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Mad River - Mad River

1968

Capitol ST 2985

Track List :

Merciful monks, High all the time, Amphetamine gazelle, Eastern light, Wind chimes, War goes on, Hush Julian.

Review:

Mad River only existed for about 4 years, in which time they made 2 albums. Later, Lawrence Hammond made a solo album. That and the second album (Paradise Bar and Grill) are forgettable, but the debut was a superb slice of psychedelia.

Originally released in 1968, due to a mastering error the resulting vinyl played back faster than it was recorded. Speedy enough to begin with, this made it a tough album to listen to.

The CD reissue on Edsel rectified this error, and if you can find a copy the effort is well rewarded. The main reason for the band’s drop by Capitol records was the surreal, druggy lyrics, and psychotic sound. A clue to what to expect. They are actually one of the most psychedelic sounding bands of the era.

At times they are a bit like Quicksilver, at others like Big Brother, but imagine either of those groups playing much more tightly arranged, faster tempo, lyrically complex compositions and featuring a demented vocalist and you’re getting close. Berkeley neighbours of theirs were the legendary Frumious Bandersnatch who are also worth checking out. Merciful Monks opens with rocky riffs and frantic part play, strained vocals and lyrics like: “Didn’t you say I could hold a broom and sweep the burning nostrils into the sea?” There’s a guitar solo that leaps and twists everywhere, threatening to descend into chaos but never quite losing it. “High All The Time” is next, with a fade-in start.

As you can imagine this song is about taking certain substances, and Lawrence sounds suitably stoned. Great big movies inside your head, your mind's eye is just a camera taking photographs. The track has great fuzz guitar licks all the way through, as well. Amphetamine Gazelle opens with Greg Dewey, the drummer, stammering and muttering in imitation of a speed freak, and then the song rattles along with more crazy lyrics from Hammond and high octane guitar work.

Eastern Light is a sentimental, bluesy ballad with a sad, moody bridge and a wistful climax. For me the only slightly weak track on the album. The side 2 opener is “Wind Chimes,” and it starts with wind chimes tinkling in the breeze. It is an instrumental that builds and builds. Gentle harmonics and rhythm guitar are overtaken by panning distorted lead that develops into an eastern sounding jam of power, complexity and stunning beauty with an almost Bach-like quality at one point, followed by a tattoo of a drum climax from Dewey and a gentle subsiding afterglow. Next the 12-and-a-half minute War Goes On screeches, rattles and squeals its way into your consciousness. This sounds like a Vietnam veteran’s nightmare, a grinding, screaming, angry horror story of a song; you can almost taste the napalm.

The final track is the brief, acoustic lullabye, Hush Julian.

Reviewed by DoctorDark

Mad River - Paradise Bar and Grill

1969

Capitol (st 185)

Track List :

Harfy Magnum, Paradise bar and grill, Love's not the way to treat a friend, Leave me - stay, Copper plates, Equinox, They brought sadness, Revolution's in my pockets, Academy cemetery, Cherokee queen.

Review:

As a follow-up, PB&G is an eclectic departure from the first album. They must have sensed that the winds of change was blowing away from psychedelic music, and with the likes of Dylan, The Band, The Byrds, Poco, The Flying Burrito Bros. and The Grateful Dead all changing direction and picking up on a mellower 'country' sound. Not that Mad River totally left mind-altering acid-rock behind. Those elements are still present on PB&G, though toned down a bit. But perhaps the band was hoping for some commercial success (slightly un-hip at the time, though it pays the bills) and trying to stay on the leading edge.

Personally, I like the album a lot, though for different reasons than the first album (which requires a certain state of mind to truly appreciate). The songwriting is top notch, but hardly mainstream. That is what made them unique, along with their abundant musical talents. As a musician I find more to take from the second album than the first. It has more textures, and a wide (too wide for most) range of styles. The first album is a timeless psychedelic treasure, and a true classic right up there with the Dead's AOXOMOXOA, and the second is a close cousin to the Flying Burritos "Gilded Palace Of Sin" and the Jefferson Airplane's "Volunteers".
There are three 'pure' country songs on "Paradise Bar & Grill": The title song, "Copper Plates", and "Cherokee Queen". The first is a waltz sung by bassist/pianist Lawrence Hammond with his unique tremolo, and features a pedal steel guitar solo, while the other two were sung by drummer Greg Dewey. Lyrically, the first song would have fit in on the first album, though the music would sound fine behind George Jones. "Copper Plates" is an up-tempo hot-pickin' send-up on counterfeiting, complete with banjo, and "Cherokee Queen" is a sad tale set in 3/4 time with some fine pedal steel guitar. It is downright tranquil.

