AC/DC, Motörhead and Misfits, and this has left the fellows with an
inerasable mark. The boys have got this healthy kick-your-ass mentality and
they really let it rip with full power. These guys obviously worship their
Marshalls and Gibsons, because they seriously rock. Something like
Electric Wizard might be a good musical point of comparison. I'm guessing
this is their second release, and the CD has six tracks on it all ranging
from four to five minutes in length each, although the booklet only
mentions five of them. The stuff is bit samey, but heavy as hell.
One track in a bit different style might have been a good pick-me-up,
but I doubt if these guys care a shit about my opinion! This band
delivers good high-volume beer-drinking music that just pours out
energy when you just want to feel your trouser legs flap and don't
want to think too much. Rock! www.diegrinder.net
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ZONE SIX
Psychedelic Scripture
Sunhair (SH 003)
This is the third album by this German band mostly based on improvisation. I've only
heard the first album Early Birds with longer and more tracks before, so I can't say anything about the second one. This CD
that was released as a digipack has two over 14 minutes ("Extremadura", "The Sacred Toad")
and one over 21 minutes long track ("The Pipe Dream"). The overall feel is very relaxed and
nicely psychedelic in a bubbling way. The album was recorded already in 2000, but not released
until this year. The female singer that was on the first album is now gone, but there has been
some increase on the keyboards/synths department. The music is very cosmic and can transport
the listener to imaginary journeys into strange places beyond reality. This is rather mellow
in its mood, but weird and twisted enough so it won't put you to sleep. Someone who's more
accustomed to more active and straight-forward stuff might be a bit bored, though. There are
drums only partially on two of the tracks, the last track "Sacred Toad" only includes a tiny
bit of percussions in the middle of all the hallucinatory soundscapes. Let's lick some toad, everybody...
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SATURNIA
Hydrophonic Gardening
Mellow Records (MMP 451)
Saturnia is a band that usually functions as a duo and was founded by Portuguese multi-instrumentalist
Luis Simões in 1996. Compared to the previous album The Glitter Odd the music has changed into a bit more relaxed, and even more cosmic and psychedelic. The overall feel of the
album is very mellow and soft. The machine beat is still there, but dot so much in a trip hop/trance mode but
usually in a pretty elegantly and with ethnic flavours. Only the second track "Kozmische" has some more
aggressive drum stuff. The starter of the album is the title track full of very ambient stuff with water
sounds etc. One of the best tracks is "Sunflower" that is actually quite close to the releases of Fit & Limo
with its soft, magical acid folk atmosphere with flute, acoustic guitar and wonderful keyboards. It also has
some vocals, as do a couple of my other favourites. The magnificent "Vimania" is very oriental in mood because
of the sitar and other instruments. I'm strongly reminded of Pink Floyd particularly by the last track "Omnia"
that is one of the best tracks on the CD for sure. Hydrophonic Gardening is totally amazing album of great
soft psychedelia full of vintage keyboards, floating guitars, ethnic instruments beautiful vocals, theremin and
technology.
http://saturnia.cjb.net
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NEUMEIR-GENRICH-SCHMIDT
Psychedelic Monsterjam
Sunhair (SH 002)
Mani Neumeier (Guru Guru): drums and percussion, Ax Genrich (ex-Guru Guru): guitar and Dave Schmidt
(ex-Liquid Visions, Weltraumstaunen, Zone Six, Sula Bassana): bass jam together from time to time, and
this album is put together from two of their live jam sessions in Würtzburg in 2003. Also included are
three old Guru Guru classics ("Stone In", "Next Time See You at the Dalai Lhama" and "Electric Junk").
They have resurrected the early kraut and space rock feel in a glorious way, and it's really nice that
they have also recorded some of these rare performances, albeit from the stage and only with two mics.
The sound is totally okay, though, and you can hear everything very well. All these gentlemen are excellent
musicians, and their improvisation flows out of them with ease. Particularly Genrich's guitar work is at
times very mind-expanding. Neumeier's percussion bring in some exciting ethnic flavours quite often.
Schmidt is an able and innovative bass player, and he is doing very nicely with these living legends.
I would also like to see this trio live. This CD is a very recommendable purchase for all the Guru Guru
fans and also for others who are into psychedelic improvisation.
www.psychedelic-network.de
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WELTRAUMSTAUNEN
Weltraumwelt
Nasoni Records (CD 005/LP 029)
Weltraumstaunen is one of the best German psychedelia bands at the moment. It was founded in 1998
by Dave Schmidt (who at the time also played bass in Liquid Visions and Zone Six) and Andi Heinrich,
the singer/guitarist of Growing Seeds. Their first album, also released by Nasoni, is absolutely
one of the best psych albums of the new generation that has been released in Germany, and the
first pressing is already a collector's item. This, their second album, was recorded already
a couple of years ago, but released this year. The tracks are now shorter; there is only room for
one over ten minutes long track "Farsifadelic". The band combines space rock, psychedelic rock and
kraut in a marvellous way, and is at times very psychedelic and cosmic, mostly due to Dave's effects.
Andi is a die-hard Bevis Frond fan, and that shows a bit in his playing. Occasionally the band goes
to the stoner rock universe with its heaviness. The best tracks in my opinion are "Black Dove Part I"
and "Black Dove Part II" that start and end the album, and the extremely psychedelic "Hoffmans Mahl".
All in all, this is a very cool album, and if you dig modern psychedelic rock you're going to love this.
www.weltraumstaunen.de
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THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES
Origin Vol. 1
Warner/Telegram (5050467-1491-2-0)
I'm terrified with fear if a band that I really like has gained a huge success
and a new album is coming out. Sometimes my fears come true and the music is
awful commercial shit and has lost almost everything that I used to love.
The Swedish TSOOL have not sold-out, they have only tightened their grip and
wrote even better songs than before. Phew! Their latest album Behind The Music
released in 2001 was already successful for example in the USA, and I really
wish that this new one will get them into the position where Oasis will support
them on tour and not the other way around. TSOOL just happens to be at least
million times better band.
Although there are no weak songs on the album, I wonder why they put
"Believe I've Found" as the first track. This mid-tempo, not very memorable
song could have worked better a bit later. The next two tracks, on the
other hand, are totally unbelievable! "Transcendental Suicide" begins with
a pretty pizzicato guitar in the spirit of Love and soon changes into The Who
styled power chords. This is one of TSOOL songs that makes the cold shivers go
through my spine. Totally amazing hit song that after a psychedelic intermediate
phase goes into the first single track of the album, called "Bigtime". This is
TSOOL at its tightest; I can even detect sort of metronome-exact combination of
kraut rock and punky new wave. This is a rough one, and it's really great that
the single has climbed to the top of the Swedish charts! Congratulations!
"Heading for a Breakdown" cools down the mood a bit in The Rolling Stones mode,
but then we go full speed with a high-octane, The Stooges-spirited track called
"Mother One Track Mind". Excellent!
"Midnight Children" is the only song on the album that goes too close to the syrupy,
commercial light-music line. Ebbot sounds like some kind of a crossbreeding between
Lou Reed and Leonard Cohen. The fellows had an old single by one French female
singer at the studio, and they decided they just had to get her to sing in French
on this tracks as well, which is quite fun. "Lone Summer Dream" is nice and sunny
60's psike pop, "Royal Explosion (Part II)" reminds me of The Who at its most
psychedelic. It has some spacey noises going around and the vocals are mixed in
a very interesting way. Acoustic guitar jingles very nicely in a track called
"Wheels of Boredom" and it also has a shal-la-lal-lal-lal-lal chorus. "Bordeline"
is a pleasant pop piece, "Song for the Others" a beautiful ballad with piano and
acoustic guitars. The last track "Age of No Reply" is the longest on the album,
and there are some groovy phaser effects creating a feeling that now I'm having
a flashback. A good ending for a superb album that everybody who's interested in
the 21. century hippie rock that respects the traditions but still sounds fresh
should have. It's great to be able to see the band live again at Tavastia on 13.12.!!!
I think that TSOOL is one of the most important bands at the moment and the best
stuff that Sweden has to offer, in addition to Dungen.
www.tsool.com
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THE DAVOLINAS
Edge of a New Day
Promotional advance CD
The Davolinas from Denmark has progressed a lot since their demo from last year
that I've also reviewed for Psychotropic Zone (Demo 2003).
They have played with great stoner and psych bands like Colour Haze, Sgt. Sunshine and
Liquid Visions and the also have a new bass player. During the summer they went to
Germany and recorded this, album in Hannover. The album has eleven tracks on it, and
it's going to be officially released in January 2005. The music is now more in the
stoner rock vein, and this album rocks very hard. There are still some garage influences,
but this time more from other kinds of psychedelic rock. The compositions, production and
especially the playing works nowadays much better, and they have gained some kind of
deepness and maturity. There are many nice songs on the album, for example a bit slower
"Happiness Is Fragile" that reminds me of similar ballad-like tracks by On Trial or
Liquid Visions, another peaceful and the longest and most psychedelic track on the
album "Gotta Connect", the heavy title track, "Exit Repression" and a wild garage
track "I Want You To Burn With Me". The main point about this album is that it's
heavy stuff. This is going to be a good release so check it out.
www.davolinas.dk
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GHOST ROCKET
Fuzzatan
Self-released CD-R
Ghost Rocket is a new band by ex-On Trial guitarist Morten Aron playing 60's psychedelic
garage punk. Morten has released two solo albums of dark and gloomy acid folk since his
departure from On Trial, but now he's back from his journeys among the dead and wants to
play some fresh rock also alive. Other members of Ghost Rocket are Nick Hasselby: fuzz bass
and backing vocals, Garage Claus Olsen: pounding drums and Nikolai Vilhelm Tell: swirling
organs. Morten himself plays fuzz guitars and does the snotty vocals that really sound
different from his vocals on his Among the Dead solo, for example. The band was friendly
enough to send me their latest recordings dating from July of this year. They are planning to
release these on vinyl. This is tough and energetic stuff for sure, and made in a real 60's
garage spirit. "Drug Freedom" is one of the obvious hit songs, but there are several others,
as well. The production on the album is very reduced and raw, an idea apparently adapted from
their idols and a very suitable one for this kind of music, too! Ghost Rocket is not extremely
psychedelic, it's more like they concentrate on the raw power and dirty, loud punk side of things,
although there are a couple of more melodic and peaceful tracks too. I would say that for
example most of the Baby Woodrose fans will dig this too. There could even be a bit more guitar
solos if you ask me, but on the other hand the organ player fills this void very fluently.
The only negative side to this album is that it's too short; only a bit less than half an hour.
This is great stuff and I'm really looking forward to get this on vinyl and so should be you!
www.ghostrocket.dk
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CHERRY OVERDRIVE
Demo
Self-released CD-R
Cherry Overdrive is Copenhagen-based all girl band playing rather noisy and heavy rock.
The say it's garage rock meets psyche, but I think it's closer to for example Sonic Youth
and occasionally reminds me a bit of the Finnish Bitch Alert, although there is some
60's feel on a couple of tracks and the guitar work is occasionally even pretty psychedelic.
The singer and other guitarist of C. O. Lene also plays and sings in a somewhat more
stoner rock oriented group The Davolinas. She has a very original and pleasant voice,
with maybe a bit Janis Joplin-like touch. This, their first demo, has four tracks.
"Sharks" is an energetic track with a fast chorus. "Don't Trash My Tail" reminds me of
The Ramones, a really catchy chorus on this one. "Transparent" is a fine, slower track
not too far away from Nirvana. There's even a bass solo in there! The last, quit laid-back
"Story of a Girl With No Name", has an interesting bass pattern. This actually sounds
a bit like the Finnish "almost-girl-band" Branded Women. The track grows towards the end,
and we get to hear some nice, heavy psych guitars! A great ending, more something like this,
please. All the tracks can be found in MP3 format on the band's web site at www.cherryoverdrive.com.
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KAWABATO MAKOTO
O Si Amos A Sighire A Essere Duas Umbras?
Important Records (imprec037)
Although I've been very interested, especially lately, in releases by
the Japanese Acid Mothers Temple, this is the first solo album I've
heard by the collective's leader. O Si Amos A Sighire A Essere Duas Umbras?
was created after Kawabata Makoto had a very spiritual experience in Sardinia,
Italy, where he, according to his own words, found his own cosmos and received
many wonderful vibrations. The two tracks colossal in length based on
improvisation are his first works after that cosmic experience and they
describe it. The first track Ses Aintro 'e mene finzas Si Ses In S'Atter'Ala E Su Mundu"
is the first track that Kawabata has ever recorded with only acoustic guitar.
The other, title track is played with only one electric guitar. On both tracks
the guitar is driven through three individual reverb echoes and one delay, and
that's all. As one might guess, the overall mood of the album is very meditative
and sublime. This CD is well suited for listening with headphones, and leaves
the listener into a very relaxed state. The second track, in particular, really
fills the listener with pleasant vibrations, if you truly pay attention to it.
This is not very social music, unless maybe if you want to share a pot of special
magic tea with a close friend, for example... If you want to hear some screaming
guitars and infernal noise, concentrate on other releases by Kawabata, but if
you're up for a deep journey with minimal but celestial atmospheres, try this album.
The beautiful pictures on the covers taken by Kawabata himself in Sardinia also help
the cause.
www.importantrecords.com
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CUL DE SAC / DAMO SUZUKI
Abhayamudra
Strange Attractors Audio House (SAAH2728)
Wow! Damo Suzuki and his playing pals leave you gasping for your breath.
I saw Damo Suzuki in Helsinki in October 2002 (supported by Kuusumun profeetta
and Mother Goose!), and this was one of the best gigs I've ever seen.
Japanese-born Damo was the singer of the legendary Can and one of the
kraut rock pioneers. He's got a habit of inviting musicians from all
over the world and play tours with them without any kind of rehearsals.
The music is composed on the same spot it is performed. The musicians
just give each other some signs where to go next. Damo call this way of
making music instant composing, and it does describe well the nature of improvisation.
Prior to this, Damo has already released several live albums already
under the name Damo Suzuki's Network, for example. This new double CD
that will be released in at the start of November includes recordings
made on the tours all over USA and Europe with Boston-based psych/kraut
band Cul De Sac in 2002 and 2003. As is usually the case with improvisation,
some times it works better and some times not so well, but Damo tends to
record all of his concerts, so there's a lot of stuff to choose from.
Most of the tracks are long, and they are titled just according to the
city and serial number, like "Baltimore 5" or "Frankfurt 4". There would
have been no reason to name them in any other way, since Damo seems to
singing in a language of his own imagination, although I think I can
occasionally spot a few words in English. His delivery differs in between
peaceful whispering and total screaming that sounds misleadingly like
a pig that is to be slaughtered. He succeeds in getting unbelievable
emotional charges into his performance. Cul De Sac was forced to play at
the edge of their abilities and to be really bold, but the music works
usually just great, especially on the more energetic, pounding and
repetitive kraut rhythms. Excellent players, and also their own music is
worth checking out. All in all, this is a very recommendable album of
psychedelic and experimental stuff that keeps you in its grip for the
whole almost 138 minutes long trip. The album includes a fine, 16 page
booklet, as well.
www.damosuzuki.de
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SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE
The Manifestation
Strange Attractors Audio House (SAAH026)
Six Organs of Admittance is psychedelic folk project by Ben Chasny from California.
The Manifestation was a one-sided, 12-inch EP, having a primitive carved etching of
the sun on the other side. This 2000 release has become a real collector's item, so
this CD re-release was surely necessary. Ben decided to include another long track for
this release. He got this crazy (?) idea from somewhere to put the stylus of the vinyl player into
different parts of the sun etching on the vinyl and then play it. On top of this he played some acoustic guitar
for the planets, and in addition David Tibet (Current 93) made a recitation for the part that deals with the Earth.
The original "The Manifestation" is a magnificent, dark and psychedelic master piece of pagan and primitive folk
that puts you in a trance. Other players include Utrillo Kushner (percussion, electronics) and Jennifer Juniper
Stratford (voice, electric guitar, percussion). This long track that has a very shamanistic atmosphere is some
sort of an anthem to the Sun. It's really nice that this is available again. The new, long bonus track "The Six Stations"
works also well on the record, although the noise from the sun etching needs some getting used to... Nevertheless, the track
includes dome fine acoustic guitar work that seems to be pretty much improvisation-based. The CD is packed in
a cool digipak featuring some original hand-written notes about the project by Chasny, and these really add
to the mystical touch...
www.sixorgansofadmittance.com
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VARIOUS ARTISTS
267 purkkia liimaa
267 Lattajjaa (LTJ-18)
267 lattajjaa is a Finnish CD-R label specialising in psychedelic and
weird underground music. There have been almost 30 releases so far,
and many of these are sold out. 267 purkkia liimaa (267 cans of glue in English)
is a lengthy compilation of the releases by the label,
and there are also some unreleased tracks including a few wonders
from abroad, as well. Most of the tracks are rather lo-fi stuff,
which pisses me off a bit at times. It feels like a bad sound is
some sort of a guarantee for quality in this genre. I can understand
very well, that this kind of underground music is made in home-conditions and
that it might only be released in a very small quantity, but shouldn't they
still try a bit harder? It is possible to get reasonable results even with
primitive methods. Oh well, that's all I want to criticise. The contents of
the album are very varied, and I really like a lot of the tracks on the album.
The musical styles vary in between kraut, psychedelia, ambient, noise, folk,
experimental and who knows what. Many of the songs a re also pretty funny,
others even frightening. There as many as 28 tracks on the album, clicking
together at almost 80 minutes. This works great for me as an introduction
to the releases of 267 lattajjaa, and I must confess that I became more
interested than I though I would. This is absolutely worth checking out if
you're interested in strange Finnish underground music.
www.dlc.fi/~hhaahti/267lattajjaa
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ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE & THE MELTING PRAISO U.F.O
Does The Cosmic Shepherd Dream of Electric Tapirs?
Space Age Recordings (ORBIT041CD)
Oh yeah, AMT continues its busy album release schedule, and I'm glad it does.
This time the record company is the English Space Age Recordings, who normally
concentrate on Spacemen 3 and related material. AMT seems to have taken some
influences from my favourite writer Philip K. Dick on their album and also
track titles, which warms my heart, of course... And Dick's ideology suits well
these Japanese freaks, as well! Does The Cosmic Shephard Dream of Electric Tapirs?
includes six tracks that present pretty well the whole musical scale of the band.
The album is opened with "Daddy's Bare Meet" that after the more quiet intro
with synthesisers and narration transforms into a total space chaos and guitar
noise mayhem. "Suzie Sixteen" is a humoristic, acoustic piece with falsetto vocals.
Then follows "Hello Good Child" that has also been released on a single and is
stylistically close to Pink Floyd, "Echoes" springs up to mind listening to it.
This is a marvellous track with female and male vocals, organ, acoustic guitar and
nice space sounds. A great choice for a single release, and some of the best
stuff on this album.
"The Assassin's Beautiful Daughter" is also an acoustic track that in addition to
vocals has some flute too. Quite nice, although the flute plays a bit in the different
scale... Then it's turn for the album's longest and heaviest track, a mammoth-like riff
crusher "Dark Star Blues" that the band played live on their latest American tour.
This is a fundamentally earth-shaking experience based on a one repetitive guitar riff
with some wild solos and freak-out on top of it. The track also features exquisite
vocals by Cotton Casino. The album ends in a whole different mood with Kawabata's
minimalism that soothes the mind and soul in the style of "In D" that can be found on
the In C album. AMT have made another great, experimental and psychedelic album, and
it will have lots of stuff to marvel at and explore for a long time, that's all
I can really say. And there are three new albums on their way already...
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GREYSCALE
Cruel Machine
Camera Obscura Records (CAM068CD)
Greyscale is a Melbourne-based trio playing instrumental post-psych-rock
a bit in the style of Mogwai, Tortoise and GSYBE. I'm also somewhat reminded
about the Finish Magyar Posse, and at times also Pink Floyd and Porcupine Tree.
