PSYCHONAUT

After the wild trip that was 'Cottonwoodhill' Brainticket basically dissolved, but keyboard player Joel Vandroogenbroeck gathered an entirely different line-up around him, settling for a more song-oriented approach for the second album. I find it quite an improvement actually.

The album is very short but it doesn't waste a minute, much unlike the out-there extravaganza of the first album. One thing remained the same and that's Joel's fascination for 60's psychedelicca, many of the songs recall either the Beatles, the Stones, Pink Floyd or 60's acid folk acts. It always comes with a prominent role for the vocals, flutes, organ and percussive drumming. The songs are very diverse and generally excellent, only 'Like A Place in the Sun' features - just like it's title - a couple of cheesy vocals, the instrumental part is fun though.

The band is placed under Kraut but this album is far more accessible then the average Kraut album. There's a certain weirdness to it, but hailing from 1972, this is a fairly tame and accessible acid rock with catchy songs and melodic instrumentation. 3.5 stars.