MOOG DROOG

MOOG DROOG is the second EP released by SUPER FURRY ANIMALS. As with the first "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyndrobwllantysiliogogogochynygofod (in space) E.P." it was released on the independent Ankst records which would be their last before signing on to Creation to debut their first full album "Fuzzy Logic." The title is a Welsh phrase that means "bad smoke" which is slang for marijuana. This is neo-psychedelia after all! As with their debut MOOG DROOG has also been released with two artistic album covers ironically the same as the first EP only with different coloration. This one has the prettier colors of the stick man sweeping dirt under a carpet with other beings rising from the dust. The oranges and purples and futuristic pixilations make for quite the trippy and eye-catching artistic statement. There is also a rare 7" Vinyl release that has a neon orange smiley face on a bright blue background with Mickey Mouse ears and SFA eyes. Not nearly as cool, but strange.

EP number two is another short but sweet release that has a running time of 15:11. These two first EP releases are very punk in that regard and reminds me of art punkers like the Minutemen in their stream of super short EPs. The music on MOOG DROOG is less grungy than the debut and enters more into psychedelic pop territory with moments reminding me of the late 60s Beatles ("PamV")and at times reminding me of the myriad indie pop and rock bands of the 90s including The Flaming Lips, Of Montreal or even Mercury Rev. The electronic embellishments have really entered the sound now and have usurped the harshness of the guitars. The lyrics are in both Welsh and starting with their first single "God! Show Me The Magic" in English as well.

MOOG DROOG shows SFA sallying forth into their ever expanding adventurous experimentation while keeping the songs and the hooks ever so accessible as to reel you in instantly. The first two EPs have become collector's items due to their scarcity but are very good supplementation to your SFA discography since the music on this is well worth hearing for any fans of neo- psychedelic pop and indie rock. Although the songs are more pop oriented and less adventurous as their next full album releases they still show quite a strong development towards their own unique sound. 3.5 rounded down