The sound of the band is formed with the dialogue between pedal steel and
de-tuned guitars, vintage keyboards, analogue synthesisers, programming,
samples and drums. The band has also experimented with a lot of other
instruments like banjo, 12-string acoustic guitar, melodica and short
wave radio. Although the album includes quite a kot of programming and loops,
they have still retained the pleasurable, organic flow. The major part of the
album is rather laid-back, repetitive atmospheric stuff, but there are also
a few heavier moments. The tracks are rather short, and most of them were
originally just improvised live, and then they added the necessary over-dubs.
This system seems to work very well. Greyscale is nice, psychedelic stuff,
and this is in fact one of the best post rock albums I've heard for a long time.
There are no weak numbers on this album, I would say. It's worthwhile to listen
to a couple of tracks from the album at:
www.satyrswitch.com.
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SATYRSWITCH
The High Lonesome Sound of Satyrswitch
Camera Obscura Records (CAM069CD)
Satyrswitch is an acoustic project by Jason Kesselring from Minneapolis.
Jason is well-known in the Minneapolis psychedelic underground as a member of
bands Skye Klad and Blitzen. Primitive American folk music and guitarists
like Davey Graham and Bert Jansch are close to Jason's heart, and so he
decided to start playing this kind of acoustic cowboy folk. He got a few
friends and his wife to help him out on this album. This is not exactly
country music, but at times it's pretty close. The production and playing
is great, but I must say that this kind of music doesn't really touch me
that much. There are both Kesselring's own compositions and traditional
songs on the CD. I think that the most famous track is "Ghost Riders in the Sky".
I feel that this would need Johnny Cash as a singer, and it has to be said that
Jason is not even close to Cash's charisma and emotional state as a singer.
The album gets better in the end, for example the instrumental "Israfel" is okay,
and so are the last three, a bit more mystical tracks. I was still slightly
disappointed with this album because, let's face it, it's not at all psychedelic,
and on the other hand, not traditional and atmospheric enough to work on that level.
www.satyrswitch.com
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KEIJO
Soon with the Sun
267 Lattajjaa (LTJ-21)
Keijo is a very airy ambient psychedelia producing life form,
apparently from Jyväskylä, Finland. Keijo is a Finnish first
name (my late grand father was called Keijo), but I don't know
if this Keijo in question is some kind of a symbiosis, community
or a monocelled organism, but who cares. As far as production
values go, this release is definitely in the highest caste of
its weird underground genre, since the sound is really good and
it's a truly enjoyable experience to listen to this CD-R. The album
has a sort of archaic, primitive mood, even though modern
technology has been skilfully used among string instruments and
other more traditional stuff. On a track called "On Ahti's Boat"
there are even some vocals. At times I'm reminded of the releases by
Porcupine Tree leader Steven Wilson's Bass Communion project. This
album is well suited for those secret late-night sessions that you
really don't discuss about at work or at school... If you are fond of
exciting, awesome ambient psychedelia, you should order this experimental
disc (5 € Finland, 6 € Europe, 6 € other) before it faces extinction as
has been the case with the releases by many of Keijo's label mates.
www.dlc.fi/~hhaahti/267lattajjaa
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TIVOL
Breathtaking Sounds of Tivol
267 Lattajjaa (LTJ-08)
This is an exiting 3" CD-R by Imatra-based Tivoli, and it was recorded already in
December 2002. The band has released at least one CD-R besides this one, and that's
all I know about them. This tiny little disc includes two over ten minutes long
instrumental, energetic psych rock tracks. The band is formed of Askola, Ihanamäki,
Kettunen and Nevalainen, and these fellows can really create quite a noise. The group
seems to trust in the power of repetition, and they jam like hell on top of it. The guitar
sounds are pretty hard, and they use loads of space effects. The heavy drums add to the
power of the music. It sounds like the band has quite punky touch in their improvisation,
but suitably equipped with psychedelic ingredients. I wonder if they have listened to some
Sonic Youth at some point, as well? There are also some kraut rock elements to be detected.
The sound is pretty cellar recording standard, but it doesn't really bother that much here.
It would be nice hear the band a bit more, and I'm sure they would explode your head live.
The price is only 5 € for Europe, 7 € elsewhere, so why don't you too get introduced to
this band.
www.dlc.fi/~hhaahti/267lattajjaa/index.html
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PUMICE
Raft
Last Visible Dog (LVD062)
Oh well, yet some more weird lo-fi bumbling around to review.
Pumice means a very light rock that is formed when lava, filled
with gas, cools down quickly above ground, by the way. Stefan
Neville is from New Zeeland, and on his latest offering he plays
strange strumming, drone and sometimes rather de-tuned chaos, as
well, and all this fits very well into the Last Visible Dog style.
So this is not exactly my kind of music, I must point out. This
one-man-band uses at least guitars, effects, voice, some primitive
organs (pump organ?) and drums in its music making. Pumice is usually
at its best on the instrumental, mystical drones (tracks "Ridge" and
"Awe or Oar" on the album) and at its worst on the tangled, out-of-tune
"rock" pieces (for example "Warmhorn/Classicalfist"), that makes you
wonder whether you should laugh or cry. A few folk-spirited blasts
are okay. I'd rather listen to Kemialliset ystävät, but I must confess
that Stefan has a pretty special approach to making "music", as well,
and that this, soon to be released CD has its good moments. Stefan is
planning a European tour next spring, so maybe we can hear at
Psychotropic Zone what the man can achieve live... www.lvd.4mg.com
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CUCUMBER FARMER
Beyond
American Brothers (ABROS3)
It's strange how this kind of a band could have been together for ten
years now without my knowledge? Well, better late than never and now
was a perfect time in that sense that the band has now released their
first full length, and it might be more in the line of my musical taste
than the previous little releases. This Helsinki-Tampere-based art
collective (that's what they call themselves) plays, at least on this CD,
some great art/post/psych/space rock. The opener of the album,
"Sabbath of Reynolds", starts quietly, until the crunching guitars
reminiscent of early Circle take over. The singer keeps on singing
"praise the Lord, since he's the saviour" all over again, so I guess
this is kind spiritual in nature. The second track "Sovhoosi" also
reminds me of Circle, but in a bit more meditative, hazy and mystical way.
There is also for example some keyboard-driven stuff, female vocals even in
French, a short humour piece "Tivoli" in German and all kinds of other stuff
to be found on this album. It is ended with rather heavy version of
"Interstellar Overdrive" by Pink Floyd, and it completes the whole in
a very fine way. Cucumber Farmer is an extremely interesting band, and
I would really like to see them live, as well. The band seems to have
a habit of organizing all kinds of weird stuff like a panel conversation
about Billy Ido'sl music videos followed by the band playing live these
tracks in question in sync to these videos. Hail Avant-Garde. Buy this
album! www.americanbrothers.com
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COLOUR HAZE
S/T
Elektrohasch Records (Electrohasch 003)
I believe that the German Colour Haze have made their best album so far.
This untitled new album was recorded and mixed totally analogue in just
a few days. The sound is very alive and real with all kinds of little
hums etc. Stefan, the guitar player promised, that the soon to be released
vinyl version will sound even better... The basic power trio has been backed
up with an electric piano player (on one short, acoustic number "Solitude")
and in addition Dave Schmidt aka Sula Bassana plays some nice space sounds
with EMS VCS-3 synthesizer on a massive track "Peace, Brothers and Sisters!"
that is over 22 minutes long. I guess the band's music should be called
stoner rock in lack of a better description. At least there are a lot of
70's vibes in there, especially these, sort of love and peace themes
(tracks called "Love" and "Flowers" can also be found on the album), and
at times the music is very heavy. There are also surprisingly many pretty,
more acoustic parts to be found on the CD. The music is actually very
progressive and jamming, but it really doesn't sound like progressive rock.
In fact, the band sounds very original; I guess they have found their own style.
There are still some echoes of the stars of the classic rock, which is not
a bad thing as such. I do enjoy this more than the previous releases that
I've heard by the band, so I can warmly recommend this to those who like original,
a bit psychedelic and exciting rock. Check out the band's cool web site at www.colourhaze.de.
[ back to top ]
GAS GIANT/COLOUR HAZE split 7"
Elektrohasch Records (EH 90)
This is nice new split single featuring excellent stoner rock!
The Danish Gas Giant is one of the heaviest and best bands of
the genre at the moment, and I was really looking forward to their
song "Mama Cool". The track was born when the band spent some time
on the tour at the place of this middle-aged German hippie woman who
was called Mama Cool. The boys were apparently rather flattered about
her hospitality, when they decided to immortalise her into their song.
It's a good, little less than 4 minutes long rock piece, pretty standard
Gas Giant stuff. At the end the percussions join in and this gives the
tracks some more colour. I guess this was the drummer Tommy's last
contribution for the band, which is sad.
On the other side there's a unique version of a track called "Mountain" by
German band Colour Haze. A bit different version can also be found on their
recently released new CD. This is so long track, that this sides spins at
33 1/3 rpm. It begins quite peacefully with clean sound, until the band
hits the fuzz pedal with full force and starts to rock seriously. The track
needs some time to fully open, but after a few listening times it's a very
rewarding experience. Colour Haze is a pretty original band. So, this is very
fine little record that works also well as a whole. The artwork of Malleus is
always a pleasure to watch, as well. www.elektrohasch.de
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THE BEVIS FROND
Hit Squad
Woronzow Records (WOO 56)
Although it's only been two years since the previous The Bevis Frond album
What Did for the Dinosaurs was released, I was already really looking forward
to this new one. It's no secret that the band has been one of my absolute
favourites for over ten years now. Only Nick Salomon can combine 60's psychedelia,
Neil Young guitar rock, Jimi Hendrix, blues, the power of punk, melodic Beatles pop,
singer/songwriter tradition and folk so skilfully and with style. Nick's trusted
bassist Adrian Shaw is naturally still with him, and I really can't imagine anybody
more suitable for the band. There is some fresh blood on the drums, though: Jules Fenton
does the job with enthusiasm and energy, he's an excellent drummer. There are also
some guests as usual: Roddy Lorimer on trumpet, Nick's daughter Debbie on vocals,
Paul Simmons on guitar etc. Gary Ramon (Sun Dial) was also supposed to play guitar
on a song called "Crumbs", but he was unfortunately unable to make it into the studio
because his daughter was ill.
There are 18 new tracks on the album, most of which are rather short. Only three of
them are over 5 minutes long. I don't know how hard Nick has tried, but a lot of the
tracks certainly have some radio potential. Rather fast, catchy ones are the most
common ones. My own favourites include the almost nine minutes long "Through the Hedge"
(it doesn't feel like it's more than five minutes, by the way!) simulating the old
Bevis sound, heavy and rough "Mission Completed", radio friendly "Flood Warning",
beautiful acoustic number "Crumbs", organ driven "No Attempt" and the last, psychedelic
and dreamy long "Fast Falls the Eventide". The title track sounds like the original
Batman theme, and is a funny counterblow against all those people who made music business
so crooked. The same theme is also evident on the whacky cover art. The other lyrics are
of guaranteed Salomon quality, as well. It's really nice that there are some more keyboards
than there have been for a while, even some Hawkwind-like swirls. Nicks solo guitar pours
into your soul, as it always does. The sound is this time perfect, so this seems like the
best Frond album for at least ten years. Just get it, and do everything in your power to
make this, one of the world's most underrated bands, to get the recognition it deserves!
www.woronzow.co.uk
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VIVA VERTIGO
Viva Viva (Edie Sedgwick) CD Single
Bad Afro Records (FROCDS011)
Viva Vertigo is a new band from Copenhagen led by singer/songwriter Simon Beck.
He has some known names in his group from for example The Raveonettes (Sune Rose Wagner,
Jakob Hoyer) and Jeff Buckley Band (Mick Grondahl). Viva Viva is the first single from
the album with a same title that I, unfortunately, haven't heard. This particular track is
about a woman called Edie Sedgwick, who was part of the Andy Warhol posse. Drugs, rock star
boyfriends and tragic early death are naturally involved. This is a nice, energetic track,
and I guess it's close to garage. There's also a black and white video made of this one.
"Shangri-La", the other track on the single is a bit more laid-back, beautiful and melodic
autumnal song, also very nice. Although I wouldn't exactly call this psychedelic, I've
noticed that I like this single more and more after every listening. I guess I have to
get the album as well, since this is pretty interesting guitar rock. www.badafro.dk
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BABY WOODROSE
Dropout!
Bad Afro Records (AFROLP021/CD021)
Danish Baby Woodrose is beginning to be a hot name in the garage rock circles.
I think that they are absolutely the best band of the genre's modern exponents.
Their music shows respect to the 60's psychedelic garage rock. Dropout! includes
covers by the guys' favourite bands from the wild 60's. Love ("Can't Explain",
will also be released on single), The 13th Floor Elevators ("I Don't Ever Wanna
Come Down"), Captain Beefheart ("Dropout Boogie"), The Sonics ("I'm Going Home"),
The Stooges ("Not Right") and The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band ("A Child of
a Few Hours") and four other, a bit more obscure bands have been objected to a new
treatment. A combining theme of many of the songs, as the title suggests, seems to
be rebelliousness and being anti-society, but the most important common factor is
that all these bands have influenced Baby Woodrose in a big way while writing their
own songs. Because of that, this album does sound a lot like their other albums:
really great! They have managed to capture the original mood of the 60's, although
the production has more quality and the sound is far better (thanks Ralph!). I think
that especially the singer/guitarist Lorenzo Woodrose is one of the hottest psych
dudes of the moment, and he can squash an enormous amount of feel and balls into
his playing and singing. Since the drummer and bass player are also very much up
to their jobs the band sounds really good also on this record and rocks like hell.
Just buy this album that is to be released on the 20th of September and float with
the groovy beats of the 60's.
www.babywoodrose.com
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H.R. FUNK N`PUFF
Songs from the Electric Greenwood
Big Butt Recordings
H.R. Funk n' Puff is an American guy named Moss. He describes his music as
psychedelic techno bluegrass. He has taken some influences for example from
early Pink Floyd, Chemical Brothers, Donovan and hillbilly music. There are
also some ethnic instruments like didgeridoo and rain stick. The guy has managed
to put together a very interesting and pleasant whole with so varied material.
There is also a lot of humour to be found on the album, which is a big plus. Moss
plays most of the instruments by himself and does the programming. He also has a very
good singing voice, and it plays an important role on the album. Songs from the Electric
Greenwood includes many great songs, but the best in my opinion are the excellent
"Synaesthesia", slow and mystical "Garden of Summer" reminding me a bit of the feel
of "Set the Controls..." by Pink Floyd and a somewhat more computerised "Zoe" featuring
some Mellotron and Barret styled melodies. "Holy Roller" and "The Shack (Spinlow)"
are mushroom hillbilly tracks with banjo, rather original stuff. By far the funniest
track on the album is still the last "Closing the Circle" that is some kind of a joke
about commercial techno. The song is full of commercial messages like "buy this record now"
and "I'm selling out", and among other things have clues to the teenage girls about the
many pictures of the good looking Moss in his dreadlocks in the booklet... Hilarious.
This is good hippie music combining together the psychedelic past with the modern age
in a fine way. It's worthwhile to check out Moss's web site at www.funknpuff.com.
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JOSIAH
Into the Outside
Molten Records (MELT CD 007)
This is the second CD by the British power trio. There have been some
changes after the first album. The Black Sabbath influences have,
unfortunately, diminished substantially, and the guitar sound has
changed lighter and there's less bass in it. In stead they have
incorporated some more 70's hard rock feel and 80's hair metal.
A couple of wilder, better songs ("Scarlatti Tilt", "Keep on Pushin'")
remind me of MC5, and they actually sound quite a lot like Helsinki-based Spiha,
only lighter. "Beyond" is like Soundgarden. There's quite a hectic and restless
atmosphere on the album, like the guys were heavily on speed at the recordings.
I for one am having trouble keeping up with them. There's also one acoustic
instrumental "Sylvie" in there, and at the end there is one great song "Unwind Your Mind",
reminding me of a track by Monster Magnet, "Magic Potion" by the late 60's psych wonder
Open Mind, and there's even some Sam Gopal feel, but without the tablas. I only wish the
whole album could have been in this style, 'cause then I'd have liked it a lot more! Still,
the playing is very tight and energetic, and this sure rocks. Guitar solos are still rather
psychedelic at times. Maybe action rock fans should check this out, but it doesn't do
that much for example psychedelic stoners, in my opinion.
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STASI COMBO
Reptile Twist & Bestial Wail
Private release
This mini LP is the first release by Stasi Combo. First of all
I must congratulate on the marvellous idea to release a vinyl
that also has the same music on CD along! The music of this
Helsinki-based trio is sort of late 60's/early 70's styled
(garage) rock with little psychedelic extras. The band has
been playing some gigs in the metropolitan area recently.
The voice of singer/guitarist Severi Karila sounds at times
very much like Jimbo, and they have taken rather much of
influences from the Doors in other ways, as well. The chorus
of the song called "Stone Cold Morning" reminds me of the
Grateful Dead. "Whip Song" is so energetic that MC5 comes to mind.
In "Humanoia" there is also a keyboard player and a mystical
percussionist called Miquel Camarazzia... Severi's voice works
usually better on the more rocking numbers than on the ballads.
This is ok stuff, but the whole record suffers from a somewhat
thin sound. The album cover mentions the following address, which
is not working at the moment: www.stasicombo.com. You can also try
to send email to severi.karila@helsinki.fi.
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ON TRIAL
Live
Molten Records (MELT CD 006)
Great, finally a live album by one of my favourite groups! On Trail
played last year a blazing live set in Copenhagen. The gig was held at
a very comfortable hippie part of the town called Christiania which,
unfortunately, is now taken over by the police. On Trial have gained
a reputation of being a storming live band, and not without a reason.
I've never been able to see them, but this live album proves that they
go wild. Band's music is influenced by 60's psychedelic rock but still
doesn't sound out-dated. It has both emotion and substance. There are
some of the best tracks from their three previous studio albums and
a few covers of 60's psych classics, and there's even a bit of jam on
the album. The twin-guitar fuzz orgy of the band gets you high for sure.
The sound on the album is excellent, and the only thing that bothers me
a bit is the obviously added audience applause. There are some really
great compositions played and sung very well and with emotion. When they
rock, they go ahead with full energy, but the band also masters the more
peaceful, melancholic tracks that almost make you cry. I also like the
excellent front cover a lot. This marvellous CD will be out at the end of
September, so there's only one thing to do: pre-order now! You won't be
disappointed. www.molten-records.com,
www.ontrial.dk.
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Various Artists:
FLAMONGO SANOMAT
Flamongo (FLAM-0LPA)
Okay, this was released some time ago, but for some reason I didn't get to review it until now.
Explanations aside, this is a compilation vinyl of Finnish electronic underground club music.
I was mainly interested in it because it includes the so far only vinyl appearance of Rättö
and Lehtisalo (from Circle etc. fame). The covers are made in a newspaper style and are very
funny including wacky stories and also references to the artists in Finnish. The music is
mostly groovy, funky electronic music. Jah Mullet and Bible Black's track is some kind of
digital dub reggae, and there's even some jazzy stuff with horns etc. Uusi Fantasia performs
their track "Faija", and it has some very nice synth sounds. The last track by Tuomo Kari Puronen
is more ambient in nature. This is pretty OK music in every aspect, but the kraut spirited space
disco piece "Valonnopeus" by Rättö & Lehtisalo is by far the best.
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ARCHITECTURAL METAPHOR
Other Music
Kairos Records (afr-200-2)
This is a live CD by one of the best US space rock groups. The band has been stripped down to a trio.
