Seattle has many fine bands, and The New Cardinals are a welcome addition not only to the Northwest music scene but to the psychedelic spectrum as well. The band is the duo of Sam Rice (bass, keyboards, vocals, percussion, effects) and Peter Tilton (guitar/vocals). This is chiming jangle pop with a slight melancholy edge.
Witness it for yourself on the fabulous “Window Days”, which seems to channel Brian Wilson as well as modern artists such as Tame Impala. “Let’s Talk” surfs a prog vibe with its cool organ, perky synths, and great harmonies, all washed with a hazy psych sheen. “Hidden In the Light” revels in late 60s/early 70s pop, while the album’s closing track, the lush “Tomorrow Waiting” takes its time sucking you into its widescreen marrow, and after seven meandering minutes, leaves you completely blissed out and wanting more.
This is a treat for all fans of delicately crafted psychedelia with a late 60s sensibility.
Available as a free / name your price download here:
Initially a soul outfit (what else could they have started as with that name?), Welsh six-piece Eyes of Blue escaped an unhappy time on the Deram label, signing to Mercury just as they'd discovered the sounds of the US West Coast, amalgamating those influences with some much closer to home - UK psych -pop and the nascent proto-prog of the Moody Blues. In the process they became one of the very first groups to play what was becoming known as progressive rock. "The guys from Yes would come along to our gigs, stand at the back and make notes" says drummer John Weathers in all seriousness.
They made two LPs for Mercury, both of which have just been freshly reissued on CD by Esoteric Recordings, who are developing a peerless catalogue of UK progressive classics from lesser known names.
Debut "Crossroads of Time" starts off with a bang, with the percussive Graham Bond penned title track being something of an epic, but rather than frontloading the album, it acts as a sampler of the scope of what follows. Recorded in 1968 and released early the following year, there's still plenty of psychedelia to be found amongst the more progressive elements here - particularly the startling, Eastern guitar breaks of "Prodigal Son" - as well as cleverer-than-most vocal arrangements (put to great use on an inventive cover of the Beatles' "Yesterday"), and heaps of Hammond organ. Memorable songs too, and an excellent debut all around, which often reminds me of what a Welsh-born Spirit would have sounded like.
Later on that same year, the band's second album "In Fields of Ardath" appeared, a much more experimental and progressive album, with the band's growing confidence leading them to take a greater degree of control in the mixing room, as well as a more collaborative approach to the songwriting. "After The War" and "Door (The Child That is Born on the Sabbath Day)" are a step in a heavier direction, with doom-laden passages which ought to appeal to fans of occult-rockers like Black Widow. Elsewhere there's a lightness of touch on the bewitching wordless vocals and sumptuous jazz chordings of "Extra Hour" which show the bands willingness to stretch themselves in more than one direction, creating an impressive, visionary opus in the process.
It's a great swansong for the band, assuming one ignores the underwhelming followup as Big Sleep in 1971, which would be generally for the best.
All you need to know about the band is contained within these two splendid vessels, and as we've come to expect, Esoteric's new editions are definitive, with an excellent remastering job and thorough, informative liner-notes. My highest recommendation.
Dodson And Fogg, essentially the project of mainman Chris Wade with a cast of colourful and talented contributors, returns with 'Roaming', the band's ninth album (or tenth counting last year's superb joint Chris Wade / Sand Snowman release 'Tell The Trees It's Autumn Again'). This fine collection of psych jewels offers yet more of the song writing nous, wit, quirks and genius that Wade instils in every one of his recordings from Dodson to his work with Rainsmoke and Rexford Bedlo. For a while criminally underrated, Wade and Dodson’s star now seems to be on the ascent and this album can only serve to draw more, much deserved attention.
