PSYCHEDELIC TEATIME

MARGIN is a new band out of Berlin, Germany and it's the project of multi-instrumentalist Lutz Meinert. We do get Carola singing background vocals on two tracks along with Arne playing acoustic guitar on two tracks, but make no mistake Lutz does it all here. He wrote all the lyrics along with the music and arranged, produced, recorded and mixed this album, also it's his paintings that grace the front and back of this album cover. Oh to have just a little bit of that talent(haha).

Things get started with the five part suite called "A Mysterious Cup Of Tea" which clocks in at around 23 1/2 minutes. I really enjoy Part 1 which might be my favourite piece on the whole record. The guitar cries out in the background as liquid sounding keys are tastefully played. It's all so relaxed and laid back. The drums join in and the guitar becomes more prominant as this plays out. The organ becomes the focus about half-way through. Great start! Part 2 is where we get vocals for the first time and he really reminds me of Phideaux, at least the tone of his vocals. I read Matti's review and he's right, the singing does also sound like the guy from THE PET SHOP BOYS. Without question the vocals are the biggest negative on the album. They just don't suit the music and I guess that's just me 'cause i'm thinking Phideaux when he sings and I just don't enjoy them at all. The music continues to be excellent though as this part is also very relaxed with lots of acoustic guitar. Part 3 impresses me because of the prominant bass mostly. Again it's mellow and laid back for the most part, although the guitar is more on the attack here than the previous songs. Part 4 sounds a lot like Part 2 because of the vocals mostly and acoustic guitar although it gets dramatic late and this continues in Part 5. Hey some mellotron samples on this one too.

"Psychedelic Underground-The Short" really reminds me of PORCUPINE TREE's "Linton Samuel Dawson" from "On The Sunday Of Life". It's okay. "Landscapes On The Sky" is another okay vocal track. I must admit I really like the instrumentals a lot more than the vocal songs. "Last Exit To Pluto" starts off in a haunting manner which is very welcomed by yours truley. I just think ideas are so important with Psychedelic music. Some nice bass and piano lines follow before it kicks into a fuller sound before 3 minutes. It settles back again with the bass and piano standing out as themes are repeated. I like the organ later on and the mellotron after that. Excellent track. "Psychedelic Underground-The Long" has some cool sounding atmosphere early on then the Gilmour-like guitar arrives soaring away. Organ takes the spotlight around 3 minutes in. Just a great tune to finish the album with.

PINK FLOYD certainly is mentioned a lot in the little blurb the band released and you'll hear the phrase "Saucerful of secrets" mentioned on two tracks, but in my opinion this sounds more like eighties FLOYD which is fine, I just prefer PINK FLOYD's earlier stuff that had lots of ideas, atmosphere and experimentation. This is modern sounding psychedelia in my opinion. Still, if this was all instrumental I might have pulled the trigger on 4 stars. Good album and 3 stars fits the music.