Singer/drummer Dep Young left the band after their Strange Daze 2000 gig, which is sad, since female
voice really suited the band's almost symphonic style, I think. Well, they now have another female
singer in sight, so maybe they will solve the problem. Latest addition to the line-up is Patrick Murphy
from Dinosaur JR on drums. Also in the band are the founder member Paul Eggleston with his massive keyboard
arsenal and Greg Kozlowski whose effect pedal collection is very respectful. There has never been a bass
player in this band formed in 1984. After the Creature of the Velvet Void album released on Black Widow
Records in 1997 the band haven't really put out any new studio material, so live albums are welcome.
Other Music includes a couple of new tracks, a couple of ArcMet classics and a few covers. "On the Run" isn't
one of the most usual Pink Floyd tracks to cover, and their version sounds nice. Another big influence for
the band is Hawkwind, and we got to hear their instrumental version of "Hassan I Sahba" and at the end of
the CD also a short narration piece "Welcome to the Future". The guys can create an unbelievable rich sound
with just the three of them, and the playing is flawless. Sequencers are at times used to bring in some
Tangerine Dream feel. Paul is talented keyboard player and uses a lot of heavy, full chords and nice sound
effects. Greg plays a LOT of melodic solos that fill in the absence of vocals very well. The selection of
Pat Murphy as a new drummer was also definitely a good move. The sound quality on the CD is comfortable,
but not absolutely great. Other Music is available directly from the band for 12$ US & Canada, 15$ rest of
the world. I hope that this great band will manage to get a new studio album together soon, as well.
www.geocities.com/arcmetgreg
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CIRCLE
Golem/Vesiliirto
Kevyt nostalgia (KENO-05/SUPER-012)
Although Circle has been leading a quiet life for a while now, they luckily don't run out of material to be released.
This double vinyl of 500 copies includes one live album (Golem) that was recorded at their Semifinal gig last year
with Los Natas, and a studio album Vesiliirto. Unfortunately I missed that gig, so this release gives some consolation.
There are five tracks on Golem and all the titles sound like the boys have chopped 50 track titles by some heavy/thrash/
black/death metal bands and then clued the words together in random order to make new titles. Funny, especially since
the tracks are not really heavy, except maybe the end of "True Incubus from Beyond". That same track actually sounds at
times like the track "Metsän henget", by the way. The recordings have been rather heavily manipulated during the mixing,
and the result is really hazy. Some of the stuff is a bit straighter. "At War with Mercy" is actually psychobilly, and
"Forbidden Steel Patriot" is a short, peaceful Rhodes track with vocals.
The studio record is a rather different affair. Vesiliirto was apparently recorded at the same sessions as the
confusingly accepted Guillotine. There is some very weird stuff on the album in a sort of experimental lo-fi spirit
similar to Avarus; Kemialliset ystävät etc., but luckily there is also some more traditional Circle, as there were
on Guillotine. This stuff is best represented by "Tuliset miekat käsissä". Improvisation and even black humour are
playing an important role. "Neljä kolkkaa" is an odd sound collage, "Haulikko ja kivääri" Acid Mothers Temple styled
freak-out, and "Lähetys" like carousel music from the fifth dimension. The boys have managed to put together a very
strange and psychedelic texture, that's all I can say. Some people might find this going over their heads, but what
can you do. The band still has plenty of courage, guts and originality, and hats off for that.
www.kevytnostalgia.org
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SPACEMAN 3
Recurring
Space Age Recordings (ORBIT012CD)
Recurring was the last album that the fighting Spacemen 3 ever made. That was
also the first album by the group that I ever bought. The drug induced,
hypnotic and monotonic, beautiful and at the same time also nicely distorted
sound of the band made me dizzy. Although Recurring is not necessarily their
best album, it has aged very well. Now there's finally a re-mastered version
available, and with the bonus material it's almost 80 minutes in length. The
original, ten-track vinyl was put together so, that the first side was filled
with a bit simpler Sonic Boom stuff, and the rest of the album was taken over
by the orchestrated and more arranged material by Jason "Spaceman" Pierce. One
of the most important differences with the CD version is the addition of a cover
version of "When Tomorrow Hits" by Mudhoney in between Sonic Booms and Jason's
material. That is the heaviest track on this album. There are also four other
extra tracks on the CD. The opener "Big City (Everybody I Know Can Be Found Here)"
foresaw the birth of rave culture with its pulsating synthesizers and danceable
rhythm, and it is one of the highlights of the album. The Jason Pierce songs had
already a lot of the same elements he would refine further with Spiritualized,
and he also did take a lot of the musicians that were involved in Recurring to
his new band. It's a great thing that Space Age Recordings have made this amazing
album available again. www.spacemen3.info.
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SPECTRUM
Refractions: Through the Rhythms of Time 1989-1997
Space Age Recordings (ORBIT 040CD)
Pete Kember, alias Sonic Boom, was the co-founder of the legendary Spacemen 3
along with Jason "Spaceman" Pierce. Pete has continued his successful career,
and released a lot of records during the years as Sonic Boom, Spectrum and EAR.
This compilation includes some of the best tracks by Spectrum. Most of the material
is very soft, but extremely psychedelic. There are a couple of more rocking numbers
with nicely buzzing guitars as well, like the excellent "How You Satisfy Me".
"Feels like I'm Slipping Away" is almost frightening and "Owsley" is really
oppressive, like a bad trip. Majority of the tracks are still dreamy and monotonic
or heavenly, beautiful and uplifting. Pete really knows how to write simple but
effective songs, and his guitar, organ and synthesizer work is stunning. Substantial
drug abuse is very clearly evident all over the place; nobody makes this kind of
music sober. The tracks on the album are not in chronological order, but they are
compiled as a fine, atmospheric span. On the long run, the music of Spectrum doesn't
really differ that much from Spacemen 3, so I guess all their fans really need to
buy this CD, given the fact that most of the original Spectrum releases are now
really hard to find. Refractions is a really good compilation by one of the most
influential artist of the last decades. www.sonic-boom.info.
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BLACK FOREST/BLACK SEA
Radiant Symmetry
Last Visible Dog (LVD 065)
Radiant Symmetry was recorded live from February to April 2004 during the duo's
(from Providence, RI) lengthy European tour. Recording locations were Glasgow,
Tampere, Bologna, Newcastle upon Tyne, Bristol, Arcore and Stoke-on-Trent. Almost
all the nine tracks feature also some local guests besides the duo to bring in
some more colour to the weird, experimental and minimal folk psychedelia. All the
tracks on this album were improvised, and they haven't named them at all, and why
bother. The quality of the recordings is pretty good, and the album works great as
a whole. The mood and style of this CD doesn't differ that much from the band's
first two albums, although there are no vocals on this new one. Different performances
have been mixed into a continuous journey, which works surprisingly well. The
overall atmosphere is still very sad and gloomy. Some of the tracks are rather
deranged, but most of them are still beautiful, moody drones. Radiant Symmetry
is a good listen while waiting for the next studio album. The band is touring
Europe again in autumn, and will play their second gig Psychotropic Zone on 25.9.
with Fursaxa and Christina Carter. Don't miss out this experience! www.lvd.4mg.com.
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LSD-MARCH
Suddenly, Like Flames
Last Visible Dog (LVD 064)
This is a CD release of this Japanese underground psych band's very rare vinyl
with some bonus material. I've never heard this band before, but apparently they
are known mostly for their compilation appearances to a lot of people into Japanese
art rock. Yeah, they have taken their name from Guru Guru, and I can hear some kraut
rock influences in there. I'm also often reminded of Velvet Underground. Unfortunately
the sound is rather muddy, at least on some tracks. There are both relaxed and beautiful
stuff and wild and noisy guitar torture on the album. All the vocals are in Japanese,
but the lyrics are translated into English on the booklet, and they are pretty acidic
in nature! Musically the band isn't bad at all, but they still somehow fail to interest
me very much. AT times the stuff is still rather psychedelic. Alan Cummings has written
the liner notes and also done the translation. Jeffrey Alexander (Black Forrest/Black Sea)
is responsible for the nice cover art. www.lvd.4mg.com.
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HIDRIA SPACEFOLK
Balansia
Silence (SLC-020)
Hidria Spacefolk is absolutely one of the best bands at the moment in Finland, or in Europe,
why not in the whole universe. They have gained a nice amount of fans with their instrumental,
psychedelic space rock. Their music is a good combination of Gong, Steve Hillage, Ozric Tentacles,
Kingston Wall styled prog and electronic trance spiced with a pinch of ethnic influences, metal,
Circle and Hawkwind outer space. Skilful guys just can't come up with a bad result with these ingredients.
Their first album hasn't played regularly at the Ozric Tentacles tour buss for nothing, and
I'm sure the new one will too.
Balansia includes seven tracks and is 50 minutes long. This actually doesn't mean anything,
since space-time continuum doesn't work in a normal way while listening to Hidria Spacefolk.
The band has matured and evolved a lot since the early days, and it has been a very positive
surprise for me that they have actually gone into more organic direction, and not into the
all the more computerized way the Ozrics have chosen, for example. Balansia is a fresh and
uplifting experience that makes me feel good. The tight drumming and steady, deep bass guarantee
a good groove that forces you to dance. The guitarists weave great, mind-expanding webs more
even more skilfully than before, and synthesizers create their own melodic, high-flying and at
times very psychedelic addition. Guest musicians have been used very elegantly (vibraphone,
marimba, trumpet, cello and Andy McCoy on slide guitar on one track). The best musical comparison
might actually be Hungarian Korai Orom, especially what comes to the danceable parts. The album
also has a few chill out parts, of course, and at times the mood goes rather spooky. In fact I like
all the tracks so much, that I don't want to pick up any favourites. All in all, a very hypnotic and
spellbinding album and I really can't find anything to complain about, since the production is perfect,
as well. Therefore this album is now declared as an instant classic. www.hidriaspacefolk.st.
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SINIAALTO
Tallentumia
If Society (IF-16)
The Finland's instrumental synthesizer prides Siniaalto have released
their second album. This time it's a live album, and the longish tracks
have been recorded between September 2003 and January 2004 on five
different locations in Helsinki. The trio still continues on the cosmic
and electronic path. One of my favourites is the album opener, sequence
driven "Matka alkaa taas" (The Trip Starts Again in English). It could
well be from one of the 70's Tangerine Dream albums. Over 15 minutes
long "Ajatusten kehuu" (Spinning of Thoughts) continues the album in
a much more abstract way. I'm often reminded of Klaus Schultzes work
while listening to this band. The album works best when listening to
it relaxed in a dark place, but it does require all of your attention.
So this is really not background or party music. This is great,
suitably strange and psychedelic synthesizer music that respects
the 70's masters but is still strongly present in this moment.
Worth checking out! http://ut3.org.
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JOE TURNER
Between Two Seconds
Camera Obscura Records (CAM067CD)
Former Abunai! man Joe Turner expanded his self-released Dollar Star CD-R EP
with some tracks and the result is Between Two Seconds. The album is
a wonderful compilation of a bit 60's styled psych pop. There are some
influences for example from The Beatles and The Byrds. Modern points
of comparison might be Dipsomaniacs and bands like that. The cheerful
rock/pop track "Hills of Pensylvania" reminds me of The Beach Boys.
Joe's music is very catchy. I was hooked already after the hypnotic
instrumental intro. Joe plays all the instruments and sings by himself,
but there are also some guests for example on flute. The general tone
of the album is rather sunny and happy, but there are also a few
sadder songs. Joe clearly has an ear for melody and harmony. One of
the best tracks on the album is magical "Turn Me Upside Down" that
can also be found on The Further Adventures of the Telepathic Explorers
compilation. Towards the end of the CD the music goes into a bit more
mystical direction, and so the slow, melancholic and dreamy "When the
Day Crowd Leaves" with some acoustic guitar and the last, interesting
track "Perfect the First Time" that sounds like the Swedish Dungen
stand out. All in all a great album of melodic pop-rock spiced with
psychedelic effects. www.cameraobscura.com.au.
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DANNY BEN-ISRAEL
The Kathmandu Sessions
Merry Records (Merry001)
Danny Ben-Israel, a psychedelic pioneer from Israel, released his album
Bullshit 3¼ in 1970 in a limited edition of 400 copies. This underground
pearl was re-issued only in 2002 as a CD, 1000 copies only. Danny's music is
a strange combination of psychedelia and avant garde. Drugs have clearly
played a major role in it. The Kathmandu Sessions was recorded at the same
time period as Bullshit, apart from the last track ("The Hippies of Today
Are the Assholes of Tomorrow") and it was meant for the English speaking
audience. Sadly, it was left unreleased. Now Merry Records from Israel has
made a big service by releasing it. There are seven tracks on the CD, first
of which is just narration. The album features some pretty far-out stuff from
time to time, like being on a bad trip. The lyrics are really weird. The recording
sessions were quite messy, and Danny can't really remember that much about them.
"Kathmandu" originates from the rumours the guys heard, that you can buy hashish
from the stores and at the streets in Kathmandu, and they dreamt of flying there
from Tel Aviv. At its best the album works great, but there also some weaker
points, as one might guess. This still is an interesting part of the history of
psychedelic rock. More info and some MP3's available from
www.merryrecords.com/kathmandu.aspx.
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LITMUS
You Are Here
Space Music (Space Music 001)
Litmus is a rather new British space rock band. My first experience of the band
was their fine version of "Paradox" on the Daze of the Underground Hawkwind tribute.
The band was also playing at the Hawkfan Festival in 2002 and 2003, and they are
also on the 2002 festival compilation. This is their first album, and my expectations
were high. And the band really didn't disappoint! You Are Here is a great package of
Hawkwind-styled heavy space rock. Similar bands include Krel, Spacehead, DarXtar
and to some extent Mr. Quimpy's Beard. Litmus has plenty of keyboard, synthesizer
and audio generator arsenal: they have as many as three guys playing Hammonds,
Mellotrons, Moogs and other kinds of gizmos. This is clearly one of the strengths
of the band. In addition, they also have a guitar player, bass player and a drummer,
as usual. These three also sing. This little over one hour long CD has ten tracks,
shortest is one minute, longest the last, slow and heavy track "Stone Oscillator
(Static Ritual)" being over 20 minutes long. There are really well rocking fast
tracks and shorter, more peaceful instrumentals in good balance. The title track is
an acoustic one sort of like "Space Is Deep". There are also some influences from
Here and Now, for example, and "(Theta Wave) Inductor" sounds like it was a lost
track from the Gong's You sessions. The sound is also crystal clear, and so You Are
Here is truly an excellent and psychedelic album that can be highly recommended for
all fans of the heavy space rock. www.litmusmusic.co.uk.
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ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE AND THE MELTING PARAISO U.F.O.
Mantra of Love
Alien8 Recordings (ALIENCD44)
Yeah, yet another new album by Japan's most luminary psych star. Mantra of love is,
in my opinion, sort of continuation to La Novia. This new album has two tracks, right,
but the mood is very similar. The album starts with a traditional Occitan track "La Le Lo"
and it's as long as half an hour. The track begins in a very tranquil and acoustic mode
with Cotton Casino singing some beautiful, celestial vocals. Nowadays this cigarette
queen has moved to live with her new lover and has thus left the band, which is a shame.
After six minutes they put on a bigger gear and the psychedelic jam begins. This time
there is luckily no cacophony or mindless freak out, and the thing stays together well.
Before the middle the atmosphere cools down again into more acoustic and the singing
continues. Then it gets freakier only to cool down again at the end of the track. An
absolutely amazing piece, AMT at their best. "L'Ambition dans le Miroir" is an original by
the band and 15 minutes in length. It's a rather serene, great drone and Cotton Casino's
vocals are playing an important role here, as well. Mantra of Love is a brilliant album for
those who enjoy a bit cleaner and clearer AMT stuff, like me. Very good psychedelia.
www.acidmothers.com.
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FIRST BAND FROM OUTER SPACE
We're Only in It for the Space Rock
Self-released CD-R
First Band from Outer Space is formed of three extraterrestrial musicians who landed on
our planet in 2002, because they wanted to play space rock. Of all the places on Earth
they chose Gothenburg, Sweden, as their home base! Their first release was a 19 minute
long metal attack with nice space sounds. The second release "Aboard the Mothership of
Cosmic Sound Creation" was a giant leap forward. On this 33 minutes 33 seconds long CD-R
(again just one track!) these aliens had already adopted a bit more psychedelic touch.
The music was still heavy, but apparently these creatures had done some research on
the herbs of the Earth, since stoner rock had overthrown metal, which was a good thing.
The amount of analogue noise kept on increasing. The extraterrestrials have later on got
even better: the latest offering We're Only In It for the Space Rock is, just like the
title suggests, real space rock. This time the 47 minute album is divided into four
different tracks. "Sannraijz" is a rather catchy stoner rock song equipped with nice
vocals and suitable space effects. Towards the end the intensity gets even close to
Hawkwind standard. "Sometimes Going Too Far Is the Only Way to Go" is, in a way, a return
to heavy metal, but they also jam wildly along the way and the end is more stoner rock.
Then follows an acoustic camp-fire version of the opener and it does create some room and
peace in a nice way. The album is ended with over 20 minutes long instrumental "Cosmic Jam"
that is exactly what the title promises it to be. Truly great and psychedelic stuff! Let's
try to get this band to play at Psychotropic Zone as soon as possible. Before that you
should get at least this latest release. You can send email to johanfromspace@hotmail.com or spacemannr1@hotmail.com
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ADRIAN SHAW
String Theory
Woronzow Records (WOO 55 CD)
Great! A new solo album by Ade, that old psych veteran. It's nice to notice that
Mr. Shaw still has something to say and the music just gets better. As usual, the
man plays all the instruments and sings by himself, but he also have some guests:
his band members Nick Saloman and Paul Simmons (Bevis Frond), Bari Watts and Ric Gunther
(Outskirts of Infinity), John Perry (Only One), Adrian's son Aaron and Brendan Quinn.
Mostly on solo guitar, that is. String Theory is a natural progression to Ade's
previous solo Look Out released in 2002. I think that the geezer has now been able to
produce even better sound at his home studio.
There are 10 tracks on the CD most of which are pretty hard and sharp rock.
There is room for a few ballads in there as well, of course, and even some
more pop stuff. The tracks are maybe mostly a bit more straight forward than
last time. The highlight of the album is clearly the last, over 18 and half
minutes long "Saving Grace" which is a real trip into the inner space. The first
three minutes you just wonder what an earth happened, who spiked my drink with acid?
Then the track transforms into more normal and tells about the hardships of the
tour life. Adrian still sings that this kind of life surely isn't boring, and he
wouldn't change a thing. Then follows some excellent guitar solos one after another
and also simultaneously, it feels so good that surely it should be illegal? It's nice
to guess, who's playing and when: Nick, Bari, John or Aaron. This is again a marvellous
album that should be found from the record shelves of every freak into psychedelic rock.
www.woronzow.co.uk.
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VELVET DESPERADOS
Northern Lights EP
Cowabunga Recordings (COW-1)
I received a demo from this Finnish band last year at our club, and I must say
I wasn't that interested. Now they have added some overdubs (strings and horns,
for example) for the three tracks that were on that demo, added one song and the
whole package has been properly mixed and mastered by the Love Records guru Otto Donner.
The end result is surprisingly good compared to the demo. This EP was released this
spring by a record label in Järvenpää as their first outing. The tracks have now much
more life. The music could be described as prog, since the song structures are rather
complex even though the playing is not totally out of this world. The first track
"Tripping with Jesus" is a bit more traditional blues, the following "Reggae on the Moon"
starts as reggae, but in the middle starts a spaced-out instrumental ending that reminds
me of Pink Floyd and particularly Eloy. One of the best parts on this CD! Another influence
for the band has obviously been Wigwam. This comes clear from the piano pattern at the
beginning of the title track, at the latest. The last, relaxed "Midnight Sun" is quite
a lot in the Wigwan spirit, as well. This is a pretty OK release, even though it's not
psychedelia. What pleased me the most is the use of Hammonds, Fender Rhodes and synthesizers,
I guess. Prog fans should absolutely check this out. Dimmu, the bass player of now
defunct Wasami plays in this band now, I must admit. www.velvetdesperados.net.