The album opens with the title track, a determined sounding acoustic guitar giving way to Wade's glorious vocal harmonies to create the dual uplifting/melancholy essence of Dodson And Fogg. A uke solo lifts the song to a higher plain and there is a wide-screen, journeying ambiance that is almost tangible (and reminds this listener of the Fleet Foxes epic 'Helplessness Blues'). Continuing with the sense of being transported forwards into an ever increasing horizon, 'I Could Tell You The World Is yours' is a wickedly contagious and propellant track that combines distorted fuzz guitars with whip fast acoustic arpeggios and Wade's almost deadpan yet hugely emotive delivery. 'For a While' slows the pace, a gorgeous sprinkling of chiming guitars and backing vocals by none other than Nigel Planer (of The Comic Strips presents/ Young Ones fame) framing a wistful piece of perfect psych pop. A darker hue is suggested by 'The Best in Me', ominous minor chords and Celia Humphris's (of acid folk masters Trees) evocative backing vocals. Wade can dip into and evoke a wide range of emotional reactions with his songs with apparent ease, an inflection or turn of phrase turning a deceptively upbeat song into something altogether more nostalgic, sepia tinged or vice versa. 'Book of Rules' is a case in point, ably switching from something Bolanesque and stridently positive to something altogether more mysterious and cosmic with sudden change in gear, a hint of mandolin and some carefully positioned vocal harmonies. Each of these songs is a mini symphony in itself; you have to hear just how in control of his craft Wade is, how on top of his game this modest singer songwriter currently is (and I don't mind repeating again and again, he is by far the country’s leading psych artist). This is not to suggest that these songs are clinical or contrived in any way; quite the opposite, they crackle and burn with creativity and the sheer joy of bringing this music into the world. 'I'm Running Out Of Patience Now' demonstrates this with ease; there are more melodies and ideas in this song that some artists manage in a career.
'Pulling faces' introduces tabla (much of Dodson's output works without the use of drums which gives the music a notable and effective sense of floating and otherworldliness) whilst 'Always Looks Like That' adds some truly beautiful harp and chimes to a song that is pure Canterbury scene in its hazy, English riverside reverie. 'Yesterday Man' is the classic slice of British psychedelia that Damon Albarn has been trying to write for the past 25 years. This is followed by 'Rain Clouds' which takes a leaf out of Village Green Kinks territory with some acid folk flecked flute from Georgia Cooke thrown in for good measure, resulting in an album highlight. 'Roaming 2' begins with the sound of a telephone being answered and a reverberated eerie vocal from Daisy (of Daisy And The Dark) as fellow long-time collaborator Ricky Romain sprinkles some of his essential sitar work across a building and growing sense of solitude and the open road, guitar rumbling and echoing as the tension builds to height after height. The album finishes with 'Silver Bay', an arrival at a destination of sorts with the sound of gulls and waves leading into a reflective and magical acoustic meditation. Written with partner Linzi (who also contributes the stunning sleeve art as she often does with Dodson releases) this is the essence of Dodson distilled; melodic, English psych with a Syd Barrett sense of unease and an undercurrent of rainy day sadness. And then we are left to scratch our heads and wonder how Wade can continually do this; prolific yet with a stringently high sense of quality control, this album of gems simply adds to the riches already stockpiled in Dodson's back catalogue.
This is an essential listen for lovers of classic 60s psych pop, The Kinks, Bolan, Barrett and for those enamoured of beautifully constructed nuggets of psychedelic wonder. I trust this refers to you; if so then it is time to go roaming with Dodson And Fogg.
Available now on CD and download form Wade’s Wisdom Twins website and Bandcamp page.
Moving away from fat beats and distorted guitars, Al Lover expertly combines dub aesthetics with Krautrock's discipline and patience for long hypnotic grooves on his new long player "Zodiak Versions". Some of the songs are reminiscent of Peaking Lights' bending of the idea of dub and electronics, while others remind me of the underground dub music that embraced electronics in the 90s. Regardless, "Zodiak Versions" is a great stereo listen, as time was obviously put into psyching out your mind with stereo imaging. What is also fun to observe is how Al rides a fine line between the genres but always remembers to add in a "psych" riff or groove to balance the spaced out atmosphere and dubbed out drums.
Krautrock and dub are cited as major influences on "Zodiak Versions", and within that you can heap a bunch of electronic beats and sweeping synths. It is interesting to hear a DJ's approach to songwriting balanced against mood-building.
