Fuchsia was a progressive folk rock band that was formed in England in 1970. During their initial run, the band only released one album, Fuchsia (1971), and Mojo magazine has since listed the album as a “forgotten classic”. In the recent decade, a different iteration of the band comprised of one original member and seven new musicians began releasing music under the name Fuchsia II. I’m generally a big fan of folk-oriented music, regardless of the subtype, so I’m pretty stoked to give this album a listen. With that said, I’m going to jump on into the music.
“Gone with the Mouse” starts with a super British-folk sounding electric guitar line that has really hooked me in almost immediately. Oh wow, this tune gets grooving along in a super interesting manner, with a bit of a shuffling rhythm of sorts and a tempo that seems to shift about in a really groovy way. Holy smokes, the song has gone into a number of movements that have hit notes that you might hear in psychedelic rock as well as religious music. Oh wow, at this point the tune feels like a sort of progressive rock version of a Pentangle or Fairport Convention song. Holy smokes, the music seems to change up on a pinhead in a manner that feels both unexpected and natural. Wow, awesome track, and I’m excited to hear more.
“A Tiny Book” begins with some super light and earthy folksy flavors from the electric guitar and acoustic guitar, which seem to gradually pick up some weightiness and somewhat of a raga-inflection. Holy smokes, I’m really digging this track and album so far. Holy smokes, the song changes into a Spanish-inflected, pseudo-psychedelic funk section of sorts. Oh wow, this track is super groovy. Holy smokes, the song has moved into a sort of folksy, syncopated marching groove of sorts that I’m really digging. Oh wow, I’m really digging this song. The background chorus vocals sound like they’re coming from a children’s church choir, and adds a super interesting lightness to the soundscape. Holy smokes, the tune has moved into a folksy marching section that reminds me a lot of Richard Thompson and Fairport Convention. Holy smokes, the ending movement of this track sounds like some sort of classic British folk composition with the combination of orchestral strings and the many different acoustic and electric guitar flavors. Wow, great track.
Oh wow, “Another Nail” starts out with some far out, spacey sounds that remind me a lot of Gong. Holy smokes, the drums, bass, and acoustic and electric guitars come into the soundscape as if they’re giving you a platform to float through space on. I’m really digging this track so far. There seem to be more overtly psychedelic elements in this track so far compared to the first tracks, and this track also seems to be the most rock-oriented song so far as well. Holy smokes, the different movements of orchestral strings create a ton of movement in the background of this track. Holy smokes, the song has changed up a ton with the current movement I’m hearing, which introduces a sort of twangy, somewhat folksy flavor in the guitars, and some vocals as well. Holy smokes, this track is super groovy. Oh wow, things return to the spacey beginning of the track, as though you’ve traveled all about the universe and are still cruising your way through. Holy smokes, the guitars that come back into the soundscape near the end of the track are super flavorful, and once again provide you with the platform to float through space on. Awesome track.
Oh wow, “Shoes and Ships” starts out with some folksy acoustic guitar that has a very forward-moving feeling. Oh wow, the sweetness of the orchestral strings complement the laid-back vocals quite nicely. The vocals, and the song in total so far, remind me of soft psych music a bit, and I’m really digging the sound so far. Holy smokes, the cello and the strummed acoustic guitar chords frame the drums and orchestral strings in the center of the soundscape really nicely. Wow, this track is groovy. Holy smokes, the tune resolves back to the beginning movement in a super sweet way. Oh wow, this solo acoustic guitar chord progression is super sweet. Wow, the cello comes in to accompany the acoustic guitar, and only pulls me further into the music. Wow, awesome track.
Oh wow, “The Nothing Song” has a tension-filled beginning with rolling snares, orchestral strings, and dissonant guitar that would make the song appropriate as the soundtrack to a movie just as the plot is nearing the climax. Oh wow, the song seems to drop into place with a super groovy psychedelic folk rock sound that I’m really digging, as the music seems to build tension with orchestrated chaos, and then move along and slowly release some of the tension in a way that is keeping me on the edge of my seat. Oh wow, I’m really digging this track. I’m almost reminded of Van Dyke Parks with the cinematic nature to this track so far, and I’m very much digging that. Holy smokes, the song continues to evolve in really groovy ways as the music continues, giving the album an even more dynamic feel than it already had. The orchestral strings also add a super sweet baroque flavor to the dynamic track that I’m really digging as well, reminding me a bit of Scott Walker in the process. Great track.
Holy smokes, “Me and My Kite” starts with some super sweet orchestral strings that remind me of a baroque religious song of sorts. Holy smokes, the acoustic guitar comes in, followed shortly by the vocals and then the drums and bass, which create a chorus that feels like a psychedelic pop track that reminds me a bit of The Beatles. The acoustic guitar almost reminds me of Oasis and Liam Gallagher to some extent. Wow, great track.
Oh wow, “Just Anyone” has a fast-paced, psychedelic wild-west sort of sound at the beginning with the electric guitar that has a feel that reminds me of a roller coaster arriving to the top of the last hill before the final descent. Holy smokes, the track has introduces some drippy slide guitar that adds even more psychedelic flavor to the track. I’m really digging the accentuations from the piano in this track as well. Holy smokes, the soundscape almost reminds me of Pink Floyd at some times with the slow, flavorful, psychedelia-infused arrangement of the soundscape. Wow, awesome track, and a great way to end the album.
Holy smokes, this album is awesome. I’m already checking out the price on Discogs for a copy on vinyl, but official copies seem to be rather pricey (upwards of $200 depending on version and location). I can understand how this album was listed as a forgotten classic by Mojo magazine. The album had a mixture of folk, rock, baroque, psychedelic, pop, and even funk flavors that all were arranged such that the progression from one song to the next, and from one movement to the next within each song felt very natural. There’s a ton of music packed into this 41-minute album. I’m already looking forward to listening to this one again. If you enjoy psychedelic rock, folk rock, and/or progressive rock, you might want to consider checking out this album. And if you do decide to give this album a listen, I sincerely do hope that you enjoy the listening experience at least as much as I did.
-A