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THE TELESCOPES
Altered Perception
Space Age Recordings (ORBIT 014CD)
Phew! It's great that some old material by The Telescopes from the UK is now being re-released,
since I missed the band totally in the late 80's and early 90's, although I was introduced to
their musical brothers Loop and Spacemen 3. In the early days, The Telescopes played heavily
fuzzed psychedelic and hypnotic rock. On this CD, they at times also go to some strange
dreamland aided by a bit lighter, beautiful drones á la Spiritualized. Altered Perception
includes tracks that have so far only been available on rare vinyl and also some unreleased
stuff, 15 tracks in total. This is very exquisite druggy music which is also quite addictive.
Dreamlike moods and heavy rocking are both present in good balance, which makes the whole very
listenable, so you don't fall to sleep but you're not faced with a continuous noise attack, either.
This CD is even better than Premonitions 1989-91 compilation
that was released in Brazil last year which apparently included some a bit older songs. On Altered Perception
there is some more cosmic and produced stuff, especially towards the end. I can warmly recommend this album
to everybody into space age psychedelic rock. It's also worthwhile to check out the other releases by Space Age Recordings
including Spacemen 3 and they will soon release an album by Acid Mothers Temple.
www.spaceagerecordings.com.
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GANGSTER HIPPIE
Gangster Hippie: S/T
Missile Records
Gangster Hippie is a new band of Brian Leary, who's known for his former
band Polyphemus. This time he has taken a couple of fellows with him named
Rafe (drums, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals) and Graves (bass, backing vocals).
Brian still plays all the guitars, tape effects and sings by himself. I don't
have a clue about these other guys, but they seem to be very professional.
Gangster Hippie continues successfully where Polyphemus stopped. The music
still is still pretty much in the 60's spirit, although there is somewhat
more modern touch to be found, as well. There are some heavy rockers,
psych pop songs that remind me of The Beatles, and some more relaxed
tracks with acoustic guitar. There's room for a couple of a bit longer
tracks as well, which is nice, since they also include some jamming.
This is really great psychedelic rock, that's all I can say. If you like
The Bevis Frond and Sun Dial, you'll like this too for sure. The band is
currently searching for somebody to release this album, so please record
companies contact them if you're interested. I think this CD-R version is
still available for free by just sending email to justelvie@yahoo.com.
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POLYPHEMUS
Coastline Hallucinations (re-issue)
Self-released CD-R
In Greek mythology Polyphemus is a huge Cyclops, son of Poseidon and Thoosa. Polyphemus was also
a magnificent, more or less one man band in the 90's playing 60's styled psychedelic rock. The leader
of the band was Brian Leary, and Elvira Corral was another singer. The band released a few singles
and albums in the 90's, and Stonehouse, the excellent vinyl put out by Acme might still be available
somewhere. Elvira kindly sent me a copy of a Polyphemus album Coastline Hallucinations that was
originally released already in 1992, I've been told. I hadn't heard anything about this album before,
and it wasn't even on the internet discography, so I was naturally very excited. There is over
74 minutes worth of music on this new version, and as many as 25 tracks. Since I didn't get the covers
I don't know the titles either. The music is something in between the West Coast stuff and 60's Brit psychedelia.
Many of the songs are very melodic. A lot of psychedelic tricks like backwards recording are in use often.
Some of the songs are pretty wild getting close to punk pop. As reference points I could take The Bevis Frond,
Sun Dial and Flyte Reaction. Leary is an able composer and a versatile musician. In addition,
I really like his singing. I don't know if this amazing album will be offered on sale, but
you should ask from justelvie@yahoo.com.
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BABY WOODROSE vs. SWEATMASTER
Baby Woodrose vs. Sweatmaster 7"
Bad Afro Records (FRO 039)
Baby Woodrose from Denmark and the Finnish Sweatmaster are both playing music that
will fitt into this new garage rock boom. In addition, both bands are signed to the
marvellous Bad Afro Records. While being on tour together, Sweatmaster surprised
Baby Woodrose by playing a cover of their track "Pouring Water". Baby Woodrose had
their revenge the next night by playing a track called "Hold It" by Sweatmaster.
It was of course a must to record these versions later on in a studio, and this
is the result. The single is only released on vinyl, but you can also buy the
tracks as MP3. I haven't heard the Sweatmaster original of "Hold It", but at least
Baby Woodrose's version is funny and rocks very well. A very energetic track with
a nice buzzing guitar sound. It makes me want to find out more about Sweatmaster
too... Their version of the track "Pouring Water" works well too being rather close
to the original. This single is a worthwhile purchase for everyone into modern
garage rock. www.badafro.dk.
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THE DOES
Is This What It Feels Like to Lose Your Mind From Lack of sleep? EP
Nokohama/Hand-Eye Records (NOK002/H/E014)
"Gothic sludge rock from Canada" says the flyer, and I guess that's what this is.
Over 20 minutes long CD-R EP includes five tracks, two of which are covers
(Hooker's "Serves You Right" and "Stray Cat Blues" by the Rolling Stones).
Again pretty primitive stuff to be found on this Nokohama and Hand-Eye split release,
but not really noise. There's plenty of distortion on the guitars, but the female vocals,
organs, drums and quite clear song structures make this listenable. A couple of their own
tracks rock well, the Hooker cover is a drone, and the last original track is gloomy and
slow, and even features some kind of a guitar solo. The playing is a bit floppy, but it
doesn't really matter in a stuff like this played with a punk attitude. The release
gains some extra points from the interesting cloth pack in which the record is packed,
a good idea! www3.nf.sympatico.ca/nayad/does.html.
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MOTHER GOOSE
Autumn Masochism
Verdura Records (VERDU-12)
I remember vaguely in the late 80's and early 90's, when we used to go see bands
like Isabel's Pain, Jack Meatbeat and the Underground Society, Sunday Prize and
Machine Gun Macbeth. All these bands had something special and strange going on.
The music had a lot of energy, but also elements that screwed up your head. I didn't
know then how to categorize this kind of music, and I still really don't. It's not
actual psychedelia, maybe apart from Jack Meatbeat. Nowadays Isabel's Pain and Sunday Prize
have disbanded and Jack Meatbeat transformed into Flaming Sideburns. Machine Gun Macbeth
changed their name into Mother Goose, and as far as I know, has been carrying on since.
The band has done quite okay in the UK, but that's about all I've heard from them for ten years.
I did see them opening up for Damo Suzuki at Gloria, and was intrigued. So it was very
interesting to receive a review copy of their latest album, this time released in Finland.
The mood of the early times is still there, although they swim in a bit calmer waters today.
Beneath the surface there's still some fire that occasionally bursts into flames.
Autumn Masochism is quite hypnotic album that is pretty much guitar driven. The music is
occasionally even very twisted, although there are also pop elements and gothic rock
influences to be heard. The members of the band have told that they like for example
Talking Heads, Sonic Youth, PIL, The Fall and My Bloody Valentine. So this is quite
strange alternative rock, and it needs some time to really open up. But it's worth it.
The violinist Jonathan LaMaster from Cul De Sac and Damo Suzuki Network and A. Laakkone
on piano are the guests on the album. www.mothergoose.fi.
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FIVE FIFTEEN
The Man Who Sold Himself
Ranch (RANCH-26)
It has been 10 years since Five Fifteen from Helsinki released their first CD, and they
are celebrating this with releasing their first compilation. And why not. I've been a big fan
during the years, although I must admit that during the last few years I haven't been
that interested. I think that the best albums were Armageddon Jam Session Number Four,
Psychedelic Singalongs for Stadiums and maybe most of all Six Dimensions of the Electric Camembert.
These albums include the band's most psychedelic moments... After that they have gone in a bit
more commercial direction. The music of the band has always been an interesting package of
copying from a lot of the great 60's and 70's classic and hard rock legends. They've got in
their music some Beatles, Who, Led Zeppelin, Nazareth, Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep,
Alman Brothers, David Bowie etc... The best thing about Five Fifteen is, that they can make all
things sound like their own. The Man Who Sold Himself continues Mika Järvinen's, the absolute
boss of the band, ideology that a musician is actually like a prostitute selling himself
shamelessly. That's where the name of the album comes from and the cover, naturally stolen
from David Bowie. The album includes some of the best pieces from albums, single versions,
new versions and also a couple of unreleased tracks. Nik Turner ("Silver Machine") and
Brian Robertson (on new versions of tracks "Jesus Went to N.Y.C." and "Rocking Horse")
are guests. I must say that the track order runs very smoothly. Personally, I would have
compiles quite a different compilation, since this one is focused on a more commercial and
direct material. I wonder when they will release a psychedelic freak out compilation?!
The Man Who Sold Himself is, in any way, a great introduction to the band's more straight
forward material, and as such is a good way to get to know a fine band. Liner notes are by
Scott Heller, and Crazy Mika himself tells the stories behind all the songs.
www.novision.fi/fivefifteen.
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BRANDED WOMEN
Velvet Hours-Stolen Moments
Ranch (RANCH-24)
Branded Women from Helsinki have finally released their debut album.
I've been following their career from the beginning, and so it was very
interesting to here how their first full-length turns out. The biggest
strength of the band has always been creating atmospheres. They only
really started to learn to play their instruments after the band was formed.
The original drummer has been replaced, and now the otherwise all girl band
also has one male member. Their playing skills have developed a lot, although
they still are not virtuosos. "Still in Me", the opener of the album features
tremolo guitar and electric piano and is one of the best making my spine shiver.
The sad but hopeful "Something to Hold on" was already on the band's first
promo CD-R, and is one of their best tracks. It's also on the new single along
with another album highlight, psychedelic, hypnotic "Runner" that goes quite
wild in the end and is featured on a new film by Aleksi Mäkelä called Vares.
Branded Women do play very cinematique music, I am reminded for example by
Twin Peaks and also other stuff by David Lynch. Another old track is the last
track "Feel" that has been slowed down still. I really like the chorus. "More" is
abit groovier number, Larry and the Lafthanded on valium comes to mind. One of my
favourites is also a bit rougher, almost 60's psychedelic garage rock track
"Worth Living". Velvet Hours-Stolen Moments is mostly a very relaxing, slow
and quiet album. I would have liked to have also some more active attitude.
The band do sound very original, there's a lot of atmospheric exotica and garage,
at times even psychedelic elements. Many of the songs are good, but some more
energy from time to time would have been nice. All in all a very successful album
and the girls and the boy can be very proud of it! www.brandedwomen.com.
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GARLIC YARG
Somewhere Over Here the Rainbow Blue Wolves
Nokahoma Records (nok003)
This is a bit over 36 minutes long primitive CD-R release by a quartet
featuring D. Smolken (Dead Raven Choir). The music of Garlic Yarg is free
form improvisational noise. There are five abstract, a bit more acoustic
tracks and six short, very much distorted eruptions on the album. These
aforementioned, more peaceful tracks are rather listenable, but those
attacks that go into extreme are quite heavy to listen to. Luckily they
are short... This is not my kind of music but check it out if you're
interested in weird noise. The CD-R's cost 6 dollars each. Nokahoma is
also soon releasing a various artists CD-R called The Pincher, featuring
Acid Mother Temple and Kinski among others. On this album 60 bands will
perform a one minute track... www.jesuisfrance.com/nokahoma.
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MANNHAI
The Exploder
Ranch (RANCH-14)
Mannhai from Helsinki released their third album in April. The Exploder is a bit
more melodic stuff than before. They also have a new member playing keyboards.
Kasper is Oppu's old band mate from the early Amorphis days. The keyboards do
give the band some more dimensions, but they have been used with too much caution.
What's the point of playing a nice organ solo, if it's mixed far too low? Well, at
least Kasper's old Mini Moog is allowed to make enough gurgles and noise on a track
called "Two Roads" that is one of the best on the album in my opinion and also the
most stoner rock one. All the ingredients of the previous album are still here
to be found. There's 70's heavy and hard rock, Black Sabbath and Kiss (especially
on the single track "Rock to the Top"), modern action rock stuff a bit in the
Hellacopters style (for example on "Mr. Out of Sight"), and also some more
traditional blues/boogie touch ("TNT Mountain"). "Error '87" sounds a lot
like Soundgarden, although it also features a female singer. The last, a bit
mystic track "Black Water Swan" is almost doom. The album was produced by
Jürgen Hendlmeier, who has worked with The Flaming Sideburns, as well. He has
succeeded well in his mission, even though the keyboards play too little part
in the end result. Let's hope that they will use real Hammonds and Fender Rhodes
to create the atmosphere on the next album. A pretty OK CD that rocks, and even
has some psychedelic elements.
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STALWART
Torment Nonplus
BV2-Productions (BV-8)
Stalwart is formed of Jyrki Laiho (Kuusumun Profeetta, ex.Circle): guitar, vocals, organ,
percussions, Veli Nuorsaari (Kuusumun Profeetta): drums, bass, organ and Janne Peltomäki
(ex-Circle): bass, organ, drums. This very same trio made and CD-R EP under the name
Paine with J. Ahtiainen (Dioxidetunnel with a Red-light and Endless Feeling CD-EP). This, almost 23 minutes long mini
CD features five tracks of alternative Pori rock at its best. The opener of the CD
"Drunken Sincerety of Hesekiel" is a mid-tempo instrumental very reminiscent of the
first two Circle albums. The excellent "Kindergarten Trad" is Neu! styled kraut rock
where they have played some acoustic guitars etc. on top of a monotonic riff. The tracks
also features some vocals. The short "Central Sandras on Black Paint Porch" has a very
strange rhythm and again some singing. "Layered Ironies" is the longest track on the disc.
This very good sounding instrumental brings mind Circle around their Hissi period.
"Variance Valediction - Monologue" is the most rocking track on the disc, and a nice
ending to this very interesting EP. If you like the Pori scene, this is a must have.
I hope the band will also release a full-length soon enough! www.badvugum.com.
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PHARAOH OVERLORD
The Battle of the Axehammer (live)
Last Visible Dog (LVD-058)
Pharaoh Overlord is some kind of a gloomy and dirty stoner rock alter ego of
Finnish band Circle. Prior to this, they have released two incredible studio albums.
The band played at our Psychotropic Zone club on 28.9.2001 when we still operated at
the cellar of the smaller Stella Star at Helsinginkatu. This gig was recorded for the
archives only, but Jussi Lehtisalo decided that it could be released. Well, why not.
This Pharaoh Overlord gig was one unbelievable and merciless monster riff feast from
the beginning until the end. Really rough stuff. Too bad that the recording ended up
being too loud. I was a bit dubious of what they could make out of this buzzing one
hour package. Well, some of the hi-fi enthusiasts might not be pleased with the
end result, but I think they were able to make a very suitable live album for this
grotesque band with little adjustment and a few psychedelic overdubs. The hypnotic,
heavy and monotonic guitars keep on playing the endless seeming stuff creating
really mind-expanding universes. There are five long tracks on the CD, some of
which have also been released on their studio albums: "Mountain", "Skyline",
"Mystery Shopper", "Mangrove" and "Black Horse". This is truly brain-frying album
for all the friends of Pharaoh Overlord and Circle. www.lvd.4mg.com.
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DUNGEN
Ta det lugnt
Subliminal Sounds (subcd10)
Dungen, led by the young Gustav Ejstes, has returned to Subliminal Sounds
after the previous album released by a Virgin sub-label. This possible
financial drawback doesn't really bother me, since I doubt if Virgin would
have released this kind of a record these days. Ta det lugnt is a lot heavier,
rawer and more psychedelic than its predecessor. The production of the
Subliminal Sounds psych guru Stefan Kéry isn't too clean, but sounds very real,
honest and spaced out. All the ingredients of the previous album are still there,
in theory. The music is now more overtly psychedelic rock, influenced by prog,
Beatles pop, folk and at times also jazz. There is also a lot more jamming on
this album, which brings in new dimensions for the band. Gustav has again written
some great tunes, and the playing is excellent. Especially the heavy fuzz guitars
deserve a mention. There are of course some keyboards, violin, flute and sax to
give the album some more colours. This is clearly wilder stuff than before,
although there are a few more peaceful tracks included. The new album isn't
just as positive and happy in general mood than the previous one. The album
has gotten some radio play in Finland, which is nice thing. In my opinion
this is the best Dungen album, and I can warmly recommend this to everybody
into early 70's styled progressive, melodic psychedelia.
www.dungen.info.
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ITÄVÄYLÄ
S/T
Rikos Records (RIKOS012)
For those who didn't know: Itäväylä is the name of the road that leads from
Sörnäinen to the notorious Eastern Helsinki. It's also a name of trio
playing original and psychedelic combination of boogie and electronic music.
Itäväylä is formed of R. Barracuda: rhythm machines, synthesizers and cembalo,
J. Vironen: slide guitar, rhythm guitar and A. Saarinen: rhythm guitar, lead guitar.
There are also a couple of guest musicians involved. I'm not sure if this,
apparently their first release, should be called 12" or vinyl album, since
there are only four tracks on it. It is almost 40 minutes long, though, and
spins at 33 1/3 rounds per minute. Well, this is not important, so let's get
to the point. The first track "Black Diamond Express" sounds very much like
traditional rhythm 'n' blues, mostly because of the dark, Deep South minister
sounding vocals. The next track "Tesco" is more conventional electro; I'm
somewhat reminded of Opel Bastards, although this rocks more. Vilunki 3000
is found on the thanks list, no wonder. There are plenty of analogue synths,
and the hypnotic guitars are also well presented. Great stuff! The B-side
is started with a bit shorter "Future Boogie" which begins with a Hawkwind-styled
wind sound that carries on the whole track. This is like a psychedelic version
of ZZ Top! A nice one, as well. The album is ended with long "Jeesus Kristus"
beginning in a laid-back manner with psychedelic bubbling synths which are
joined by slow, heavy boogie. The track includes some stylish slide guitar
and marvellous synthesizer sounds. The rhythm fades out in the middle leaving
only the bubbling synth patterns left again. Finally the rhythm comes back and
we get to hear an amazing guitar solo! Wow. Totally excellent album, now we
are really looking forward to get the band to play at Psychotropic Zone.
The album is available for example from Hippie Shake Records. (www.hippieshakerecords.com).
www.rikosrecords.com.
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MCMS
1997 - 2000
Last Visible Dog (LVD 005/20/61)
Well... A massive three CD compilation by an American lo-fi noise group
I've never heard about before. I must admit, that I was a bit worried when
I started to make this review. MCMS was a band formed by the Last Visible Dog
label's Chris Moon, Matt Silcock and a couple of other guys from time to time.
They used to improvise together about once a year, record the sessions into
a four-track and release the result about just like it happened. As instruments
they used heavily effected guitar, primitive percussions like paint-cans and
some electronic gizmos. Occasionally there are also some wild wind instruments.
On the later recordings there are also some acoustic guitar, keyboards and
human voice to give the music a bit more folky edge. All the music of MCMS
is very lo-fi in nature. There are a couple of albums here that were originally
released on a very limited CD-R's, fragments from a couple of other releases,
38 minutes long drone "The Womb That Gives Birth to Itself" from one split release,
some stuff from their double vinyl released by Eclipsed in a limited edition of
50 and a couple of unreleased tracks. The earliest work in particular is very
chaotic noise, and I find it a bit boring in large quantities. This is still is
rather psychedelic stuff. The later material begins to be somewhat clearer and
more peaceful, and I really prefer that. There are even some melodies on some
tracks! I still think that the band used more creativity to name their songs.
The first, rough track on this deluxe set is called "Lemmy Kilmeister Getting
Kicked out of Hawkwind"! Other nice tittles include for example "Bruce Has Gone
to the Great Bong in the Sky" and "It's Raining Rye-Leaves and Cookies". The booklet
includes a very detailed and good story about the history of the band. I find it
hard to believe in the claim that all the material was recorded sober, except once
they went into a bar before! This package is obviously meant for those who are
into weird, experimental music. www.lvd.4mg.com.