"Kling Klang Soundclash" and "Zodiak Version" start off the album with lots of atmosphere as electronic percussion slides in to tickle your ears with a bit of rhythm. "Studio Einer Dub" adds a complex rhythm as synths lead the charge, building layers of melodies. The track is very "dub" and spaces out at just the right times. "Jah Warble" gives a nod to the bass style of Wobble with some low, low end bass. "Neo Eno" gives a nod to Eno's ambient work, which has influenced half the globe, particularly his idea of space being as important as the melody. It sounds like watching the stars while leaning against your car on a calm night.
"Planetarium Rock" and "Earth People" bring more heavy groove as the beats get tougher while the synths stay chill. "Stockhausen Soundsystem" brings the beat back down but the fuzz creeps in on the synths and gets things moving. "Osbourne Ruddock vs Connie Plank" (best song on the release) hits just the right mix of dubbed out effects and hypnotic beat. The funky organ groove in the background keeps me hitting repeat on this one.
From there the album winds down into more meditative fare and ends on "Kosmiche Music in Dub", with pitch-bent keys that meld together almost like a sitar drone and spaced out snare echoes, until the groove kicks in for a dramatic ending to a diverse release.
Hailing from Greece, Black Lesbian Fishermen are a mysterious collective that count Alan Trench (Orchis, Temple Music), Nikos Fokas, Stratis Sgourelis and Rebecca Loftiss in their number (the latter artist recording as a part of both the excellent Grey Field Recordings and Howling Larsons as well as the being the creator of the 'In The Cities Of Your Eyes' compilation in aid of Syrian and other refugees). The hazy psych of Howling Larsons gives some indication of the sprawling yet beautiful exploratory symphonies contained herein and the atmospheric experimentalism of Grey Field Recordings offers a hint as to the melodic but defiant disdain for boundaries or convention.
Opener 'Lignite Light' is a live take and one which captures the Fishermen in all their resplendent, kosmiche power and beauty. Chiming guitar lines weave lysergically into backwards effects before merging with flute and resonating E-bowed strings in a grandeur that recalls both 'Saucerful of Secrets' era Floyd and the majesty of Japanese psych legends Ghost. The sounds are vast and yet comforting, the sense of a dark yet tranquil solar emptiness above us is eerily present throughout. At ten minutes this track is an epic and bold statement of intent; the Fishermen's stall is firmly and truly set out. 'LIL' begins with queasy dread filled keyboards, gong and percussion, conjuring up a possible soundtrack to an unwritten Alejandro Jodorowsky film. Spoken word vocals intone before ominous bells peal and a cosmic wind gathers pace to be joined by Rebecca Loftiss's flanged vocals. It’s both hugely effective and unsettling, the sound of some extraterrestrial apocalypse. Next, 'Ragged Ritual' enters with a Nico-esque Eastern harmonium, Loftiss's voice echoing alongside esoteric percussion and processionary, regal and solemn keyboard and guitar refrains. Drums and bells appear through the haze as a seriously tripped out voyage of guitar voyage, ever building and ever searching. Reminding this listener both of Popol Vuh and Godspeed You Black Emperor in its precise yet exploratory guitar lines and pervading sense of ever layering and building repetition this is nonetheless an utterly unique recording; the Fishermen conjure sounds from darkness that sound quite unlike anyone or anything else you'll hear. The pace quickens and molten, distorted bursts of lead guitar scream like comets through the sky. It's both exhilarating and utterly hypnotic. Meanwhile, 'White Reptiles', with its angelic choirs and doom filled metallic guitar coasting over a shuffling beat, continually grows in intensity and circles with a sense of unease; a dark pulsar of a song. Loftiss's voice drifts throughout as if in a dream, adding a further hallucinatory edge.
Another extended live take 'All in the Green' is introduced by oscillating analogue keyboards and a strident bass line. Shimmering strings and chimes blanket the song as it begins its strange exodus to the stars. Bursts of fiery and incendiary guitar interjects as an otherworldly organ journeys further and further outwards into the void. The album finishes with 'Ice', an unearthly crackling and haunting siren beginning the song as bells toll and a slow, stately drumbeat and bassline emerges. As vintage synth sounds wail and tear across the canvas, a proclamatory voice talks of 'ancient skies' and the effect is virtually hypnagogic; it feels like you are dreaming this music.
