Music
Book Review: The Ballad of Jethro Tull
Despite being one of the biggest acts of the 70s, Jethro Tull are not a band that have ever enjoyed career reassessment and rehabilitation by subsequent generations. Sure, they have enjoyed steady sales to this day, and there has even been a string of hefty box set reissues which have seen their classic albums remastered …
Classic Compilation: Clifford T Ward – Gaye and Other Stories
The aging process is a strange thing and effects us all in different ways. Some of us barely notice it, there are those that do all they can to hold back the ravages of time, and there are those that accept it with a wry smile and open arms. There was a time when the …
Say Psych: Premiere: 10000 Russos – Kompromat
Portuguese trio 10000 Russos are an incendiary, galvanising presence in the European Psych underworld; something that’s impossible to shake after you first catch their notoriously all-consuming live show or drop the needle on that LP for the first time. Seven years on from their inception and the Porto-based outfit now release their third full-length, Kompromat, …
Say Psych: Track: The Cult of Free Love / Magic Seas Split
Two unique entities have teamed up to offer a split single like no other. The Cult of Free Love from North Wales and Magic Seas from Chelmsford offer up two tracks a piece on this offering which is certain to enchant audiences. This 12” is the first release for The Cult of Free Love since …
Say Psych: Album Review: Rosa Maria – Here She Comes
Third Eye Stimuli Records are creating quite a stir on the other side of the equator due to their recent run of high quality psychedelic offerings, and their newest addition to their envious back catalogue is no exception. Rosa Maria are known for their authentic surf hooks and dancey grooves and the Sydney based group …
Say Psych: News: Elephant Stone Announce New LP and Tour
Montreal outfit Elephant Stone have today announced the details of their forthcoming sixth album Hollow and are now sharing the lead single and album-opener, ‘Hollow World’. Set for release on 14 February 2020 on Fuzz Club Records and front-man and sitarist Rishi Dhir’s own imprint Elephants On Parade, the new record arrives following their Burger Records-released 2016 LP, Ship Of …
Say Psych: Album Review: Julie’s Haircut – In The Silence Electric
In The Silence Electric is the latest LP from Italy’s Julie’s Haircut, recently released on Rocket Recordings. The band with a quarter of a century history are notable for their deft balance between hypnotic radiance and otherworldly intensity. The artwork comes from German avant-garde feminist Annegret Soltau and its striking aura works perfectly alongside the …
Album Review: Bang Bang Romeo – A Heartbreaker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Bang Bang Romeo’s debut album is a genuinely difficult one for me to review. When I first unexpectedly encountered them back in March 2014 tearing up the stage of The Leadmill mid-way down a card of mixed ability local talent, Bang Bang Romeo were a thrillingly raw four piece that were still exploring the parameters …
Not Forgotten: Creedence Clearwater Revival – Willie and The Poor Boys
For years I unfairly dismissed Willie and the Poor Boys as one of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s weakest albums. I can’t explain why this was the case, as it came smack bang in the middle of the band’s red-hot streak through 1969 to 1971. Perhaps it was the slightly rootsier rocking which I reacted against, as if CCR decided …
Not Forgotten: Sparks – Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins
Sparks were in a weird position in the mid 90s. Once one of the most subversively inspirational acts, by the time Gratuitous Sax and Senseless Violins was released, The Mael Brothers has been overtaken both commercially and artistically by some of the very acts that they had inspired, most obviously Pet Shop Boys. From it’s sphincter tighteningly bad …