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GONG
Acid Motherhood
Voiceprint (vp311CD)
One morning Daevid Allen had a powerful premonitory vision while meditating:
he should combine Gong and Acid Mothers Temple, the West and the East, the
old and the young. Before this he had already been gigging with Kawabato and
Cotton as Guru & Zero. Acid Motherhood features a whole new Gong line-up, apart
from Allen, of course. Also Gilly Smith guests on one track. After the 2001 tour
Daevid wanted to make some changes to the band that had became too safe and a bit
boring. And this renewal is very refreshing, I must say. This still sounds like Gong,
but now that the band has been strengthened with the Japanese freak department and
other new musicians, it has certainly gained some new stamina. The album is revolutionary
in many ways compared to the other Gong albums. There is bass only on less than half
of the tracks. There is no saxophone. There are three lead guitarists on the album.
There is some humour, deep wisdom, taking on an attitude and great music on the album.
The most outstanding tracks feature "Supercotton" with very funny lyrics, "Bazuki Logix",
a beautiful instrumental by Kawabato Makoto, a melancholic ballad called "Waving" and
13 and half minutes long, almost cacophonic and frightening blast "Makototen". The band
has regained the certain anarchistic touch, but without lowering the quality of songs
and the skilful playing. I don't know if the musicians on Acid Motherhood are going to
continue the collaboration in the future, since Cotton is now going solo and having her
own tour, AMT will continue on its own path etc., but I'm really glad they were able to
made and release this album, at least. What ever the case, there is some kind of a Gong
tour happening in the Autumn, and hopefully we will get them to play in Finland, as well.
Especially all the Gong and AMT fans should really buy this new, excellent CD. There have
also been some rumours about a vinyl version. www.planetgong.co.uk.
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REVEREND BIZARRE
Slice of Doom
PsycheDOOMelic Records (PSY 012)
Reverend Bizarre was formed in Lohja, Finland, and their 1999 demo
Slice of Doom got a lot of attention when it was released, and the
both released versions are very collectable among the doom metal
fanatics. Now PsycheDOOMelic Records have made a huge favour to all
the sons and daughters of doom by releasing all the tracks on both
versions on one CD along with plenty of bonus material. Fans of old
school doom will find this album very pleasing. The actual demo songs
still sound like a demo, of course, but the sound is pretty okay and
you can hear individual instruments very clearly. There's a surprisingly
fast version of a very fine track "Strange Horizons" that was later
re-recorded for Harbinger of Metal. The most classical of the demo
tracks might still be "Fucking Wizard" that duplicates Black Sabbath's
"Black Sabbath". From the bonus material I must mention the great
Saint Vitus like "Doomsower" and a cover version of the aforementioned
bands track "Dark World". Heavy shit! The album is ended with the most
hit song sounding "Doom over the World", being a bit in the NWOBHM vein.
They have also heard their share of Angel Witch... What else can I say but
that I love this band! This is a very recommendable compilation while
waiting for some new material from the Best True Doom Metal band in
Finland. Hail! http://reverend.shows.it/.
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KINSKY
Don't Climb On and Take the Holy Water
Strange Attractors Audio House (SAAH022)
Kinski is one of the best modern kraut/space/psych bands that I know. This
band from Seattle released their album Airs Above Your Station last year,
and this really blew my mind. The split album with Acid Mothers Temple was
a promising follow-up. The three guitar players of the band have occasionally
gigged under the name Herzog simply playing improvisational, a bit more relaxed,
experimental and cosmic music. This album is a collection of these impro sessions,
and was recorded in the studio, at rehearsal space and live on stage. There are
five tracks on the CD, most massive being the even 29 minute long "The Misprint
at the Gutenberg Print Shop". It's cosmic and beautiful noodling, but there is
also some more noisy stuff closer to the end. The other tittles are quite wacky
as well, for example "There's Nothing Sexy about Time" and "Bulky Knit Cheerleader Sweater".
This is a nice, atmospheric and interesting album, although I'm more into Kinsky's
actual rocking and strong stuff. www.strange-attractors.com.
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MISTY SHADE OF GREEN
Out from the Storm
Demo
Misty Shade of Green is a Helsinki based trio formed in 1999 playing pretty
traditional classic rock in a Jimi Hendrix vein. Other influences include at
least Led Zeppelin, King Crimson, The Beatles and Pink Floyd. From the Finnish
bands I'm strongly reminded of Kingston Wall, and on a track called
"Mother Earth Is Crying" also Five Fifteen. I haven't been able to see the
guys live, but I guess I must do this, since this is rather energetic stuff.
The guys want to share the good vibes to the listeners, which is nice. This,
apparently their only demo, has four songs of equal quality on it. The drums
are way too loud in the mix, but otherwise the sound is fine. The playing is good,
but I don't particularly like the singer's vocal sound, it sounds a bit slimy
at times. There are some nice psychedelic elements in the music as well, mostly
done with echoes and delays and other effects. This demo was recorded as early
as 2001, so it would be interesting to hear what the band sounds like today. You
can contact the band at cosmicstoner@hotmail.com.
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SPACE MIRRORS
The Darker Side of Art
Dead Earnest (DERNCD 77)
Infernal Apocalyptic Space Rock. This is a very suitable description
for the Space Mirrors project by the Russian Alisa Coral herself. Also
involved is Michael Blackman from Australia (Alien Dream) on guitar,
and guests are Arjen Anthony Lucassen from Netherlands (guitars, narration,
known from Ayreon and Star One, for example) and Steve Youles from the USA
(acoustic guitar and guitar solos on one track). Alisa handles the keyboards,
synths, vocals and drums by herself. She has listened to and played different
kinds of music during the years: metal, space rock, ambient and noise, and
you can hear that. Previously she has released a few albums with a couple
of her other projects, but this is the first release by Space Mirrors. The
music of this project is very much in the Hawkwind vein, but the guitars
are usually even heavier. A large part of the album is actually metal.
The synthetic space sounds going all over the place are very typical for
the album and make it a very psychedelic experience. There are many even
frightening elements on the album. You can sense the ancient demons from
some other dimension planning to take over our world. A bit of cacophony
and restlessness is in the air, and this makes me somewhat nervous. There
are, thank God, also some more peaceful and relaxed parts with synths and
acoustic guitars. The music is mostly instrumental, but there are also some
vocals or narration on most of the songs. The track "Dark Jedi" is, you
guessed it, about the Star Wars movies, and other tracks include
"At the Crossroads of Worlds", "A Trip Through Innerspace" and "Pale Ghosts".
The weakest link on the album are the programmed drums who just don't give
the necessary kick. There's nothing else to complain about, and every fan of
heavy space rock should get this great, atmospheric CD. Special thanks for
Jim Lascko (www.strange-trips.com) for the great cover art! More info
available from www.spacemirrors.com.
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JET JAQUAR
Billion Year Spree
Aktivator Records (Aktivator 7)
Jet Jaguar from the States have released their second full-length.
The style has remained the same, which means that the band still
play an excellent combination of Neu!, Chrome and Hawkwind. You
just can't fix a bad cocktail out of these incredients, especially
when you've also got some sense for style and skill, as well.
Billion Year Spree is dedicated to the memory of Robert Calvert,
and they have again recorded a cover version of Bob's song, this
time a punky track "The Aerospace Age Inferno". Marvellous interpretation!
There are 15 tracks together on the CD, varying from the most common
really rocking fast songs to peaceful instrumentals("Altostratus",
"Marooned", "The Outskirts") and to a couple of tracks with only
some spacey narration and sound effects ("Wastelands of Canaveral",
"Interstellar Traffic Control"). What really stands out with this
band are the heavy, massively effected Chrome guitars full of
phaser and flanger, and the Hawkwind-like keyboard stuff and noises.
Also the vocals are full of effects. I can really sense some
development since the debut (Free Space),
although the sound still is a bit like home-made. There still
isn't much guitar solos, but there is some lead work, anyway.
The synths get to go wild a bit more. This is truly wonderful,
cosmic and punky sci-fi rock and you just can't help liking it
a lot. The Jet Jaguar leader Charles Van de Kree is right now
in the process of compiling a Chrome tribute album and it will
kick ass big time... www.sks.com/jetjaguar
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GNOMUS
II
Fiasko Records (FRCD-17)
Gnomus is a Finnish trio formed by professional jazz musicians. This is their second album,
and it includes three long improvisations that were recorded live on their Finnish
tour in 2003. The names of the tracks are "Sirens", "Hypnos" and "Trauma". The players
of the band are Mika Kallio: drums, Kari Ikonen: keyboards and Esa Onttonen: guitar.
There are also some weird vocal/spoken parts for example through vocoder. Their music is
something in between of free jazz, ambient, prog, avant garde and psychedelia, mostly rather
ethereal and peaceful. There still is quite a spooky and oppressing atmosphere on the album.
The musicians are really efficient, and create original moods out of nothing in a very
fine fashion. I'm particularly pleased with the analogue synthesizers. The guitar player
plays rather odd and oriental style scales. Fiasko is their own company, and they also
play with other acts, and Ikonen and Onttonen are rather widely known composers. If you
like improvised, skilful and atmospheric avant garde you should buy this album, but if
3-minute pop treasures are more like your thing, forget it. www.fiaskorecords.com/gnomus/
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PETER BELLI & BABY WOODROSE
Nok Af Dig 7"
Bad Afro Records (FRO 036)
I was very disappointed, when the Baby Wooodrose gig at Tavastia Club was
cancelled due to the sickness of the guitar player. A little consolation is
this cover single with the Danish beat legend Peter Belli that is released
only on vinyl (500 copies). This 7" can also be downloaded from www.payload.dba.dk,
and it has been very popular there and has been played a lot on the Danish radio.
You can also buy the sold-out Live at Gutter Island album from Payload. This new
single is sung in Danish and only aimed to the Danish market, but I don't see any
reason why the foreign fans wouldn't like to get it, as well. This is probably
not just as wild and psychedelic as Baby Woodrose's own material, but it's
still nice, groovy 60's beat/garage rock. "Nog Af Dig" is a Danish translation
by Lorenzo Woodrose of a lively The Monkees hit "(I'm Not Your) Stepping Stone"
written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. On the flipside there's a track called
"Det Du Ka' Li'", a translated version of an old Donovan song. Belli released
his own version originally as a B-side in 1965. Nok Af Dig is a nice little
disc full of history but it's also pumped up with fresh life. You can order
this single directly from the record company www.badafro.dk.
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PSYCHEDELIC AVENGERS
And the Curse of the Universe
Fündfundvierzig (148)
Psychedelic Avengers is and interstellar community project, and its earthly head quarters
main organizer is Timo Lommatzsch, a singer of Mandra Gora Lightshow Society from Germany.
Members of many other underground psych rock bands have also been recruited for the project.
There are musicians from On Trial, Liquid Sound Company, Colour Haze and Vibravoid involved,
among others. This list already got me drooling. There are also some makers of more
electronic music and some solo artists like Sula Bassana and Mathmosphere. The idea of
this album was to create soundtrack to an imaginary space/trash/sex/mutant etc. sci.fi
movie. The partakers recorded their parts to the whole each on their own galaxy, and the
whole lot was constructed, mixed and mastered in Germany. There are several different
artists on many songs, as well. In the field of space rock, this same idea has been
utilised successfully with the Spirits Burning project featuring also some bigger names.
The individual tracks on this CD differ from each other rather radically, given the fact
that there is everything from stoner rock to ambient and from traditional psychedelic rock
to dance beats, but the end result works surprisingly well. The unifying key factor is that
everything is psychedelic. The album is very well constructed, and various parts have been
woven together with weird sound effects. This over 76 minutes long CD has been divided into
three different parts that can be listened to separately, but if it's heard from beginning
to the end with complete concentration and dedication, it takes the listener to a very
interesting trip. I recommend this to all the space heads who want to experience a film
with only music. The album will be released on June the 7th, and there are already plans
for a sequel. More info can be found from
www.psychedelicavengers.de.vu.
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OCTOPUS SYNG
Beyond the Karmadelic Coldness, There's the Lovedelic Warmth
Soundhawk Records (HORUS-011)
"Love and good vibes for everyone" sings Jaire on a track called "It's so Nice to Feel
High in the Summertime" from his first full-length, and this verse describes well his
whole ideology. One-man hippie band Octopus Syng wants to spread the sacred message of peace,
love and mind-expansion to the universe. This fairy prince, who has materialized from Kouvola
to Helsinki plays all the instruments from guitars to sitar and from drums to organ by himself
also on this release. There are some female vocals on a couple of tracks, as well ("Spring",
"Varanasi"). For the rare live performances Jaire forms a band around him called Karmabrothers.
The music still sounds VERY much like 60's psychedelia, a nice combination of early Syd Barret
era Pink Floyd and West Coast vibes. The overall feel is very positive, but there is also some
more mystic material to be found. There are many very fine compositions on the album, but let's
just go through a few of my favourites. The fabulous, sunny first track "We Could Be Everywhere"
is a sitar instrumental and I can see the colours already. "Life of Nature" is an exquisite,
mystical song sounding a lot like old Pink Floyd. The longest track on the album (6:40) is
"Soft Velvet Dreams", and it starts with some train noise, and is a bit harder, although is
also features a dreamy, psychedelic middle part. A very good song! "Frail Elephant" is also
a faster, and a potential hit with heavy bass sound. In addition, the last track
"Varanasi Rock And Roll All Night Long" is for sure one of my favourites. Its hypnotic,
mantra-like riff and excellent sitar work get the listener into nirvana! Absolutely marvellous.
So it seems, that the rockier tracks on the album stand out for me, but there is also some slower,
softer and more minimal stuff in good balance. All in all this is totally amazing album and
everyone into 60's psychedelic rock should get it. It's available directly from the record
company www.soundhawkrecords.com, of for example
from www.hippieshakerecords.com or
www.freakemporium.com. More info on
Octopus Syng can be found at www.octopus-syng.tk.
Don't miss the record release party at Psychotropic Zone on 28.5.04! Also on the bill
are The Hypnomen and Jaire's other band Dildo Mania.
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LIQUID VISIONS
From the Cube
Fündfundvierzig (143)
Our favourite psych heads from Berlin have released their fourth album already.
Their first vinyl has become a collector's item by now, not least because of its
fancy gimmick cover. I've been a fan of the band since I heard one of their demos
is 1997, and I still am. The music of the band is still very much in the spirit
of the 60's psychedelia and acid rock, but they have also some prog and hard rock
influences, for example. There are also some stoner rock elements on the last two
albums. The music is still mainly melodic, and guitars and vocals are in the main
role. They have a female organ player, who plays Theremin, as well. The excellent
From the Cube was released on CD and also on vinyl, which is always nice! "What It Is"
starts the album creating a strange atmosphere. Then follows my favourite track on
the album: "Out of This Room" that has some hit potential. It's a rather fast,
melodic song with a good chorus and also a slower, heavy middle part. It also
features some fine guitar solos. "To Be Real" brings to mind Black Sun Ensemble,
although it's not just that esoteric stuff. It's a nice, bit different track.
"Pink Cloud" is the album's magnus opus, being over 14 minutes long. It's mainly
a melancholic ballad sounding a bit like Kingston Wall. Electric sitar brings in
some interesting moods. In the middle the track speeds up into a wild ecstasy,
followed by a beautiful, laid-back part that sounds very much like "Echoes" by
Pink Floyd. This transforms again into fast rocking with some furious soloing
towards the end. "Moonspell" is a fine track as well, rather original and progressive
stuff. Then, "Ebola Monster" is on the heavier side of things, gloomy and slow, also
featuring some faster blasts and a short jazz section. There is also an untitled
seventh track on the CD and it's a nice 60's styled instrumental jam and also pretty
progressive. This is a marvellous album and absolutely worth getting! The band has
played with for example Dead Moon, Bevis Frond, Gong, Porcupine Tree, Man and the
Ozrics, and fans of these bands will for sure find something of interest also with
the Liquid Visions. www.liquidvisions.de.
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HOTGUITARS
Confessions
BV2 Productions (BV-7)
Hotguitars is a guitar noise duo formed by Jyrki Laiho and T-mu Korpipää, both
known for their Circle connections. Jyrki also plays in for example Kuusumun profeetta,
Verde and Stalwart. Confessions is the second release by the duo. The first, Duets,
Duels and DIY's CD-R released earlier this year by Kevyt nostalgia is already sold out.
There are four tracks of instrumental guitar tumult, and together they are a bit over
18 minutes long. The CD is started with a fast "Budabest Bukkake" that has lend its
beat from Suicide. It is also the longest tracks on the CD (8:21). Rather paralyzing
guitar racket, and it gives way very directly for a track called "Laxative Liquid Oxygen".
This one has a bit more complex rhythm. Lo-fi aesthetics really bloom on "Linedancing 75
Leonard Ave" that is even funny. This might be called Weird Finlandia? Odd track that is
not as noisy as the rest, but a little more acoustic. The mini album is finished with
a dark "In the Veins of the Wicked Judases, Jesuses and the Confidential Mileage" without
rhythm and with ultra distortion. This is weird improvised music, but for some reason
I like it. At least in small doses this works. www.perinnearkku.net/hotguitars/.
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SGT.SUNSHINE
S/T
Abstract Sounds (ABTS5008CD)
Sgt. Sunshine is a stoner rock trio from Southern Sweden. The
guitarist/singer Eduardo Fernandez-Rodrigues is originally from
Cuba, Pär Hallgren plays the bass and Christian Lundberg is the
name of their drummer. The band was founded already in 1999, and
this is their first CD and was released in 2003. The album has
gained excellent reviews, and I can clearly see why. This is
one of the best stoner albums I've heard for a long time! The
music of the band is psychedelic in a nice way, jamming but
still heavy. Eduardo's production works very well, and the
guys are all excellent players. Especially the guitar solos
are candy for the ears. Eduardo builds his own effect pedals,
and he does have quite an original sound. A bit more varied
stoner rock band than usual, I must say. A nice bonus is also
a track called in Spanish. Black Sabbath, Kyuss and Monster Magnet
must have been influences, but there are also hints of blues and
classic rock. I'm often reminded of Colour Haze from Germany.
What's most essential and pleasing for me is the certain psychedelic
factor that a lot of the Kyuss clones have forgotten. I find a lot
of the bands of the genre quite boring after the second track, but
not Sgt. Sunshine. The band grooves in a marvellous way, and you
can listen to the album many times without boredom. I'm sure it
will go down well also on a lot of space rock fans, since it has
many spaced out moments. I can warmly and with sunshine recommend
it to everyone into 70's styled psychedelic hard rock. I hope we
can get this lot to play at the Psychedelic Zone soon!
hem.passagen.se/sgtsunshine/Frameset1.htm.
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BIT`S
Home-Run
Fünfundvierzig (131)
I must admit, that I haven't heard about this band before, but
they have released one 12" in the early 80's. This whole CD is
from the same period, although at first I thought it was a modern
recording. So the band has obviously been ahead of its time! There's
some tiny bit of info on the net, but only in German, and unfortunately
I can't read that. The music is clearly kraut rock in the spirit of Can,
Neu! and even a bit Faust. There's also some jazz mood, and for example
reggae influences. The mechanic drumming creates some electro feel,
as well. Michael Karoli from Can, who passed away in 2001, plays guitar
on one track, and he has also produced four of the tracks that were
released on that maxi. Uwe Jahnke, the guitarist, has played in
Damo Suzuki Network, a loose group which has of course also featured
Mani Neimeier (Guru Guru) and Karoli, as well. There are some teutonic,
pounding rhythms, repetition, tape manipulation and kling klang for
every one on this album. The music is mostly instrumental, but there
are also some vocals, as well. Guitars are in the main role, but
there's also some electric piano, organ and even synths. A very
good album that can be recommended to every kraut rock fan.
