I added this album a few weeks ago, and finally decided to give it a listen tonight. Upon a little closer investigation, this album is an incredibly interesting case. This album was recorded in the late 1960s, but wasn’t released until 1997. The decision was that of the record label, but was never released by MGM Records. This band was another one of the Bosstown sound groups from the Boston area, and the band was quite young in age from what I can tell, being comprised of a group of 17-19 year olds. The description I can find on the internet reminds me a little bit of The Freeborne – both being young Bosstown sound groups at the time of the recording of their albums. I’m excited to check this one out, so with that, I’m going to jump on into the music.
“Prophecies/Morning Blue” starts out immediately with some super strange, psychedelic-manor-like music. Oh wow, I’m hooked almost immediately. The organs feel like they’re conjuring spirits from a different dimension, meanwhile there are sounds of children playing in the background behind the different instrumentation. Oh wow, the vocals shift places and really further draw me in. Wow, the bass becomes loud, repetitive, and frequent, and almost reminds me of something from a Spiritualized song. Oh wow, there’s a third movement now that keeps pushing the song in different directions via the electric guitar work in it. There’s a certain mysticism that this song hits on that really captivates me.
“Prism Fawn” starts out with some classic psychedelic rock tone from the electric organs, while the bass really has the chaotic energy that gets channeled through simple yet fast bass lines. Oh wow, the song really evolves very well. Though the band’s origins remind me of what I know about The Freeborne, there’s a very different sound within the music, really making the idea of Bosstown sound that much more diverse in my mind. There’s a certain heaviness to the tone and the playing of the instruments that really bring in that wow-factor the faster they seem to play, while still being very interesting and melodic.
“One Eyed Minah” has an almost playful folksiness to this psychedelic rock tune. Oh wow, there flavor is absolutely dripping off of this one. Everything keep churning around in seemingly separate directions, only to join up for super tasty notes periodically throughout the tune.
“Feels Like Love” has a really groovy, laid-back feeling to this one. Wow, the structure of this one is incredibly interesting. I’m not sure how the song is whirring around in the background with the effects, but it continues to build on that feeling as if the band is summoning different spirits from some other dimension. The drums are extremely interesting with the effects, while the guitar plays an incredibly soothing melody to complement them. Awesome tune.
Oh wow, “Silver Children” starts out with some super flavorful clean tones from the electric guitar. Then the organs come on and play something that reminds me of tradition European folk music, and I think there might even be some sort of harpsichord mixed in, all blended with a healthy dose of psychedelia. Oh wow, the bass line keeps things rolling along with the steady, gentle approach from the drums. Meanwhile, the electric guitar comes on like a comet gently moving across a starry soundscape. This song is really awesome. Holy smokes, there’s some acoustic guitar now. The vocals really have some great layers and reverb to them. Wow, this feels like some sort of super strange psychedelic traditional European folk lullaby – I’m extraordinarily interested in the playing at the moment, and am getting lost in the gentle, dream-like soundscape produced in this one. Oh wow, the playing in the outro of the song feels like it picks up a step in tempo, and fades out just as things pick up, leaving me on the edge of my seat excited for the next song.
“Valley of Eyes” picks things up pretty quickly and feels like a great psychedelic shamanic voyage song, really lifting the listener to different peaks. The drums and bass are flying through the soundscape, really driving this train full steam ahead. Great tune.
“Without You” takes a super interesting turn, with a somewhat acoustic ballad filled to the brim with tasty music to navigate some different psychedelic waters. Oh wow, I’m really digging the sound in this one. It honestly reminds me a lot of Quicksilver Messenger Service. There’s definitely a really nice earthiness, and almost grounded sensation from this one. This song is absolutely awesome. Oh wow, the notes from the piano are extremely tasty, and the drums really drive this one home.
“What Were You Looking For?” starts out with some super groovy guitar work. There’s a nice fast pace with this one that feels like is given some great direction from the different instruments in the band. Everything really coalesces so well. Wow, the vocals move about the soundscape super well, and the mix throughout the soundscape is extremely interesting as everything seems to fade to higher and lower volumes and through different places throughout the mix. Focusing on the bass itself for a moment is awesome, as it sounds like it’s shaping all the other instruments around it, including the super sweet guitar solo happening at the moment. Wow, this jam at the end of this one is sweet.
“I’m Satisfied” has a super interesting groove to it – at first my impression is that of a psychedelic blues rock tune, but it never really seems to hit the bluesy notes while still retaining a bluesy structure to the playing. This one feels like a super fun song for the band to groove and jam to while the intensity of the playing starts to wind down a bit. Wow, that piano is absolutely awesome. It’s almost like some sort of major blues key the band is playing with, but I have no idea if that’s correct. Either way, it’s definitely a groovy tune.
“For The Best Offer” has a super playful, almost psychedelic circus-like feel to this one as the album comes to a close. This one feels like a bit of a trip down memory road for the album. Oh wow, the playing faded out and came back on with a super groovy, epic-sounding jam for the band to end the album with. It feels like the band is bringing this album to an end with a super groovy musical crescendo. Oh wow, the structure of the song takes a bit of a left turn through some pseudo-raga territory, before winding back up in that epic-sounding jam. There’s definitely still a mystic element to the playing in this one – really awesome. Oh wow, now the original circus-like beginning part has faded back on – super groovy. This one is definitely an interesting way to end the album with, and is certainly very interesting in song structure. Great song.
Wow, this album was absolutely awesome. I can’t fathom why it wasn’t released back in the 60s when it was recorded, though I’m sure I just don’t know some important logistical details or otherwise that had to do with the album’s delayed release. Regardless of its release date, I’m stoked to have listened to this one tonight. I know some band members went on to record other music under different band names, so I’ll have to take a look. This one is especially a great listen for psychedelic music enthusiasts and fans of Bosstown sound. If you do decide to give this one a listen, I do sincerely hope that you enjoy it at least as much as I did.
-A