SUN DIAL

We get mellotron on four tracks including on that closer called "Reflections" which is a very BEATLES-like tune, and a top three track for me. Add "Supernatural Man" to that top three, and yes there's mellotron here as well. Lastly "Open Your Eyes" rounds out my top three and it has that grinding guitar and a heavy groove to it. I also want to mention "You're Still Wondering" that opener that has a PORCUPINE TREE vibe to it. It's just outside of my favourites, and really this one along with the other five tracks I haven't mentioned are very hit and miss.

I do think this is a worthy comeback album. It checks that 60's vibe that Ramon is into. And while I feel that this recording is just outside my top three records from SUN DIAL, I also feel like it's the best of the rest. Well worth checking out.

I consider myself a huge fan of Psychedelia, and for SUN DIAL to have no less than three studio albums in my "best of" Psychedelic list is impressive. Those include that 1990 debut "Other Way Out", plus his 1993 record "Return Journey", and my favourite from 2016 "Made In The Machine". I have half of his studio albums, and have given the other three records 3 stars including the one I'm reviewing today "Acid Yantra" from 1995. That year would prove significant for Ramon releasing not only this studio album but his first live record called "Live Drug".

Gary would then go on an extended hiatus as far as his own music goes and focus on other people's albums in his own studio before returning with "Zen For Sale" in 2003, eight years later! I feel that comeback album is better than this one, more inspired, although I am in the minority with those feelings. The biggest difference for me between "Acid Yantra" and the previous one "Return Journey" is that they have really slowed things down here, filling the album with distorted guitar expressions. Like I said, just not inspired in my opinion. I miss the energy of that previous record.

There's mellotron on a couple of tracks including mellotron flutes on the closer "Yantra Jam". "3,000 Miles Away" is my favourite. And it starts out spacey before reserved vocals, strummed guitar, bass and drums take over. A lot of attitude on "Bad Drug" not so surprisingly, especially with the vocals. "Fly Into The Sun" is another highlight with that relaxed guitar and percussion before it builds with distorted guitar and vocals leading. This is a good album, but it's hard not to compare it to his best, and I feel this doesn't measure up to those. A break was probably due anyways as Ramon had released five studio albums and a live one all in the first half of the 90's before that break.

"Regenerator" might be my favourite with those opening electronics as a haunting atmosphere rolls in with bass , vibes and more. Such a cool sounding piece. It turns heavier before 2 minutes as the guitar arrives. Nice. Vocals cry out before 4 minutes. What a track! I love "Dark Planet" as well and it opens with spacey sounds as it turns dark. Drums join in at a minute. So good with the headphones as there's so much going on. They amp it up some after 3 minutes as it speeds up. "The Gates Of Eden" has those upfront vibes, drums and keyboards as mono-toned vocals join in. Sort of mid-paced that reminds me of a band who's name evades me right now.

"In The Machine" is all about the electronics as drums join in. Head bobbing time. Vibes around 1 1/2 minutes as the drums back off but not for long. Love this stuff. "Autopilot" seems to be just that as we get sitar, keys, beats and atmosphere on repeat. "Eclipse" is very spacey with guitar echoing away as vibes and spacey winds come and go. "Aurora" is an uptempo churning and swirling piece. Space Rock right here. "Spacedust" is one of my favourites with that countdown from NASA opening it as we get fast paced organ, synths and beats. Great track. Lastly "Contact" has to be mentioned. Another favourite. Fake beats, synths and a guitar melody on repeat and more. Just a pleasure this one. Vibes too of course.

A bit of a surprise being this was released in 2016 and my other two favourite albums by SUN DIAL were in the 90's.

He's brought in a violinist, drummer and bass player while he adds guitar, mellotron on one track, mini-moog, organ and vocals. Side one is called "Yellow Side" while side two is called "Blue Side". You can't get this info anywhere else(haha). "Mountain Of Fire And Glass" is quite the epic title and to my ears this is Krautrock but I just haven't warmed up to it like I thought I would. Melancholy and vocals that mumble along. Some cool guitar expressions when the vocals step aside and later the guitar echoes. A dark and melancholic piece that suddenly brightens before 8 minutes but it's too late.

