Syd Barrett – "Opel" (1988)

I was 17 when I bought this album. I knew of the myth of Syd Barrett, but didn’t know much about him and had no idea that he had released solo albums. Of all the places in the world I found Opel on a fair far out in the countryside in Northern Sweden. This inaccessible location, combined with the foggy idea I had about Syd, largely influenced by ignorance and myth, made me believe that this was a real rarity. An obscure, probably completely unknown album. Maybe a bootleg!? I must have been extremely lucky to have encountered it. Ignorance is sometimes bliss.

Opel was released after many years of nagging from fans of Syd as there were (apparently true) rumors saying there were unreleased recordings made by the man. The songs on the album were recorded between 1968-70 most of them from the later date. Behind the knobs in the studio we find, on the earlier recordings, Peter Jennings and Malcolm Jones. On the later recordings David Gilmour is producing (with help of Waters on one song). In the UK the album was released on Harvest and in the US on Capitol.

The album consists of a mix of unreleased tracks and alternate takes of songs that we find on Syd's two solo albums, Barrett and The Madcap Laughs. Most songs are Syd with his guitar. There are three songs with a full band - Clowns And Jugglers (Octopus) with Soft Machine doing the playing, Swan Lee (Silas Lang) and Lanky (Part I), which is a semi-chaotic instrumental creation. The album also ends with a mysterious instrumental version of Golden Hair with an electric guitar and a vibraphone (?). Apart from that, it’s Syd's voice and an acoustic guitar you’ll get.

I honestly don’t know what to think about Opel. The quality of the songs are uneven to say the least.
On one hand, some good songs, interesting alternate takes and a glimpse into a myth. We find some of these on his solo albums, fully produced and better, objectively speaking. On the other hand, some lousy songs, false singing, terrible guitar playing and a timing that’s far from ideal, nicely put. It's perfectly understandable that they didn’t reach beyond the studio, and would probably, if the man had not been called Syd Barrett, never even have gotten that far. Of course one should keep in mind that some of the recordings are similar to demos or tests of song ideas, and therefore shouldn’t be judged too harshly. Songs where Syd pauses, audible turns the page and then continues his singing never were meant to end up on a record. I assume. Some of the unreleased songs are certainly good enough to have earned a spot on one of Syd's solo albums, though. I think especially of the songs Swan Lee (Silas Lang), Milky Way and of course the title song.

I ’ve always felt that this album has a dark undertone. The cover is of course black, which may influence the listening, also the knowledge that Syd at this stage in his life was a relatively broken man whose mental health wasn’t good affects my view. In addition, some of the songs are relatively dark creations, both in sound and in the texts which I usually understand nothing of. And I can’t get away from the feeling that the people involved in the recordings helped out, out of pity for Syd.

This is probably an album you don’t buy because you think there are good and qualitative songs on it. My guess is that the buyer is a Pink Floyd fan with an interest in Syd and therefore finds this album interesting. And for that person, I recommend Opel. For those who don’t know Syd, and have no interest to learn more about this man, the music is, objectively speaking, probably not of enough quality to justify a purchase. Personally, I belong to the first group and I’m glad to have this album in my collection, although I rarely listen to it today.

Personal highlights on the album: Opel, Clown And Jugglers (Octopus), Golden Hair (both versions), Swan Lee (Silas Lang) and Milky Way. And Wined And Dined is a favorite when I sit with a guitar and light up the world with my singing. And Wouldn’t You Miss Me (Dark Globe) is not bad either, where Syd sounds quite vulnerable.
　
Tracklist

Side A
1. Opel 6:30
2. Clowns And Jugglers (Octopus) 3:25
3. Rats 3:10
4. Golden Hair 1:44
5. Dolly Rocker 3:00
6. Word Song 3:23
7. Wined And Dined 3:05

Side B
1. Swan Lee (Silas Lang) 3:11
2. Birdie Hop 2:27
3. Let’s Split 2:35
4. Lanky (Part I) 5:40
5. Wouldn’t You Miss Me (Dark Globe) 2:57
6. Milky Way 3:27
7. Golden Hair (Instrumental) 1:47

AWOLnation – "Megalithic Symphony" (2011)

I heard Awolnation for the first time on the radio in November 2012, it was the song Kill Your Heroes that came out of the speakers. An interesting, different, but still accessible song with a catchy chorus. I sat alone in the car on my way from Norrkoping to Uppsala (Sweden). A moment of tranquility in a hectic life. It’s only in the car I listen to radio, except intellectual documentaries I download to my mp3 player. Yes, I actually have one. Since I don’t drive very often I don’t hear much radio, and therefore I have a rather poor perception of the world in terms of current, commercial music. If one should define an album from 2011 as "current" music.

Anyway, Kill Your Heroes was interesting enough to justify further investigations on the subject Awolnation, and here I sit today with their first, and so far only, album.

 

Awolnation is Aaron Bruno who is the composer of all the music, he has previously been a member of Under The Influence Of Giants, amongst other bands. On Megalithic Symphony he was helped by Drew Stewart on guitar, Kenny Carkeet on guitar and keyboards, and Hayden Scott on drums.

