OBSOLETE

Is this a long lost pre Gong Gong album? Well only if you think that a band acting as the backing band for an artist and doing what the named artist asks of you (the best example I can offer is The Groundhogs when they backed John Lee Hooker...great JLH album...but not a Groundhogs album) is, then ok. I'm not convinced. I know people will say 'but DH wasn't a musician as such' ...fair point...but neither was Beefheart yet he directed his band/s to do it exactly the way he wanted it done. Having said all that, is this a good album? Oh very much so yes...and I promise not to get hung up on the backing band.

It is again one of the few albums I have in both formats as my original vinyl has 'seen better days'. I would recommend the remastered version of the CD....I think they did a limited LP run too....pops and hisses aside of my original, the sound is much much better.

And click play: Yup it is in the right category. This is as psych/space rock as a very very psych/space rock thing. What reference point would you use if you didn't know the musicians? You may get to mentioning Gong, but by no means first and foremost. We can only imagine what DH thought was the best soundscape for his lyrics/voice/spoken to be enhanced or represented by but this does fit well. I would question his state of mind/drug/s of choice if anyone thought Fille de L'Ombre works . And this from a guy (me) who has a near full Acid Mothers Temple catalogue! Sometimes noise is just noise... Being a Meanderthal kind of person I am a big fan of the 21 min Cielo Drive with its wanderings and seeking of the most interesting paths to get to its destination. DH 's vocals are close to a French crossover pop/chanson guy of the day called Michel Polnareff which is a bit of a juxtaposition. It may be intentional or accidental. We will never know.

Anyhow I shall cease meandering. If I want Gong I reach for Gong, not this. But I will reach for this on its own merits.

Well over 4 stars but a 5 would be a tight fit by the PA criteria.