The band members have an impressive history and catalogue with their other projects, however Black Lesbian Fishermen stand in their own right as a mindblowingly impressive psych band that firmly command their own distinctive and transportive sound. For fans of 'Warrior on the Edge of Time/ Hall of the Mountain Grill' period Hawkwind, the afore mentioned Popol Vuh as well as kosmiche artists such as Sand and Amon Duul, this is a must. Seek this album out, lie back, close your eyes and drift off into the most unsettling yet beautiful dream you may ever have.
Available now via the artist’s Bandcamp page and as a very limited CD edition (there are very few remaining so please email dagbert58@gmail.com first to check availability).
Swedish psychedelic band Peacock Farm (whose debut EP impressed the hell out of me in 2014) recently went to Nacksving Gussjö Studios in the dark forrest of
Västmanland, Sweden, to record a live session.
It was recorded by Marcus
Cederlöf and filmed by Adam Toner and resulted in a short live film
called We didn't catch you in watercolor, including four previously unreleased tracks.
It's a lovely document which you can check out here - set receptors to stunned!
The Heartwood Institute (aka Jonathan Sharp) has been at it for a little while now and unlike some of his contemporaries he remains on the upgrade. This is due in no small part to his constant redrawing of his own boundaries and willingness to venture beyond the sometimes rigid diktats of many of the hauntologists operating at present.
“The Wild Hunt of Hagworthy” is his second official crack at interpreting the work of celebrated novelist Penelope Lively, the title cribbed directly from her third novel published in 1971. His last release “Astercote” (which you can read about here) meted out similar treatment to her first book (1970) in a highly entertaining way. As with the previous reimagining project, Sharp has a stated intent to “to create a soundtrack as it might have sounded at the time of the original publication.” I am pleased to report that it is mission accomplished on this latest outing and that there is an increased degree of sophistication and widening of the sonic palate in this latest venture that really pays off as The Heartwood Institute have delivered a new sonic delight that is a stunning achievement for its creator.
Over the course of its 30 sonic ‘chapters’, “The Wild Hunt of Hagworthy” takes the listener on a journey of instrumentally driven suspense and revelation. It takes the listener on a journey that alternates between the kind of sound pictures that the BBC Radiophonic Workshop would compose to accompany the roster of kids/adults suspense/sci-fi/horror tv that flooded the homes of millions in the 1970’s; takes a few floral segues into Maypole/Morris Dance territory that would make Lord Summerisle himself believe the apples would grow this year without recourse to ritual slaughter; via a few kraut-y drones and a bagful of Boards of Canada inspired gently disturbing electronica. This keeps the listener always slightly off-balance and each piece is rarely long enough to ever begin to wear out its welcome. Sequencing is critical to these types of ventures and here it is expertly handled to create a story in sound that has coherence and a wordless narrative that breathes and speaks to the active listener. At its denouement you a have a remarkable sense of satisfaction that you have been on a worthy trip and are left pondering what the next adventure will bring to the table.
With this release Sharp has transcended his roots and moved up a level; developing a hybrid that does not cosily sit in one genre but pinches liberally from many to serve up an intriguingly complex and restless world that I am sure does the source material much service. I am off to find a copy of the book now. Don’t wait up, I may be gone for some time.
Available right now from The Heartwood Institute bandcamp on download.
Since their formation in 2014, Netherlands based PAUW has been in high festival demand, playing everything from the Liverpool Psych Fest, VOID Fest, Lisbon Psych Fest, and PLAY as well as opening for Temples, Elephant Stone, and Kasabian. Like Elephant Stone, PAUW is putting out positive, upbeat psych, but it’s clear from first listen how they’ve managed to climb so quickly. So in late 2015, the band offered up their studio debut, “Macrocosm Microcosm,” and it’s proven worth the wait. For a relatively young band, PAUW is impressively tight and dynamic, and “Macrocosm Microcosm” is flush with layers upon layers of prog-infused psych. They sound like they’ve been playing together since their influences reigned – namely late ‘60s and early ‘70s. Of course, they picked up a few modern trends, channeling vocally dream pop airiness and falling into heavy fills.