The initial feeling when I listened to the album was that it was so-so. It felt a bit too electronic and Aaron also sings in a special way that is more a sort of screaming-singing. This in combination with up-beat songs made the sound environment quite messy. There are clear beats, danceable songs and a lot of energy. But perhaps a little impersonal. This was the first feeling. It changed.

After listening to the album a number of times, I think it's really, really good. One of the few records where all the songs are good with no weak numbers. I still think it’s a somewhat too electronical sound for my taste and I would appreciate more guitar-drums-bass (says the same person who enjoys Kraftwerk, Brian Eno and Tangerine Dream). But since the songs are so good I believe they would stand out even more clearly in a bit more stripped down production. At the same time, the electronical sound/production makes it a fun and varied listening experience.

It's hard to pick out any particular song from the album since the quality is so high throughout. The song Sail can be mentioned as it was a single that reached relatively high on the charts and has been featured in a number of television productions. Knights Of Shame, the album’s final epic 15-minute song might also be mentioned as it, despite its length, doesn’t bore the listener, which is impressive. That is, it’s 15 minutes long if you count the hidden final track and the silence before that. Even the rap works in this final number, which otherwise often feels a bit superimposed in music like this. I enjoy epic tracks like these where the listener is taken on a journey through a varied musical landscape, full of beauty and surprises.

I, who have a deep mistrust of modern music played on the radio, think it's fun to find a modern album to expand my collection with. It's fun to be in touch with today! If that is what I am.

The electronic sound/production and the sometimes noisy acoustic environment meant that it took a while to really embrace this album, now that I've done, it stands out more and more as a masterpiece.

 

The vinyl is a double album and as the companies in their kindness sometimes do (in this case Red Bull Records), the vinyl buyer also gets the album in digital format with the purchase. Even more use for my mp3 player!

Dance baby, dance like the world is ending!
　
Tracklist

Side A
1. Megalithic Symphony 0:58
2. Some Sort Of Creature 0:27
3. Soul Wars 3:37
4. People 3:58

Side B
1. Jump On My Shoulders 4:08
2. Burn It Down 2:45
3. Guilty Filthy Soul 3:33
4. Kill Your Heroes 2:59

Side C
1. My Nightmare’s Dream 0:27
2. Sail 4:19
3. Wake Up 3:03
4. Not Your Fault 4:02

Side D
1. All I Need 3:38
2. Knights Of Shame 14:56

Maxi Singles

I will depart from the usual 33 1/3 road today and enter the 45 rpm world and the so-called maxi singles. My collection does not contain many of this ancient creatures, there are only four of them. For those who don't remember, a maxi single was a disc of normal size (12'') but spun on 45 rpm and had 1-2 songs per side. Since the tracks wasn't as close, the sound became more dynamic. It was when the DJ culture gained momentum these discs filled a need.



Kate Bush - "Experiment IV" (1986)
To promote Kate's Greatest hit album The Whole Story this single was released, both as a "normal" single and a maxi single. The A-side is the title track and is not on any of Kate's studio albums. I think this song is pretty boring and relatively bland, if one may say so about Kate and her music. The lyrics is about a secret military plan to create a weapon which  kill people with sound.
If you flip the record it starts with the classic and breakthrough song Wuthering Heights from 1978, with new vocals. It's a beautiful song with a sweeping chorus. Can't go wrong with that. Finally you reach the album's peak, the Christmas song December Will Be Magic Again which was recorded in 1979 but was released as a single just before Christmas 1980, and here it appears again. You don't get that song either on any of Kate's studio albums, but is one of my personal favorites with Kate, and without a doubt a top favorite when it comes to Christmas songs. One of few examples that a Christmas song can be really good.

Side A
1. Experiment IV 6:38

Side B
1. Wuthering Heights 4:57
2. December Will Be Magic Again 4:50





Kate Bush - "The Big Sky (Meteorological Mix)" (1986)
The A-side is (of course) the title track which is taken from Kate's album Hounds of Love, but as the title suggests, it is a remixed version. I've gotten used to hear the song in its original form and it's therefore a bit difficult to really enjoy this version. However, it's an OK song that wants you to dance, especially in this meteorological mix.
The B-side opens up with Not This Time, a song that does not appear on any of Kate's studio albums and a song that I don't especially like. Unusually mainstream to be Kate, and with a strong 80s vibe. It doesn't stand out in any way. The single ends with another song from Hounds Of Love; The Morning Fog.


Side A
1. The Big Sky (Meteorological Mix) 7:49

Side B
1. Not This Time 3:40
2. The Morning Fog 2:33





Kate Bush - "Running Up That Hill" (1985)
This was the first single released from Hounds Of Love and Kate's second most successful single ever. It started out as the number nine on the charts in England and got to a third position as its peak. It's a good song, and many believe it is one of Kate's best. Originally the title was A Deal With God but EMI were worried how people would react to the word "God" in a song title? Scary. Kate changed the name, but the on the LP the original name was included in parentheses. This single version of the song is an extended version, but follows the LP's version pretty close.
The B-side opens with a very beautiful creation, Under The Ivy. A song that doesn't appear on any studio album and an instant favorite when I heard it. Kate's voice, a piano and a some choir. I guess the song should be defined as a ballad, the kind that almost induces tears. Last of all, Running Up That Hill comes back in an instrumental version.

