Strangers In A Strange Land‘s new single Poison Chalice follows in the footsteps of Arthur Lee and their psychedelic forefathers. A worthy addition to legendary producer Shel Talmy’s credits.
Paul Roland unearths lost LP Lair of the White Worm aided by German musicians Nico Steckelberg and Joran Elane. With Paul’s trademark gothic sound tied to his acoustic guitar, the lyrics dart from Bram Stoker in the title track, the London plague in ‘Year of the Harlot, Year of the Whore’ and fantasy – an unlying theme throughout. With all the Roland hallmarks it’s a wonder that the music of ‘Lair of the White Worm’ languished in the vaults before being exhumed.
The Wax Monster Lives Behind the First Row of Trees EP is another ambitious release from Moon Goose, an album that straddles prog and psychedelia, darkness and light, highlighted by lead track 10,000 Đồng. For those who like epic jam and drone it’s available in all good formats.
In a similar vein is The Superstars Metamorphosis, a track that’s a dead ringer for a lost 1970 Italian prog cult classic. Even more impressive is that’s it’s new!
Fuchsia pay tribute to Syd Barrett with the Barrett’s Allsorts 7 inch. Tony Durant presents new recreations of See Emily Play and Bike that tie the Fuchsia sound to Pink Floyd. A release that dizzyingly looks forwards and back. Marvellous.
Power trio Icarus Peel’s Acid Reign‘s new album Shallow Oceans ventures further than seas navigated by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream and Taste. With the trio moving from harder (Divided) and lighter shades (Snakes) throughout, the title track inverts space rock into deep ocean rock.
The White Kites have been producing some of the best psychedelic pop of the last decade. The Warsaw based band draw echo music hall and early Bowie in one infectious brew with new LP Devillusion is no exception. With gorgeous production and witty lyrics, pop-psych fans salute you.
It’s Karma It’s Cool‘s latest video ‘Battle Of Burnt Out Bliss’, a requiem for today’s society, highlights the strong emotive pull of album Woke Up In Hollywood.
Novelty Island‘s Suddenly On Sea EP is helmed by cult songwriter Thomas McConnell. The project retains all his Beatlesque songwriting hallmarks sprinkled with humour and melancholia.
The Mariners’ debut album The Tides Of Time takes us back to The Yardbirds, The Hollies with a dash of the Mersey sound. Charming songs that linger long.
Got Da Hee Bee Gee Bees (at CBGBs) is the latest single by Smash Fashion. With the band’s trademark infectious hard glam tied to an infectious riff, this is another winner from Roger Deering and gang.
Another interstellar single is Two Tickets To The Moon by Trolley. With blazing tremelo laden guitar and pop hooks this is music escapism at its best.
Blang Records celebrate 15 years of music with brand new compilation Scratchcard, featuring outsiders Tav Falco, Brix and the Extricated, David Cronenberg’s Wife, Milk Kan, Sergeant Buzfuz, Filthy Pedro, Sterling Roswell and Jack Medley’s Secure Men.
Dan O’Farrell & The Difference Engine‘s third album Richard Scarry Lied To Me is the band’s first collaboration with producer Andy Lewis. A positive warm collection of material, typified by the indie pop of ‘Slow Magic’ (REM meets Belle and Sebastian) and underlined by ‘I Am Afraid’.
Seattle-based Lomon‘s latest track Escape Velocity covers the struggle to overcome addiction in a dreamy psych wash. Hope builds as the song progresses bringing an anthemic twist.
The compulsive punk of Last Day In L.A by Healthy Junkies recalls touring and the thrill of the rock lifestyle.
Black Foxxes self-titled third studio album is trailed by Badlands. Singer/songwriter Mark Holley marks out an ambitious rock palette with the fractured lyrics fitting for the times we’re living in.
Novelty Island!….YEAH!