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SHARRON KRAUS
Songs of Love and Loss
Camera Obscura Records (CAM065CD)
I haven't heard the first album by Sharron Kraus released
by Camera Obscura in 2002, but at least her latest includes
traditional and acoustic folk. Sharron is a very talented
musician and singer/songwriter, and she has a clear and
fair voice well suitable for her music. She plays acoustic
guitar, banjo, clarinet, whistles, piano, hurdy gurdy,
omnichord and percussion on the album. She also collaborated
on the excellent Yuletide farewell CD by Iditarod.
Jeffrey Alexander from the aforementioned band is one of
the guests on Songs of Love and Loss, and he has also
successfully mixed the album with Sharron. Sharron is
backed on the album by his Oxford band Jane Griffiths:
fiddle and viola, Jon Fletcher: harmonica, guitar, banjo
and vocals, Colin Fletcher: bass and BBC award winning
fiddler Jon Boden and Grammy nominee Giles Lewin on violin.
So the instrumentation is very traditional, and so is the music.
There are actually only a couple of folk rock songs to be
found from the album, most of it could almost have been recorded
a few centuries ago. There is still some 60's feel to it, as well.
The album offers mostly rather dark and sad atmospheres and
stories in a very honest and touching way. This is not very
psychedelic, in my opinion, but I still like the album.
I think the best tracks are a bit more mystic and darker
"Tree of Knowledge", somewhat mind-expanding "Still" and
the rockiest track "The Fastest Train".
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MANI NEUMEIER
Birthday!
Fünfundvierzig (127)
Mani Neumeier had already gathered experience in the 60's experimental free jazz
circles before choosing the psychedelic path in 1968. The name of the Guru Guru
Groove Band was shortened to Guru Guru in 1970, and the rest is history. Mani is
known for example for his innovative drumming and combining of different kinds of
drums and percussions. Birthday! was recorded in a concert in May 2001 celebrating
his 60th birthday. Several bands of which Neumeier is a member played at the
happening: Guru Guru, techno act Lover 303 and more experimental ambient duo
Tiere Der Nacht, and in addition Mani banged some drums by himself, of course
("Kan Reki Drum"). There are two Hendrix styled acid rock pieces ("Rastafari
in Bayuwari" and "Der Euro Kommt") and one short silly track "Mexicana" by Guru
Guru on this CD. Lover 303 is included with three tracks, and the same goes for
Tiere Der Nacht. The album ends with "Blues for Mani" played and sung by Hans Reffert,
a friend of Mani's, by himself. On this track he remembers the golden days of the
past filled with drugs, booze, sex and rock'n'roll. This album undeniably proves
that our hero is still fit, and really can play. In my opinion, the Guru Guru tracks
are the best, but the rest are not bad either. Improvisation still seems to be the
name of the game, although backing tapes are in use. An absolute must for Mani fans.
www.guru-guru.com.
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HOLGER CZUKAY/U-SHE
The New Millennium
Fünfundvierzig (132)
Holger Czukay, as you all know, is one of the founding members and bassist
of a legendary kraut rock group Can. Nowadays he's making more like machine
music. He has been releasing new music in a steady stream throughout the years.
The vocals on this album are mainly sung by a woman called U-She. Holger sings
on a couple of numbers and takes care of all the instruments, practically
meaning machines and guitar, I guess. The New Millenium includes fresh,
pretty good trance/techno music that is luckily also rather strange and
psychedelic. There are two remixes on the album ("La Secondaire" ja "Echogirl")
and they are rather good. The best stuff on the album is the title track, though,
and its style somewhat differs from the rest of the album. It's a fine composition
with nice pulsating sequencers a bit in the Kraftwerk style, and it doesn't sound
so modern electro. The fast "Rosebud" with its ethnic influences is another
highlight on the disc. There is also some more ambient, slower stuff, and also
some pop, trip hop and even jungle influences. This is not exactly my favourite
kind of music, but if you're into modern danceable electronic music, this might
be worth checking out. www.czukay.com.
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ACID MOTHER TEMPLE & THE MELTING PRAISO U.F.O
A Thousand Shades of Grey
Fünfundvierzig (142)
Oh yeah, yet another AMT release, this time with Escapade from the USA. There are three
extremely long tracks of really brain-frying improvisational psychedelia on this CD.
New Yorkers Escapade start the album with their peacefully evolving track "Because Because Because".
The drums join the organ drone after about five minutes, and the track really gets going.
The monotonic and hypnotic throbbing might get your head really messed up, so be careful
out there! Next AMT, Japan's gift for all the freaks on the world, offer their contribution
in for of an almost half an hour long track "European Sun". The number begins with the
familiar space sounds, which are soon joined by violin, electric sitar and this and that
other nice instrument. There are no drums, guitar or bass on this one, so it differs a bit
from the "normal" AMT tracks. This track can do some serious damage to your brain cells
as well, since it's pretty warped and flaky stuff. It cannot be recommended for those with
weak mental health... This is a very psychedelic and hypnotic journey into some really
strange place, and it feels like it has no ending. Time looses its meaning and the dimensions
of space show themselves in a totally new way. If you ever get back from this trip, there's
still one Escapade tracks left called "Transformation 2". This shortest number on the album
(13:30) begins in a very tranquil way, but at some point the drums join in, creating primitive
tribal moods, and during the last few minutes the jam gets rather intense. This album is
suitable for the more adventurous listeners, who like to enjoy their post rock to the power
of ten. www.fuenfundvierzig.com.
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A.W.R.
Let No Man Say It Can't Be Done
Analog Wail Records (001.2004)
Oh well, I guess this is the first album to have arrived from the post
without any information. Well okay, there is the name of the band and
the titles, but other than that nothing. Apparently the artist/artists
want to remain in the shadows. What I do also know, is that this package
was sent for me from Finland. Mysteries aside, there are five rather
sky-high tracks on this CD-R. The album sounds very home-made, which
on the other hand is also a benefit. The music is almost totally made
with machines, and at times a bit boring, but sometimes it works excellently.
The second track called "Starve Him With Silence" opens up with samples of
speeches by Hitler and other leaders during the World War II. A melancholy
organ grows on top of the samples. Light machine drums start to create
a bit trip hop -like mood, but in a very lo-fi style. The track ends with
very trippy spheres. The beautiful title track is more on the post rock
vein with its guitar and piano. Nice psychedelic vibes give a welcome extra
taste. The fourth one starts with good space sounds, and they are soon joined
by a bit odd beat. Rather high-flying stuff, and I think this has some
kraut rock influences. The last, drum-oriented track is a bit dull, I must admit.
This is surprisingly psychedelic package as a whole, but a couple of numbers
didn't work, and there would have been also some room for rearranging on others.
Looking forward to hear some more stuff!
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ES
Kaikkeuden kauneus ja käsittämättömyys
Fonal Records (FR-28)
Es is a solo project by Sami Sänpäkkilä, who also runs Fonal Records, and this is already his
third solo album. Sami is one of the two original Kiila members, as well. I haven't heard Sami's
first two solos, but apparently they are something even more abstract stuff than Kaikkeuden
kauneus ja käsittämättömyys. He calls this new one more pop and usual and somewhat clearer in
structure. This is still pretty weird and ambient stuff though, if you ask me, and the tracks
really don't have that much elements from pop. The album is Sami's epitaph for the sad, depressed,
sleepless, lost, fearful and lonely, and this is the carrying theme throughout the album. The
album gets you in a very plaintive mood, but it does include little rainbows bringing a glimpse
of hope into this cold world. The album is very touching and personal, and I think it is okay to
say that it feels like Sami has poured his whole innermost into it. The instrumentation is very
scarce, and the album has been recorded with anything from a dictating machine to studio. There
are some guest on vocals, violin and wind instruments. The most famous of them might be
Ville Leinonen, who sings finely in the last, title track. There are also some female vocals
on a lot of tracks. Noise from space, pulsar beats, sounds of water and birds are in use, as well.
Kaikkeuden käsittämättömyys ja kauneus is an album, that depending on the situation and mood,
can feel really boring or almost the best in the world. That's unusual. You can now order three
CD's for 11€ each from www.fonal.com.
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MARBLE SHEEP
For Demolition of a Spiritual Framework
Fünfundvierzig (141)
Marble Sheep is a Japanese heavy psych band formed by ex-White Heaven guitarist Ken Matsutani
in 1987. Ken is also known for his great Captain Trip record label. I haven't heard the band's
albums that much, but I must say that this new one at least is a real feast of raw and mind-expanding
guitar rock. The album starts with a groovy instrumental called "Old Fish", and in the end of it
the heavy soloing starts. "Fla Fla Heaven" (also released on 7" vinyl) is an energetic, punky
kraut rocker and the long third track "The Drop" continues in the similar heavy style being a total
blast with full power. "The Night of the Shooting Star" offers a small breather, and after a short
ethnic intro we get to the long acid jam called "Rain", and apart from the little momentary cooling
down close to the end, this is merciless guitar attack that at times goes even quite cacophonic.
"Perfect Island" is another more peaceful track with a noise solo. The album ends with the ominous,
threatening track "Just Going Around in Circles" that is more than seven minutes of drone without
any rhythm. I must say that this album was a really pleasant surprise, and proves once again, that
the Japanese know the noble art of making noisy guitar psychedelia. This CD is definitely worth
getting! www.soho-net.ne.jp/users/ohr/index.htm.
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TEATTERI MODERNI KANUUNA
Oopperse Le Feti Le Grande Anaale
Fonal Records (FR-29)
Mika Rättö from Pori calls himself as an illusion worker, and that's what he really is.
This fellow has excelled as a musician (Kuusumun Profeetta, Circle, Ektroverde...), painter,
writer, actor, director and who knows what. Teatteri Moderni Kanuuna is a Pori-based theatre
group, who have put on three plays mostly in Pori and Tampere. This is a soundtrack to
Oopperse Le feti Le Grande Anaale, the second, grotesque fantasy play written by Mika Rättö.
Unfortunately I haven't ever seen the actual play, but apparently the music on this CD differs
somewhat from the music heard on the theatrical piece itself. The surrealistic story of the
play tells about a schizophrenic building contractor Le Feti, who in his megalomania decides
to build a giant ass into the woods. It starts to pour out some strange crowd from the other
side, who totally mess up the life of the near by town. In the end Le Feti gets his punishment:
he is cast into a penis. It's a bit difficult to follow the story into detail by listening to
this CD, because you can't always say exactly what they are saying or singing. The music in
itself is sometimes even very enjoyable, and those who understand Finnish will get a few
good laughs from the lyrics, for sure. The album has very hallucinatory moments, so I do
dig this. The musicians in addition to Rättö include for example Pasi Salmi and Harri Sippola
from Magyar Posse, and there is some fine keyboard stuff on the album. Most of the actors
are included, as well, and some guest musicians. They have also used at least some acoustic
and electric guitar, different kinds of percussion and, on a few occasions, bass on the album.
The opera singer brings in a nice operatic atmosphere, and also the other vocal parts are
very successful. The music is rather minimal most of the time. For example the funeral mood
of the ending reminds me of the darkest, most peaceful parts of some 70's Italian prog bands.
This is a welcome, strange and most of all different CD, and they are already recording a sequel
to it in form of a soundtrack to the latest play Murheenkapselista galleriaan ja asemalle -
Kyseenalainen avaruusnäytelmä.
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KIILA
Silmät sulkaset
Fonal Records (FR-30)
Kiila has gone trough quite a metamorphosis. Five new musicians have joined the
original duo formed by Sami Sänpäkkilä and Niko-Matti Ahti. Also the music is
totally different on this new album than before. While the first Kiila 7"s featured
even some rather harsh electronic and experimental noise, Silmät sulkaset is full
of brilliant, fragile and mostly acoustic acid folk. If I'd have to give some
preference points, I'd say that I'm at least vaguely reminded by Third Ear Band,
and maybe Stone Breath from the present scene. There are both male and female
singers in the band, and the cosmic lyrics are sung in Finnish. The best tracks
are the mantra-like "Aurinkokunta" and the very beautiful "Minä-laulu". In addition
to the well structured, very fine tracks there are also a few more abstract atmosphere
pieces like "Kiviä ja tulta", where Arttu Partinen from the band Avarus appears as a guest.
There are also many dudes from Kemialliset ystävät included, so there's a clear connection
also to that band. The great covers that are very suitable to the mood were made by
Jan Anderzén. A really magnificent album that is worth getting into indeed. During the
autumn we hope to be able to enjoy the touching music of Kiila live at the Psychotropic Zone.
www.kiila.com.
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GURU GURU
Mani in Germani
Fünfundvierzig (130)
This album by the legendary kraut rock band Guru Guru was originally released in 1981.
At that point, some time had already gone since the heyday of the early seventies, but
the band still knew how to have some good time, at least, which is well documented on
the pictures on the digipack. The energetic drummer Mani Neumeier is famous for his
wicked sense of humour. There is not much residue left from the space rock heard on
the three first albums on this disc, although it includes stuff quite a lot in the
70's spirit. There are some new wave influences on the album ("Andrea", "Stamp Out Reality"),
reggae ("Jupiter God"), "Komm Lutsch Mal", a fast comedy piece sung in German in Mickey
Mouse falsetto, a blues track "Heit Geh I In D'Schtod", a couple of instrumental jazz/prog
jams ("Der Zweifache Weg", "Für Biene Maya") and lastly two weird freak-out improvisations
called "Blue Huhn" and "Lurchis Abenteur". What I like the best are the progressive pieces
that were originally on the B-side of the record, and prove that these guys can really play.
The more psychedelic ending of the album might sound like filler to some, but I think it's
pretty exciting, as well. This might not be one of the most essential kraut rock albums,
but it's mostly okay stuff. The original vinyl seems to be rather rare now, so this re-release
should be a welcome supplement to the collections of many Guru Guru fans.
www.fuenfundvierzig.com.
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BRAINTICKET
Alchemical Universe
Hologram/Fünfundvierzig (124)
Brainticket, led by the Belgian born keyboard wizard Joël Vandroogenbroeck, was
one of the most psychedelic and cosmic prog bands of the 70's. Albums like
Celestial Ocean (my favourite) featured really trippy synthesizers, esoteric
lyrics, flutes etc. Just top-notch stuff. Now Joël has modernized his music,
and has succeeded better than many other cosmic masters (Klaus Schultze,
Tangerine Dream...). Alchemical Universe is still very psychedelic, and the
mood has in a way remained the same since Celestial Ocean. The new thing is
the programmed drums, being at times close to trance, but most of the time
rather ambient in style. The album includes very spacious keyboard sounds,
and most of the music is instrumental. The old feel is emphasized by the
strange narrations by Carole Muriel and the occasional appearance of the flute.
There are also some jazz influences. This album will truly transport you into
some weird alchemical universe, if you surrender to it. This is a totally
amazing CD that can be warmly recommended to all the old Brainticket fans
and those into cosmic, electronic music. www.brainticket-art.com.
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SvartePan
Sov Gott
Ant Nest Records (ANRCD001)
SvartePan is band from Malmö, Sweden, playing 70's hard rock. Like their
kindred spirits Abramis Brama, also they sing is Swedish. Sov Gott is their
first album, and was recorded mostly live in studio and released in 2002.
The producer was Eduardo Fernandez from a stoner rock band Sgt. Sunshine.
They wanted to maintain something from the energetic live experience of
SvartePan, and they have apparently succeeded pretty well. The oldest
song on Sov Gott was written as early as 1993, but the album still forms
a pretty coherent package. The music is straight forward 70's hard rock
without any unnecessary elegance. What I dig most are the Black Sabbath
influences that burst out from time to time. There is also some jam spirit,
which is a good thing. This is not exactly my music, because it's not that
psychedelic, unfortunately. Maybe the guys smoke a few joints from time
to time, but that's not enough. But if you're into old-school groovy
hard rock, this album works for you. After Sov Gott SvartePan have
released a split 7" wit Abramis Brama where both bands play a cover
by the old Swedish hard rock band November. A new CD by the band should
be out soon. You can find their web site at www.svartepan.com.
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ULTRAVIOLET MAKES ME SICK
...No Freeway, No Plan, No Trees, No Ghosts
Camera Obscura (CAM064CD)
Ultraviolet Makes Me Sick is an Italian post-rock group founded in 1999. They
incorporate also some progressive and jazzy elements in their music. The trio
is formed by Alberto Anadone: guitar, bass, fretless bass (depending on the track),
Gianmaria Aprile: acoustic & electric guitar and harmonica and Davide Impellizzeri:
drums and vibraphone. Prior to this album they have released two CD-R EP's, and
the songs from these were also compiled to a CD called Soundproof that was
released by Camera Obscura. UVMMS plays pretty relaxed and laid-back cinematic
instrumental music. On this album, they have also used a quest vocalist Andreas
Ferraris from the bands Deep End and One by One We're All Becoming Shades for
a few tracks ("Counter-Clockwise", "A Two Headed Coin" ja "Intimacy Is Jazz,
Disturbance is Art"). There are also some other guests on a bit of keyboards,
accordion and cello. The album is still mostly guitar dominated. I think that
the band more or less has a style of their own, but they have something in common
with bands like Tortoise, Mogwai and Do Make Say Think. The music is touching and
beautiful and usually in a minor key. The lack of bass on some tracks distracts
me a bit, but hey, I'm only a stupid bass player... "[...]", the last tracks on the album,
is a part of an improvisation, but the rest are clearly composed works. This album
was released in Italy by Urtovox. There are some MP3's to be downloaded from the
bands web site at www.uvmms.com
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MESMER
Demo
I really don't know much about this band, although I've met the guys once.
Mesmer apparently comes from Tampere, and as their name suggest, they play
hypnotic, dark gothic rock with psychedelic overtones. There are eight tracks
on this demo, and they have names like "Absinth Letter", Heavenly Narcotic"
and "After Drowning". These names in themselves might give you some kind of
picture of what's the deal. The band uses drum machine, a lot of keyboards,
guitar and bass. The music is usually rather slow, but at times also pretty
hard as well, like in the end of "Shellsong". The singer has a quite low,
strong voice. A strange deviation from their style is "Subutex Willer" that
is actually boogie. "Lower East Side", the last track on the CD-R, is almost
dub reggae. My favourite might be the long and paralyzing "Heavenly Narcotic"
that has some oriental feel. http://mesmermusic.tk
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PYLON
Not Cobras
Last Visible Dog (LVD055)
Well this is a strange album... Pylon was formed by Tero Niskanen and Roope Eronen from Tampere.
The duo later on merged together with Anaksimandros and others to form the group Avarus.
This album, that was recorded in 2000 was originally released on CD-R, and the small, limited
run was mostly distributed to the Tampere region. Now when Lal lal lal scene (Avarus and
Kemialliset Ystävät, for example) is beginning to gain cult status also abroad, Last Visible Dog
from the States decided to release the album on CD. Not Cobras is a pile of tracks recorded
in a very primitive way. I couldn't find any names to the tracks from the booklet. This is
very experimental clatter and drone, and there is some kind of unfathomable gibberish in
there as well. You could imagine that this kind of music doesn't really require so much
musical talent, but a suitable amount of madness and creativity and a lot of balls in stead.
I'm tempted to smile occasionally while listening to this CD, but I must admit that I do
feel drawn to it in some perverse way. At times it feels like some Tibetan monks have overdosed
on acid. You can attain a certain state of primitive trance by listening to this album.
This is clearly meant for those into strange and unique music.
www.lvd.4mg.com
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THE HYPNOMEN
Crystal Skies
Stupido Records (TWINCD 67)
Crystal Skies is the fourth full-length by the Helsinki-based The Hypnomen.