Side A
1. Running Up That Hill (Extended Version) 5:47

Side B
1. Under The Ivy 2:06
2. Running Up That Hill (Instrumental) 5:00






Ganges Orchestra - "The Dream" / Ganga - "Meditasian" (1983)
After my Kate Bush maxi singles we come to the collection's more rare bird. Odd in that the band / artist is a bit more obscure, moreover, it's not purely a maxi single. One side spins at 45 rpm while the other spins at 33. The label is the English Indipop which does not refer to 'independent', it's about dance music with Asian / Indian influences. On the energetic A-side, The Dream, you'll hear the tabla, African log drum, Indian bells, morcing, conga, saxophone, Shenai, sitar, bass, slide guitar, etc. The vocals consist largely of traditional hindi singing. And all created to the dance floors in the 80's club scene in England. And one can only say that it is dance friendly! Full speed ahead!
Some people involved in this album played the year before in the band Monsoon which apparently was a successful band in the genre, if you believe marketing sheet that comes with the album. Sheila Chandra and Steve Coe are two of the names. Steve Coe ran Indipop and Sheila Chandra has released some solo albums at this label but also on her own label later on.

The B-side is a much longer track of the more meditative kind, only a sitar (I think) is heard, and the sound goes in a loop. Relaxing and soothing.

The first 5000 copies of the album were hand painted with unique motifs and were numbered, I'm the proud owner of number 858. I think that's a rain cloud and ... yes ... something else. The sea and a periscope? Another interesting detail is that it came with an incense stick inside the cover, and mine is still intact. However, many incense sticks "managed to warp several boxes of export vinyl copies in the process! But at least the warped vinyl smelt good ..." Sheila's own words from the album information on discogs.com.
I found this album on a record fair in the 90s and paid what I then thought was a relatively large amount of money (= more than $ 15).

Side A
1. The Dream 7:17

Side B
1. Meditasian 24:39

MFSB – "Love Is The Message" (1973)

I found this record in Quebec a few years ago, and apart from the price of 1 or 2 dollars, the album attracted me with its contradictions. A skull, a nuclear bomb, a swastika, KKK, assault rifles and children who seem to suffer. Heavy stuff. Whith a title that says exactly the opposite. Of course I had to investigate what kind of album this was.

A knower of music should probably know who MFSB were, in other words, I can’t define myself as one. MFSB (Mother, Father, Sister, Brother) was a group of about 30 musicians who were the house band in the studio Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. There they recorded a large amount of music for the classical label Philadelphia International, mostly as studio musicians for other artists, but also under their own namne. Philadelphia International was created and managed by the producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff.


Sigma Sound Studios

MFSB was a key part of The Philly sound that was big in (especially) the first half of the 70s, and was an important part of creating disco. Wikipedia describes that The Philly sound "is a style of soul music characterized by funk influences and lush instrumental arrangements, often featuring sweeping strings and piercing horns. The subtle sound of a vibraphone can often be heard in the background of Philly soul songs. "

I have a compilation CD with Philadelphia soul (as it’s also called, Sweet Philly is another name) in my collection and I must admit that it’s quite groovy music.

Love Is The Message is a nice album. It’s instrumental and clocks in at just over 35 minutes. Lots of horns, lots of strings, lots of electric organ, fat arrangements. If I have a record that smells the 70s, it’s this one. Yes, it's probably as much 70s as it possible can be. I see countless of TV series from that decade in my head when I hear the songs. It's pretty gentle and comforting music on the album, and allmusic.com have as a couple of (many) definitions of the music Easy listening - Smooth Soul. Sometimes it's a little too nice and sweet, and my mean moments I think that some of the songs would fit well on a Saturday night in a club for retired people. Personally, I think feel good music would fit well as a definition. The darkness, anxiety and neuroses are far away on this album. Instead life is good, the ladies (and gentlemen) are beautiful, the money is flowing in and we are among groovy and cool friends. A perfect party where no one gets too drunk and everyone is happy in a relaxed way.

There are two classic songs on the album, the first one is the title song. A beautiful creation that became a big underground hit in New York's disco world a few years later. The second one, which even I recognize, is T.S.O.P (The Sound Of Philadelphia). It was written as the theme song to the TV show Soul Train and was released as a single which reached number one on the charts. A beautiful song probably everyone can like, and the only song on the record where some vocals are heard in the form of a few female voices.

The music is in stark contrast to the cover, which I guess was the point. To the wicked, hard world we live in perhaps music like this is the right medicine.

Tracklist

Side A
1. Zack’s Fanfare 0:23
2. Love Is The Message 6:35
3. Cheaper To Keep Her 6:52
4. My One And Only Love 4:34

Side B
1. T.S.O.P (The Sound Of Philadelphia)
2. Zack’s Fnafare (I Hear Music) 0:50
3. Touch Me In The Morning (6:21
4. Bitter Sweet 5:26