Upon first listen, I was struck most by the positive vibes that PAUW puts out there; despite the sometimes baroque passages, PAUW is incredibly upbeat, even lyrically. Perhaps, it’s more a reflection of my usual listening, but the overall attitude is refreshing and infectious. Standout track, “Today Never Ends,” grooves around a lush progression and wandering synth line, complete with snappy rhythm-work and chimes. All of which ebbs nicely toward “Visions,” which showcases the band’s ability to create interesting and catchy songs, a skill, especially here, akin to their former tour mates Elephant Stone.
“Abyss” is a bit of the shift for the album; the six-minute song takes its time to build and, arguably, continues to build throughout the first verse. While still propulsive in its rhythms – notably, the bass carries everything here – “Abyss” is more inclined to minor resolutions, as opposed the distinctly major-sounding tracks surrounding it. Toward the end of the album, it’s a welcome reminder that PAUW is not a one-trick act.
For vinyl or digital copies, there are a few links from the band directly for EU buyers. As for the US or elsewhere, check good record shops – or Amazon at a pinch. And if you’re in or near the Netherlands in the coming months, they’re playing several shows; see them!
You've been waiting a little longer than usual, but we're confident that you'll think it's been worth the wait for our latest sampler. It's our first (and hopefully not last) to feature artwork by the very talented Nick Taylor. You should all check out his other works here.
As always, you're welcome to download and stream for free, or make a small Paypal donation to show your support for what we do - these are put towards our running costs.
This month we're featuring the following stellar tracks:
1.
Kontiki Suite - My Own Little World 04:28
2.
Gareth Davies - Slumbering Green 03:14
3.
Wax Machine - Watermelon 02:38
4.
The Most - Gatecrashers 02:29
5.
Peter Stringer-Hye - Throw Away The Day 04:19
6.
Juleah - Sommertraum 05:16
7.
Exiles - Search Lights 03:20
8.
Klaus Johann Grobe - Baby lass uns sein 04:35
9.
Lejonsläktet - Den Enda Historien II 09:20
10.
Jack Ellister - A Hunter Needs a Gun 05:57
11.
Kosmo-0 - Just Let Go 05:40
12.
Red Cosmos - Ode To A Beatnik 04:17
13.
Royal Atlas - Lost Landlords 02:26
14.
Das Raumpiloten - La Situation Dangereuse 07:19
15.
Merrin - Outro (End Credits) 05:39
Swedish duo Lejonsläktet first came to our attention with their Trouble in Mind 7" "Väderkvarn", although they've been recording together since 2008, with their quirky psych-pop / acid-folk debut "In och ut" also freely downloadable on their Soundcloud page. But before you head off there, you should really check out their most recent EP which is really the place to start.
"Den Enda Historien" was recorded especially for the opening ceremony of the 2015 Urkult festival in Näsåker, Sweden, and is also available as a free download, although it's begging for a physical release.
Where earlier releases have been characterised by the duo's fragile Swedish-language vocals, the three tracks that make up "Den Enda Historien" comprise an instrumental suite of sweeping kosmische, designed to be listened to in wide-eyed wonder. Solar winds are effortlessly summoned by waves of vintage synths, while sequencers emulate the twinkling of stars in a way that conjure half-forgotten, nostalgic images of shoddy spacecraft from 1970s BBC productions.
The ambient Radiophonic washes of the first track give way to a propulsive Krautrock groove for the EP's main section, before those stars are reawakened for the closer's hypnotic calm.
It's a lovely, short EP, brimming with ideas, and a perfectly executed example of a lot of the things that we LOVE about the seventies here at the Active Listener. Aperfect synthesis of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, vintage Krautrock and "Force Majeure" era Tangerine Dream, without ever sounding like it's borrowing too heavily from any one source. Wonderful.