They have also released two mini albums and a big pile of singles. The band
has gained quite a large cult following in their homeland and also abroad during
their ten years of existence, and not without a reason. Crystal Skies continues
where Andromeda Airport album ended in 2002. There are some very groovy, Santana-styled
instrumentals with Latino percussion ("Revelation", "Busting Out", "Freedom Rider"),
slower, touching and beautiful psykepop pieces ("Asleep", "Crystal Skies", "Love Gone Bad"),
a bit heavier boosts á la Uriah Heep/Deep Purple ("Sergio" and "Poseidon") and something
in between. Hammond organs have a very important role on the CD. The bass is very groovy
and the guitars played with style. Although Pekka Laine seems to be holding back
a little: I know he can play much wilder solos. The Hypnomen are an instrumental group,
but as was the case with the previous album, they have used some guest vocalists on
a few songs. The marvellous "Asleep" that reminds me lot of "Riders on the Storm" by
The Doors is sung by Jonna Tervomaa, the hypnotic, psychedelic "The Morning After" that is,
in my opinion, the best track on the album, is sung by Knipi and Markus Nordenstreng and
"Love Gone Bad" by Janne Lehtinen. Vilunki 3000 (And the Lefthanded) plays some keyboards
on the aforementioned track and J.P. Virtanen some piano on "Freedom Rider". In addition
to "Asleep" and "The Morning After", one of the highlights of the album is the laid-back,
repetitive long title track "Crystal Skies". This is absolutely marvellous album and it's
also pretty psychedelic, although it will go down nicely to people who are into more "normal"
music, as well. This is very suitable music for example sitting on the porch with a drink
in your hand during the summer. If you liked the band's previous album, you just have to
buy this one too. You should be able to check out the band live at the Psychotropic Zone
on 28.5., unless Nieminen & Litmanen, a duo formed by their keyboard player and drummer
(first album should be out soon), are going to play outside of Finland just then.
www.hypnomen.com
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PHOSPHENE
Projection
Secret Eye Records (AB-OC-10)
This is the second album by Phosphene. John Cavanagh has this time also used some guests.
Projection shows some progression also in that aspect, that in addition to the ethereal,
ambient-electro-floating there are now also some clear songs with rhythm and vocals.
He hasn't compromised one drop on the psychedelic side though, which is always positive...
There are also some 60's influences on the album, even a bit of Pink Floyd feel. Quantitatively
the most part of the album is still filled with cosmic instrumental soundscapes in the similar
style than on Long Meadow Felt Company. John does have a marvellous skill to make
his electronic noises sound surprisingly organic. This is a nice, trippy album, and extra
points for the cool cover! You can find some additional information from John's home page
at www.phosphene.debrett.net.
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PSEUDO SUN
Live Ghosts
There are only 130 copies of this vinyl pressed, so I guess we can talk about
a real collector's item here. This album is a compilation of live material from
the career of Swedish space rock band Pseudo Sun. There's even one track from their
first gig at Jönköping Space & Rock Festival in 1998. Most of the stuff is from the
Hawkfan meeting organized in Hamburg in 2000, one track is from Lille Maria, Stockholm.
The album was made by the band them selves, and the hand-made covers and labels are
very primitive. There's also an A4 sized info sheet included. In Hamburg, they have
a couple of guests on synthezisers (me(!) and Scott Heller). Juba, the main man of
Pseudo Sun, used to play bass in DarXtar, so the album starts off with version of
an old DarXtar track "Metal Fatigue". Heavy and excellent version! Other tracks are
by Pseudo Sun. There's a lot of jamming, which is great. The sound quality is okay too,
even though this is not exactly a hi-fi release. This is recommendable buy for all
the space rock collectors. If you're interested, you can contact the band directly
(warp9.to/pseudosun), or order it from www.hippieshakerecords.com.
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ACHILLEUS
S/T
Non Records (00)
Achilleus was a Swedish prog band in the early 80's. Friends of psychedelia and
space rock might be interested to know that all the members have played or still
play in DarXtar. Achilleus released one 7" single during their existence, but the
fellows also recorded a lot of other material. From these hidden archives comes
this limited edition (180 copies pressed) private press vinyl. In addition to
progressive rock, there are some hard rock influences, and from time to time also
some signs of the more freaky touch to come. There are some pretty cool jam parts
here and there, too. The playing (guitar, keyboards, bass, drums) is great, and
many songs are excellent compositions. All the lyrics are in Swedish, which adds
some personality. In summary, this is rather interesting stuff. This one also comes
with a very primitive, hand-made covers and an info sheet. Available from
www.hippieshakerecords.com.
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THE PYRAMIDS OF SNAFU
Alternative Present
Zep Tepi Records CD-R EP
There are some Spaceritual.net members playing in The Pyramids of Snafu, so for
example Mick Slattery (guitar) and Terry Ollis (drums) who played in the early
incarnation of the mighty Hawkwind are involved. This fact already makes this four
track EP very interesting, but it also includes very good music. The band plays sort
of late 60's/early 70's heavy psychedelic prog rock. High Tide and Magic Muscle are
the first bands that come to mind. This is, of course, is largely due to the magnificent
violin playing by Chris Barnet. The excellent guitar playing by Mr. Slattery also
stands out. This EP was recorded live in the studio, which guarantees a good overall
feel, but also causes some little problems with the playing. They could also have
added some more spacious synths with over-dubs. My favourites are the opener "First Love",
a great composition with strong drumming, and the last track "Free Energy" that is
an energetic three-chord jam, as its title suggests. The speeding up in the end works
out great. Alternative Present promises a lot and leaves us anxiously waiting for the
band's forthcoming album. You can contact the band by sending email to their bassist
Melissa Joseph at M.Joseph@uea.ac.uk.
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ANOMIE
A Trip into the Unknown
24th Century Productions
Anomie is a very spacious duo formed by Stuart Bartson and Colin Wilson from the UK.
These fellows also now play in a band called The Pyramids of Snazu. This, as far as
I can tell the first Anomie album, includes very mind-expanding stuff. Both members
play the guitar, bass, keyboards and synthezisers. In addition, Stuart takes care of
the programming and sings. They have used a lot of samples on the CD and for example
some texts by our good friend Dr. T. Leary (on tracks "Chain of Life" and "Slide Interfusion").
The programmed drums disturb me occasionally, but not much. The other weak link is
the vocals: they suck a bit. The album is a very nice space trip in any other way,
and they have managed to create very interesting, floating ambience especially with
keyboards and synths. A lot of this is even psychedelic ambient music, but there are
also rockier, guitar-driven hippy songs. The booklet of the album explains the recording
and mixing process in great detail, and I'm sure this interests some of us. This is
an exciting album that's worth getting into. The band have released at least one studio
album and one live album after this one. It's possible to see them at the Glastonbury Festival,
where they have also plays before. www.anomie.co.uk.
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MOON TROTSKIJ
I Fell but Andromeda Rose to the Stars
Goddam I'm a Countryman Records (Countryman 004)
The Swedish The Spacious Mind is one of my favourite bands, so I was very exited
when the first solo album by their bassist Henrik Oja suddenly materialized into
the fulcrum of the Psychotropic Zone. Moon Trotskij sounds more like TSM than
for example than the solo album by their keyboard player Jens, so I've been digging
this album a lot. Henrik used to play guitar, so it's obvious that he can manage that
with style and skill. He also plays keyboards and percussions and sings on this CD.
In addition, he takes care of the tapes, samples, programming and digital treatments.
The only think he needed some help with was the drums that were played by David Sandström.
The lyrics were written by Jens Unosson. There is only one massive about 45 minutes long
track that has been divided into three parts. There's enough time for a lot of different
things to happen in this time, as one would expect. The track starts softly with acoustic
guitars, and grows gradually. In less than ten minutes we'll get to the full power blast
with heavy Hawkwind-styled space rock. Then things cool down to sort of early 70's peaceful
Pink Floyd stuff, until the hard rocking starts again. The end part is again quite calming.
The album forms a truly amazing psychedelic journey, and it should be played loud and in
one go. This is very recommendable purchase for everyone into psychedelic and hypnotic rock!
This will make a perfect soundtrack to tripping while waiting for the next album by The Spacious Mind.
Great!
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VOCOKESH
The Tenth Corner
Strange Attractors Audio House (SAAH019)
This is the first Vocokesh release since the excellent Paradise Revisited in 1998.
This American band that separated from the legendary group F/i already in the
beginning of the nineties continues to map the cosmic territories with their
very psychedelic jam-based space/kraut rock. The first time I ever heard their
music was on the F/i/Vocokesh split vinyl that I ordered from Delerium years ago.
The music really has developed a lot since that release, and in to a good
direction. Typical for this band are the endlessly wondering, often heavy
guitars and the bleeping and buzzing of analogue synthesizers. They seem to
be influenced at least by the ancient German masters like Ash Ra Temple,
Cosmic Jokers and Agitation Free. Very acid-drenched stuff, that is.
The Tenth Corner includes seven tracks of mind-blowing, hypnotic instrumental
music making good use of repetition. The title track that starts off the
album begins very calmly with acoustic guitar, electric leads and analogue
melodies and without drums. "Love Theme from El Topo" was written as an alternative
soundtrack for the film and is a weird, 15 minutes long confusing experiment.
The ghostly, somewhat cacophonic organ piece "Desert Song" is meant to be
listened to while watching Zabriskie Point, and doesn't have any rhythm.
"Eddie's Hallucination" starts calmly and grows into a nice mid-tempo jam.
Tremolo guitar and analogue buzz are in excellent use. "The Holy Mountain"
is again a longer (over 15 minutes long) alternative film music track with
a lot of clicking and clacking and funny noises. The end swells into almost
total chaos with the aid of organs. Phew! I'm loosing my mind. A bit shorter
"Special Glasses for Remote Viewing" is reminiscent of a soundtrack to some
B-grade Sci-Fi film from the fifties, and also quite experimental stuff.
The sweetest brain-candy has been reserved for the end, how ever. "Vibe #4"
is unbelievably marvellous trip into the whirlpool of consciousness. This
bounding jam features some oriental touch in an Anubian Lights style, although
we're not talking about electro here. This is the grooviest track on the album,
even danceable in a weird way. In my opinion they could have replaced a couple
of the most experimental freak-outs with this kind of messing with your head,
but this is a fine unity as it is. www.strange-attractors.com.
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TSURUBAMI
Gekkyukekkichi
Strange Attractors Audio House (SAAH015)
This is the second album that I've heard from this Japanese group consisting of
Emi Nobuko: drums, Higashi Hiroshi: bass and Kawabata Makoto: guitar. The last two
also play in Acid Mothers Temple as we all know. Tsurubami was started already in 1994
before the formation of AMT, though. They haven't been active the whole time, I must add.
They did do European and US tours during the spring of 2003. Tsurubami plays completely
improvised music shifting from calm peace to total chaos and back. There are no ordinary
rhythms or melodies to be found, so this is definitely not for all the occasional music
listeners. The members of the band feel like they're blood brothers and sisters (the drummer
is a woman) who were destined to play together already in their past lives. They have sworn
to play all their lives in this band. They have a very philosophical basis for their playing,
and you can sense that in their music. There are two long tracks on this album, over one
hour in length together. The music is truly free without any limitations. The players sort
of form one unity being in telepathic connection during playing. That's the way improvisation
works best, of course. This is very weird and out-of-this-world stuff.
www.acidmothers.com.
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JOSIAH
S/T
Molten Records (MELT CD 001)
Josiah is a fresh British trio playing really groovy rock with psychedelic stoner touch.
Their first release was a 10" called "Out of the First Rays". This, their debut released
in 2002, was the first release by Delerium Records' follower Molten Records. After this
they have released a couple of excellent albums by On Trial. The music of Josiah can be
described as some kind of a hybrid between Grand Funk Railroad, Black Sabbath and stoner
rock. At times they go wild in a MC5 style (on a track called "Saturnia"), and "Gone like
Tomorrow" reminds me of Led Zeppelin with its acoustic guitar, mellotron and electric
piano. The band is at its best on the slow and mid-tempo, heavy songs that really rock
hard, though. Three of the album's eight tracks are 8 to 9 minutes in length, which I
always enjoy. They have been wise enough to add some occasional psychedelic gurgle to
the tracks, and thanks for that. The production is very successful in other respects,
as well, and the playing is sharp and tight. The composing skills are not exactly as
good as On Trial's, but this is a fine debut release anyway. After this CD the band has
also released a new vinyl single, but I'm sorry to say I haven't heard that one yet.
This band is worth checking out if you're into heavy, groovy and loud rock.
www.molten-records.com.
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REBEL POWERS
Not One Star Will Stand the Night
Strange Attractors Audio House (SAAH016)
Oh yes, yet another band featuring Acid Mothers Temple members... And why not.
The player in Rebel Powers are the Telstar Ponies guitarist and The Wire journalist
David Keenan: guitar, Kawabato Makoto, guitar and sarangi, Cotton Casino: voice and
the original AMT drummer Koizumi Hajime on percussion. Not One Star Will Stand the
Night was recorded in 1998 in London with the help of Toby Robinson. This guy has worked
with Stockhausen, Ash Ra Temple and Fushitsusha. There are two long improvised pieces
("We Are for the Dark" and "Our God Is a Mighty Fortress") of cosmic, a bit scary but
peaceful and floating psychedelic minimalism on the album. Only the sarangi has been
over-dubbed. The music works best in horizontal position in a dark or candle-lit room.
The promo info sheet claims Rebel Powers to be a band in its own right and not a side
project, but that's what I would still call it. This is a magical, eerie and fine CD,
and every AMT fan should buy it.
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MAGYAR POSSE
Kings of Time
Verdura Records (VERDU-11)
Phew! Kings of Time is one of the greatest albums ever released in Finland.
The debut of the Pori-based Magyar Posse already promised a lot in 2002, but
now all expectations have been redeemed. This new album also went directly
into the charts to number 19, so the boys really have reason to smile. Posse
continues in the same path charted by Ennio Morricone, Godspeed You Black Emperor!
and Sigur Ros that they already walked on their debut, but their grip has
grown much more purposeful. They really know what they are doing, and they
do it well. Kings of Time has seven tracks on it, the titles of which are
not given to the record buyers. There are eight different covers instead,
that you can change depending on your mood. The atmosphere on the album is
very melancholic throughout, but there is a lot of variation in intensity.
There all very soft, peaceful and beautiful parts, but also very powerful,
loud parts. Repetition is effectively in use. Perhaps the most characteristic
thing to the band are the noble, sad melodies. The album is also spiced with
some female voices by for example their label mate Vuk, but this is still
instrumental music. The violin fits in perfectly for the two tracks, as well.
There is also enough psychedelic material. My favourite track might be the
last one, presenting the wildest stuff on the CD. Some people have complained
that this album is too short (48:20), and I must admit that there would have
been room for one more song, at least. But it's always better to leave the
audience hungry. I think that Magyar Posse would have demand abroad, because
they make so high quality stuff. Later this year they are supposed to go and
play overseas, again. The band also works very well live, so there really doesn't
seem to be any obstacles to their success.
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VERDE
Live
Musically Incorrect Records (MIR#15)
This is a compilation of the best pieces of the Verde live gigs between years 2000 and 2003.
The tracks were recorded at Telakka, Tampere, Taidepalatsi, Helsinki, Veturitalli, Mikkeli
and Café Diamond, Pori. The crew in addition to M. Rintala varies on every gig: in Tampere
he has with him M. Elo, M. Rättö and T. Majaluoma, In Helsinki J. Laiho and Y. Sauros, and
in Mikkeli and Pori he's joined only by J. Laiho. There are 21 untitled tracks on this
massive double CD-R, and the whole length of the album is over 150 minutes. The mental
health of the weakest persons might be in danger, if the whole album is listened to in
the row, this is so strange stuff. The music is almost instrumental, but there are also
cosmic rantings about the connection with mushrooms and humans, for example, by Y. Sauros
on the Helsinki tracks. Very effective! M. Rintala's electronic instruments are in the
main role, and they do bleep and buzz nicely. There are also a lot of samples and programmed
drums and for example guitar. This is innovative, experimental music with psychedelic edge.
The sound quality is OK, even though you can hear some audience chatter from time to time.
In this case it might be intentional, though. The covers are hand-made and unique. You can
get the album for 8 € from www.groups.yahoo.com/group/musically_incorrect.
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THE DAVOLINAS
Demo 2003
The Devolinas is a Danish group formed in Copenhagen in 2000. From the original
members there are chicks called Lene (guitar/vocals) and Anja (bass) left. On the
drums they now have a guy called Per, who only had been in the band for two months
before this demo was recorded. There are four relatively simple rock songs with
heavy guitars on the demo. This has very little to do with psychedelia, although
there are some stoner and garage influences to be heard. I was told that the style
has changed into a bit more stoned and hard-hitting after the recording of this demo,
and that's good news. This demo includes pretty decent stuff, but it doesn't really
impress me. If there would be more psychedelic elements that would change things.
My favourites on this demo are the bit faster "Your Sleepy Days are through" that
reminds me a bit of the Finnish Thee Ultra Bimboos and the last, some what more
progressive "City of Vinyl" that proves, that the band can play also some more
difficult stuff. Let's just wait and see in what direction this band will develop.
This as well as an earlier demo can be downloaded from the band's website at www.davolinas.dk.
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STONE BREATH
The Silver Skein Unwound
Camera Obscura (CAM061CD)
This is the fourth, magnificent CD by Stone Breath from the US. This group plays
earthy acoustic psychedelic folk and they are absolutely one of the best among the
contemporary masters of the genre. Their music has a dark quality and it's rather
minimal and touching. The male/female vocals work fine. You can sense the vast,
gloomy forests and nature and a certain closeness of death. This is very mystical
and magical stuff. The band has been compared to for example The Incredible String
Band and Current 93, and not without a reason. On this album, they have used among
other things guitar, banjo, whistles, flutes, dulcimer, harmonium and melodica as
instruments. The lyrics and the cover art complement perfectly the mystical atmosphere
offered by the music. Stone Breath seems to have some kind of a hidden, ancient
knowledge that they want to share with their music with everyone who's ready to
hear it. The Silver Skein Unwound is an excellent album, and if you're into psychedelic
folk music you definitely should check this out. "Darkness calls itself light, and
the true light is called darkness". www.cameraobscura.com.au.
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DIPSOMANIACS
Praying Winter
Camera Obscura (CAM062CD)
Dipsomaniacs, along with Motorpsyho, represents the cream of the Norwegian psych pop.
This is their sixth album. In addition, there have been several single releases, and
they have also appeared on numerous compilations. There are 14 marvellous, shortish
(only three clocking over four minutes) tracks in the 60's psych pop/rock vain on
Praying Winter. These fellows move somewhere in between The Byrds, The Beatles, Zombies
and a bit The Grateful Dead, as well. They do have their own, recognisable touch though,
so this is not just 60's retro thing. The voice of the singer/guitarist/songwriter
Øyvind Holm is very original, and does give the music a unique quality. Besides the
traditional rock instruments they have also used for example some trombone and strings
in a fine way. There are no weak tracks on this CD, but I still try to describe a few
favourites of mine. "How to Fall" is a sad, splendid track in ¾ time. The trombone gives
a nice extra boost. An early version of this song is available on the International League
of the Telepathic Explorers compilation (check out my review at Zone). "Feel the Travel"
is from the rockiest side of the album, a very welcome stimulant on this otherwise rather
serene album. The title track "Praying Winter" is a hountingly beautiful, soft ballad.
"Read My Mind (And Tell Me)" definitely has some hit potential, and it is also released
as a single (have to get that one too!). The faster tempo works very well. "One Good Cry"
is wilder than the rest of the songs, and its psychedelic ending reminds me of the early
days of Pink Floyd. "Caught by This Feeling" is co-written with AqPop, whose version of
the song is to be found on the second Free City Media compilation Further Adventures of
the Telepathic Adventures (review of which can also be found from Zone). An album full of
exquisite compositions with superb melodies, every one who likes 60's styled psych pop
should really get this. www.dipsomaniacs.com.
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VERDE
Vuoronumero
Ruma Puulaaki/Karkia Mistika (Verde-010)
Verde is Mika Rintala, also familiar with his Circle and Ektroverde connections.