"Radiation" is the only track with mellotron along with lots of intricate sounds. Drums eventually kick in. It's more powerful after 4 minutes then calms down late. "Burned In" is static, organ, samples, synths and more and under 2 minutes. The title track begins side two and it's intense right from the hop as it gets louder and this is uptempo. Very repetitive but I much prefer this to the opener. "Last Rays Of The Sun" is a 4 minute tune where the guitar stands out. Mellow with some brief Post rock sounds.

The closer "In Every Dream Home A Heartache" just blows up everything else on here. And that is reflective of my rating as well when the best track bar none is a cover. And a ROXY MUSIC cover from the great "For Your Pleasure" album. Amazing job done by Ramon on this and when it kicks in it kicks in. So good. Riffs hit us hard.

So a very well done album that some rate very highly. That first track has negative vibes for me so not a good start but that's just me. Well worth checking out for you Neo Psychedelia fans.

You may like to disappear into some relaxed and dreamy space stuff from time to time? Then you're on the right track here. A vintage kraut and psychedelic pop appeal is evident all over. Electronics are dominating, including drums and bass, in most cases at least. But this is also nicely spiked with organ, mellotron, acoustic guitar and sitar now and then. Ramon harmonizes krautish hypnotic beats and catchy melodies in a remarkable manner. A beneficial addition to the Sulatron Records back catalogue. Available on vinyl or compact disc, on the latter occasion equipped with my personal highlight, the extended version of Hangar 13. 3.5 stars.

"Plains Of Nazca" was the first song I heard from SUN DIAL and I was shocked at how much this sounds like PORCUPINE TREE's "On The Sunday Of Life". I mean even the vocals sound like Wilson. We get organ and more to start in this hazy, psychedelic beauty. A beat and bass joins in as this trips along. Vocals after a minute. This is so good! Just close your eyes and groove to the music. Pulsating organ around 2 1/2 minutes as the vocals step aside. The guitar replaces the organ after 3 minutes, nice bass too as the vocals return. Themes are repeated and I'm glad this plays out for 7 1/2 minutes. Great start!

"Exploding In Your Mind" has down-tuned fuzzed out guitar as bass then drums and vocals join in. Some ripping guitar on this one as it plays out. On the chorus he cries out "Clouds exploding in your mind". "Magic Flight" has strummed guitar and melancholic flute to start as it builds. Bass, drums and manipulated vocals join in this hazy sounding tune. Flute to the fore at 1 1/2 minutes as it builds then the guitar starts to solo. Vocals are back in this tripped out piece of psychedelia. Great sounding flute and guitar with the latter dominating late.

"She's Looking All Around" is a top three song for me along with the opener. Dual guitars, one electric one acoustic as spacey vocals join in around a minute, bass too. This is another drugged out sounding tune and this one trips along for over 9 minutes. Catchy as well. Love that flute around 3 1/2 minutes but the guitar is back leading a minute later. Vocals are back before 6 minutes then the guitar leads again after 8 minutes.

"World Without Time" is coming. My final top three. I like the dual guitars like at the start of the previous track as the vocals join in. Drums, percussion and fuzzed out guitar to the fore around 1 1/2 minutes. Vocals are back with those trippy lyrics. Flute before 3 1/2 minutes then the guitar leads before the vocals return before 5 minutes. "Visitation" is a short tune with spacey vocals, drums, bass and electric guitar. This sounds really good and the guitar is so tripped out. Vocals are back after 2 minutes.

"Other Side" has this catchy pulsating organ as the bass, drums, guitar and vocals join in. You can't help but move to the music here. The guitar solos after 2 minutes then the vocals return. Pulsating organ again before 3 1/2 minutes. "Lorne Blues" ends it with fuzzed out guitar, bass and a beat. Love the guitar here and vocals don't arrive until after 3 minutes.

One of the best from 1990 although it wasn't a great year for adventerous music I'll say that. Still a solid 4 star album that really impressed me. For fans of Syd.