He has released several, mainly self-recorded CD-R's under the Verde moniker, but
this is the first actual CD release. Rintala has excelled as a builder of his own
electronic instruments utilising air humidifiers, vacuum cleaners and sewing
machines etc. With these gizmos along with some more ordinary synthesisers
and other instruments he is able to create pretty wacky sounds. Vuoronumero
is not that far away from for example the albums by Eturivi and Kirvasto, both
also featuring Mika. The closest comparison among the Ektroverde releases is
without doubt Music From The Film Futuro - A New Stance for Tomorrow. So this
is very experimental, weird and unique music. The album is not just full of
bleeping, murmur and excerpts of Rintala's collection of hundreds of hours of
field recordings. Yrjänä Sauros, Jyrki Laiho, Jussi Lehtisalo, Mika Rättö and
Markku Veijonsuu are all guesting on the CD. There are some beautiful acoustic
guitar parts, electric guitar, kraut rock influenced rhythms, jazzy horns and
odd monologues in Finnish. All in all, the album forms even surprisingly enjoyable
whole, although some of the songs might just be too strange for the masses. This
album can be recommended to those who like experimental, varied, psychedelic and
mostly electronic artistic ambient music. www.phinnweb.com/circle/verde.
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BIRCHVILLE CAT MOTEL
Beautiful Speck Triumph
Last Visible Dog (lvd 054/54)
Birchville Cat Motel is in fact Campbell Kneale from New Zealand, and the instruments
he plays on this album are as varied as guitars, synths, cheap organs, children's
rattles, melodica, floorboards, etc. BCM has released plenty of stuff over the years,
but this is the first one that found its way into my ears, even though the act has
gigged in Finland, as well. This is very minimal, quite pretty drone noise that proceeds
really slowly. There are six extremely long and slow tracks on this double album, so
this clearly isn't for the hasty people. This is meditative, relaxing and some might
say, at times pretty boring stuff. This not the kind of music you'd listen to very often,
but in the right state of mind (heavily medicated, just passing out, in meditation...)
this is very enjoyable. My favourites are the tracks that have a bit more notes and action:
the last track on the first CD "Speck Fears" and the last, title track of the whole album
that presents the more intensive side, and even includes a very slow drum comp. This is
album is for those into experimental, quiet and weird music. www.lvd.4mg.com.
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ON TRIAL
Head
Molten Records (MELT CD 004)
This is a re-release of a 10-inch cover album that was the first On Trial release by Delerium.
On Trial presents the Scandinavian psychedelic rock as its best, and they also have a good taste
in cover songs. All the tracks on the original vinyl have been gathered for this release, and
also "Citadel" by the Rolling Stones, a bonus track only available on the German version. Only
the 15 minute long live version of "Slip inside This House" by the 13th Floor Elevators has been
left out. The guys weren't happy about this version of their live favourite, which is a shame,
since I really think it's excellent. It has been replaced by many other covers from the psych
masters of the 60's. Also included is the latest 7" by On Trial("Interstellar Overdrive"/"Parchment Farm", check my review at Zone). The band succeeds in putting new life in these marvellous
songs with their energetic playing. Multiply guitars create surprisingly mind-expanding sound,
and the singer Bo is one of my favourites. The highlights include the bubbling opener
"Reverberation (Doubt)" by 13th Floor Elevators, the last, touching Roky Eriksson cover
"I Have Always Been Here Before" and the wild version of the Stooges track "TV Eyes".
"Five Years ahead of My Time" (Third Bardo), also recorded by Monster Magnet, one of
On Trial's modern influences, is magnificent too. But then again, there are no weak
tracks on this disc. This is worthy purchase, even if you already own the rare 10"
original, and an absolute must if not, and are into wild, competent, groovy and heavy
psych with 60's influences. I hope the boys will also be able to put out some new original
material soon! www.ontrial.dk
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BLACK FOREST/BLACK SEA
Forcefields and Constellations
Bluessanct (INRI076)
Forcefields and Constellations is the name of the second CD by this weird American
duo formed by Jeffrey Alexander and Miriam Goldberg. The album was released just
prior to the band's European tour. It's an interesting collection of live and
studio recordings using acoustic and electric guitars, cello, loops, electronics,
female vocals and samples from for example Kemialliset Ystävät(!). The duo plays
peaceful, subtle music that is at times rather straight stuff with folky finger-picked
acoustic guitar and pretty cello and vocal melodies, but on the other hand, they also
have really strange effects and improvisation-based freak-outs. The overall feel is
still always rather minimal and lo-fi. I really like this album, even though this
style is not exactly what I usually listen to. They do have enough beautiful, sad
melodies and psychedelic touch to make the whole thing interesting. Also the lyrics
are suitably odd, although there only a few tracks with vocals. It was interesting
to see, how these guys handled the live situation just by themselves, and I think
it worked out great. On albums they can also do some over-dubbing, so the sound is
a bit more varied. It's worthwhile to get to know this band, and this new album is
an excellent opportunity to do that. www.bluesanct.com.
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KUUSUMUN PROFEETTA
Sanansaattaja Oraakkeli Salamurha Hyökkäysvaunu
Ektro Records (EKTRO-024)
Wow! Kuusumun Profeetta has absolutely released their best album so far. This
will surely be one of the (if not the) best Finnish releases in 2004. It's also
really great to see, that the band's uncompromised hard work of many years is
finally paying off also commercially. Frankly, I wouldn't have believed that
you can get to the charts also with original, creative and imaginative music...
Go Finland! Sanansaattaja Oraakkeli Salamurha Hyökkäysvaunu is a brilliant
marriage of the band's early progressive art rock, the psychedelic folk of
the last two albums and 80's heavy metal. The end result is a really nice
whole that leaves nothing to complain about. Well okay, there might have
been more of the most psychedelic stuff... Some kind of a theme of the album
seems to be war, death, destruction, the powers of evil etc. So the overall
tone of the album is pretty dark and sad, but not too depressive, at least
not for me. There are eight members in the group nowadays, and they can create
quite a rich sound. The amount of keyboards is surprisingly low, but there are
plenty of more electric guitars than on the previous albums. Saxophone and
trumpet are also heavily presented to add more colour to the music.
The characteristic vocals of Mika Rättö still demand a lot of the attention,
although they are not just in such an important role than before. The female
backing vocals have been replaced with more manly touch, which suits the
album better. It is rather difficult to choose any favourites from the eleven
masterpieces on the album, but the first track "Me olemme veitsi joka viiltää"
immediately stands out. This track has gotten some airplay, and there's also
a video for it directed by the bass player Mikko Elo, and it's suitably
mystic for the mood. There's some Judas Priest -style guitar attack on
the merciless track "Morsius Kuoleman". Totally unbelievable twin-guitar
solos these guys play! "Hämärän enkeli" is a good example of the more relaxed,
beautifully melancholic material, and why not also "Tuuleen kätketty kirje".
The last actual song on the album "Puutarha menneen ihmemaan" even includes
a little seed of hope after all the gloominess, and it surely is welcome.
The album fades into cacophonic, short instrumental called "Sanansaattaja",
and it leaves the listener in an appropriately psychedelic and weird state.
Buy this album or be shamed! There's an outtake to be downloaded from the
band's website at: www.moonfogprophet.com.
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MUSTI LAITON
Avaruusvuodet
New Music Community (NMC-001)
Oh, I really don't know how this kind of a band has been able to operate
in Helsinki for several years without my knowledge? Well, better late
than never. Musti Laiton plays relaxed, ethereal and experimental instrumental
ambient music. Their atmospheric tracks create interesting, psychedelic
soundscapes. The music has a bit 70's Tangerine Dream feel, but this doesn't
sound a lot like TD, though. The synths don't have such an important role
than in Siniaalto, but the band doesn't have so organic touch as Avarus,
though. I'd say Musti might still be situated somewhere in between these
fellow-citizens of theirs. Their whole second album is pretty peaceful stuff.
During the most intense parts there is even some drum beat and Ashra-styled
delay guitar to be found. The eight tracks on the album are all in the four
and a half to eleven minutes range. Great stuff, and it will be interesting
to find out how the group works live on 31.1.04 at Zone, when they will fill
in the hole caused by the cancellation of Kemialliset ystävät. You can order
the album from the record company www.newmusiccommunity.org for the ridiculous
price of 12€ inc. postage. More info and a lot of music to be downloaded from
the band's website at www.mustilaiton.net.
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THE WALKING OWL
Fa-Sol
Orpheus Records (ORPH 010)
This is another new vinyl release by Orpheus. Like the Aron LP,
this is mostly one man's journey into the depths of consciousness.
This time the trip is lighter and happier, though. I haven't heard
from this Owl before. There was nothing to be found on the net either,
but apparently this chap has been hanging around the Danish underground
circles for some years now. Anyway, this is his first album. In addition
to the very nice vocals the most dominant factor is acoustic guitar.
There are also some natures sounds and percussion and Fender Rhodes
played by quests. The Walking Owl plays pleasant hippie psych folk
that I really like to listen to. The music is not overtly mind-expanding,
though. The album clearly shows respect for the singer/songwriter
tradition of the 60's. You can sense a certain fairytale-like element
and magic on the album. The music is beautiful, as well. It has a relaxing
and uplifting effect, at least on me. There are 17 tracks on the album,
most of which are very short. Only the last song "Into the Air" is over
8 minutes long. All in all, this is a pretty nice new acquaintance.
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ARON
Among the Dead
Orpheus Records (ORPH 009)
 Danish Orpheus Records are specialized in releasing Danish
underground music, and Aron presents just that at its best.
Hats off for Orpheus for releasing only vinyl, by the way!
Aron is an ex-On Trial guitarist, and traces of that too are
still to be heard on his second solo album. Among the Dead is
mostly dark, gloomy, one-man psych folk. The lyrics deal a lot
with death, so there's no happy flower stuff to be found. The
mood is at times almost frightening, and also reminded by for
example Pandemonica, also known for the On Trial connection,
even though Aron is not just as heavy. That being said, the
spirit is really ghostly on a couple of tracks on the B side.
In addition to the acoustic guitars Aron plays also some fuzz
guitar and drums on the album. Two guests play keyboards on
a couple of tracks. There are no machines being used. The sound
is very home-made, and the whole album oozes private press feel.
The album comes with an A-4 size insert, but at least in my copy
it is totally black. I'm not sure whether this was a mistake or
intentional, or maybe some certain types of wizardry should be
practiced to bring forth the text... The music leaves the listener
in a very surrealistic and haunted state of mind. If that's not
your cup of tea, you shouldn't listen to this album... I, for one,
do enjoy this album a lot. I'm just irritated that I didn't get
Aron's first solo Blackbeacon, since it's been totally sold out
for a few years now. So, if you're going to get this future rarity,
order it right now directly from the record company (www.orpheusrecords.dk)
or from Freak Emporium (www.freakemporium.com), for example.
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REVEREND BIZARRE
Harbinger of Metal
Spikefarm Records (NAULA042)
Okay, this is really not psych, at least if you listen to it only
superficially, but since I've been a big doom metal fan, I just have
to review this one. Reverend Bizarre, founded in Lohja in the year
of the Lord 1993, is one of the few, if not the only true messengers
of old-school doom in Finland. And they are not called the slowest
band in Finland without a reason. They themselves call this 74 minutes
long CD an EP! There are seven tracks on the album, four of which are
gigantic in length, three quite short. There are some obvious influences
by Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Saint Vitus and Trouble to be heard. The
excellent sound is a bit heavier, though, even something like on Jerusalem by Sleep.
I'd say the closest comparison is Saint Vitus, especially on the vocal
department. The singer also screams, and there are even some Celtic Frost
styled "moaning" vocals, though. Very diverse guy, with a great voice.
The playing of the whole band is also very good. The whole album is ultra
slow, heavy and gloomy. The less than two minute long "The Ambassador",
and especially "Into the Realms of Magickal Entertainment" give some relief.
At times there are also some flamboyant melodies, as there should be in this
style. A funny detail is a several minutes long drum solo in the middle of
"From the Void". I mean, who else does this kind of stuff in this decade,
and even on a studio album?! Well done, boys! The lyrics are in the typical
doom vain á la "the end is near", and they couldn't really be anything else,
of course. The only little complaint comes from the fact that there are very
few guitar solos, but that doesn't really matter that much. All in all a very
recommendable album for all the doom metal puritans! http://reverend.shows.it/
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DEPRESSIVE ART
When Spirits Surround
Demo
This is a second demo by Swedish Depressive Art,
continuing very well from where the first one got them.
The music is still melancholy, beautiful psych pop in
the style of the late 60's. "Solar System", the first
track on the demo, rocks the hardest of the three songs.
There's some clear hit potential in The Soundtrack of our
Lives spirit. A fine chorus. "My Own Little Hell" is a relaxed
track in ¾. Pretty stuff, and the chorus really touches
your soul. "Breastfed Lies" ends this demo in an extremely
beautiful and sad way. The cello fits in the mood very well.
I like Klas's dark, personal singing voice a lot. The band
is very good in other ways too, so I think it's only a matter
of time when they will get a decent recording deal. I think
they have all the ingredients for success. We have to get
these guys to Finland before they'll gain the super star
status... You can download all the tracks from their
web site at: www.depressiveart.com.
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SUN ZOOM SPARK
Transmissions from Satellites Volume One
SlowBurn Records (SBR 026)
This is a rather interesting project... Steve Goetz and Eric Johnson
from Arizona-based Sun Zoom Spark jammed together on bass and drums,
and recorded several hours of this improvisation. Afterwards, they
both edited and added to the basic tracks what they felt like on their
own, and both of these versions will be released on CD. This first
part is Eric's version. He has added some guitars, flute, moog,
percussions and even a bit of vocals to the tracks. The almost
wholly instrumental Volume One is full of nice, psychedelic
free form rock jam, and as usual, it has its good and bad moments.
What comes to the sound, the album is a bit on the lo-fi side,
but still sounds good, possibly due to a great mastering job.
This almost 70 minutes long album has 16 tracks on it, ranging
from little over one minute to over seven minutes in length.
At times the guys go rather wild, but there are also some softer
moments. E-bow guitar and moog create a nice atmosphere. Eric
had a feeling that my musical tastes would run in the more
hi-tech or produced side of things, but I must admit, that
I also like this raw four-track stuff. Eric things, that
sometimes the more primitive something sounds the more
evocative it becomes. And there is some truth in this.
Anyway, this psych jam album is an interesting exploration
of sound! I'm also looking forward to hear, what Steve has
done with the same basic material... slowburnrecords.net.
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THE TELESCOPES
Premonitions 1989 - 91
Midsummer Madness Records (mmcd09)
This is a compilation by the legendary UK band called The Telescopes.
The group is now back together and they are releasing music again.
This Brasilian (!) collection compiles material from the early days
of the band's recording career. The band really rocks and the guitars
scream. The first five tracks are more like guitar rock inspired by
punk and new wave, but from the sixth track "To Kill a Slow Girl Walking"
onwards the whole thing transforms into psychedelia. The aforementioned,
pretty fast song reminds me of Loop, as does the following "Forever Now".
Some of the songs could well be from Sun Dial's Reflecter album, like
"Precious Little", the awesome "Everso" making good use of tremolo and
"Sleepwalker". They go quite close to psych pop with fine tracks "Celeste"
and "Flying", the latter featuring also acoustic guitar, organ and banjo,
and being a very airy affair as the title implies. The album is ended
with the peaceful acoustic number "Splashdown". Possibly the best track
on the CD is an EP version of a track "High on Fire" that is really
psychedelic and also features some oriental moods. I must say that
I enjoy this compilation very much, and I can recommend this to anyone
into rock with a lot of guitars like Loop, Primal Scream and My Bloody
Valentine. Those who speak Spanish can check out the group's history at
www.mmrecords.com.br/telescopes.htm. Stephen, the leader of the
band also has his own record company www.antennarecords.com.
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CIRCLE
Guillotine
Ektro Records (EKTRO-024)
The Pori boys were able to surprise me again. Their latest
album includes a lot of really freaky noise, and it would
be a bit dubious to call it music. So, this time they go
to the extremely experimental side. This style is presented
with tracks "Harva maa", "Päätön mies", "Ojaa pitkin",
"Majakkasaari", "Syvä", "Salar Opi", "Armo" and "Takaisin".
Some of these work very well creating a surreal, very weird feel.
They have also used some slowed down bits of conversation
and other samples. Some of these tracks do seem a bit unnecessary,
but maybe they will open later on... There are three, long tracks'
worth of more traditional Circle MUSIC on the CD. The more odd
pieces are so sort, that about half of the album's length (75:24)
is devoted to the actual music. I'm glad, since the first track
"Metsän henget" is an excellent track, beginning rather easy but
getting a bit heavier in the middle. I can easily see the spirits
of the forest dancing in the morning dew. "Teräskylpy" is a hypnotic
and monotonic track with funny whispers and wheezes, where one riff
is repeated ad infinitum. The best thing on the album is "Alta rautalampien",
featuring beautiful Fender Rhodes work and great lyrics. Amazing!
There is not a trace of the heavy metal gear presented on Sunrise album,
and not really any folk influences, either. At the moment I feel that
this might be the most difficult Circle album as yet, but this has to
be taken as a challenge! We'll see what the chaps will come up with
next... www.ektrorecords.com.
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CENSUS OF HALLUCINATION
The 8th Dwarf
Stone Premonitions (SPCD-039)
Census of Hallucinations from England keeps up the pretty continuous
stream of new albums on their own Stone Premonitions label. Eight albums
and one compilation in only three years! I can't really compare this one
to their previous output, since I don't have it. The main figures in the
band are Terri-B (vocals) and Tim Jones (vocals and guitars). Dave Pipkin
does the drum programming, Dave McLean plays 5 string bass and Paddi,
who is apparently from New Zealand, is responsible for acoustic and
slide guitars, drums, programming etc. In addition, Cousin Silas and
The Reverend Rabbit make guest appearances. The Eighth Dwarf is, all
in all, a very pleasant to listen to. The vocals of Terri and Tim work
well together. The production is superb, and so the sound is very good.
I like Tim's guitar work a lot. This is psychedelic rock, without question,
but not so much in the explode-your-brains style, but more on the tranquil,
uplifting and relaxing side. There are a lot of short, weird interludes
including strange narration among the 18 tracks of the CD. There is a certain
New Age feel to be found from time to time. You can also find some Gong-styled
humour on it, which has a refreshing effect. The lyrics are rather political,
philosophical or just totally of the wall. The last, hidden track is a funny
joke about the guitarist... As usually, the programmed drums annoy me a bit
at times, but not that much. Psych and prog heads should absolutely check
this album out! There are some MP3's available from all of the band's
albums on their web site at aural-innovations.com/stonepremonitions/bands/
coh/albums.html.
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PLAINFADE
Datura CD - single
This is the first official release by Plainfade from Tampere. Prior to this,
they have released two demos. There's still a bit of the group's
alternative metal background left, but this is definitely post rock now.
I'm glad, because this single works. The Pori based Magyar Posse might be
the closest relative from Finland. Plainfade do also have a singer, and at
times they give some a bit Tool-like heavy guitar playing. The music is
cold in a beautiful way and sad. I'm a bit reminded also by Porcupine Tree
and the more progressive Opeth, which of course cannot be a bad thing.
The opener of the single, "Trial Balloon", is a pretty and tender piece
suitable for soundtrack to some art movie, also featuring some piano.
Quite progressive stuff, but very hypnotic at the same time. Very nice song.
Then follows the title track "Datura" that, as the name suggests, is
somewhat more hallucinatory. It includes some backward tracks and other
goodies, yes! The vivid song is rather peaceful and relaxed, as well.
This is an interesting little release, which makes me looking forward
for their full-length sometime next year. Let's also try to fit the
band into the Psychotropic Zone schedule soon enough. www.plainfade.com.
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