The second big change is the inclusion of two short acoustic instrumentals (Harfy Magnum, and Equinox) and another acoustic tune that featured writer/poet Richard Brautigan reciting his own poem. (Brautigan was a big fan of the group, and he helped support them before they signed with Capitol. (Read his books.))

The remainder of the cuts could have easily fit on the first album. "Leave Me/Stay" is the killer follow-up to "Eastern Light", featuring a patented Robinson guitar solo and Lawrence's heartbroken vocals. "They Brought Sadness" feature a mix of electric and acoustic guitars and an inventive harmonic structure. Dewey sings this and the next song, "Revolution In My Pocket", which takes a musical scenic route through rock, funk, folk and choral music. It's even beefed up with horns. Without a break it goes straight into "Academy Cemetery", a fully electric instrumental augmented by the band's manager playing the congas. It's vintage Mad River, twisting, turning and snaking as it reaches a great climax and then coasts to the end. (This is where you would light a cigarette...)

The band had gone through some changes for their second album, most notably the departure of guitarist/bassist Thomas Manning. Manning appears on several cuts, as does producer Jerry Corbett and his Youngblood alumni Banana, both contributing pedal steel guitar. The pedal steel guitar in question was originally owned by Jerry Garcia and sold to Banana. This is before Garcia was serious about the instrument (ca. 1966)

The listener who expected another album like Mad River's first were probably disappointed with the country leanings on Paradise Bar And Grill. But as an attempt to tame the group and make them more accessible to the general record buying public, it's a big step forward. Put this record on between Crosby Stills & Nash's 1st and The Grateful Dead's "Workingman's Dead" and it's a perfect fit.

Reviewed by Roger Stomperud - May 2002

http://www.richardstepp.com/

Magic - Enclosed

1969

Armadillo - ALS-8031

Track List:

Keep On Movin' On, Indian Sadie, You Must Believe She's Gone, Ets/Zero, Wake Up Girl, One Minus Two, Who Am I To Say, Play.

Magic Carpet - Magic Carpet

1972

Essex

Track List :

The magic carpet, The phoenix, Black cat, Alans Christmas Card, Harvest Song, Do you hear the words, Father Time, La La,Peace Song, Take Away kesh, High Street, The Dream, Raga.

The Magic Mixture - This Is...

1968

Saga Records FID 2125

Track List :

(I'm So) Sad, Urge To Leave, You, Slowly The Day, New Man, Living On A Hill, It Is Alright By Me, When I Was Young, Hey Little Girl, Tomorrow's Song, Motorbike Song, Moonbeams.

Review:

This is one of the all-time great British rock albums that came out the late 60's. Impossibly rare and hard to find (even its re-issues), yet one to cherish once you do find it.

These guys recorded this one great album then faded into obscurity. 1968 saw the release of so many classics, and although not known to many, "This is The Magic Mixture" can easily hold its own next to the more well known releases of its day. The album also has the sense and feel that the musicans had great fun recording it.

With almost every song on the record being nearly good enough to release as an A-Side single, it is difficult to single any out to review, however, a couple favourites are "Urge To Leave" with its Zombies like vocals and latin based percussion which drives the song through to a gorgeous guitar solo, "New Man" for it's pulsating rhythms and swirly organ, "Living On A Hill" for its wah-wah infected guitar and "When I Was Young" for it's superb lyrics, manic guitar, drums and organ that swirl into one massive headfuck.

However, let there be no mistake, these are only four of it's tracks which I felt inclined to mention and with the exception, perhaps of "The Motorbike Song" (the OTT Cockney accent is too much to bear), the entire album is pure class and demands to be heard again and again. At times the guitar work on the album is reminiscent of John Cipollina's shimmering Quicksilver leads.

Any true fan of 60's psych rock should make it a priority to find themselves a copy of this truly great album.

Reviewed by Blue Magoo - July 2002

Magic Mushroom Band - The Politics Of Ecstasy

1986

Pagan Music Ltd ‎– PML 003

Track List:

Better Up Than Down, Revolution, Living In A Dream, Magic Eye, How Does It Feel?, Turban Paranoia, Hard Stuff, Wide Eyed Electric.

Magic Mushroom Band - Bomshamkar!

1987

Aftermath Records ‎– AFT 3

Track List:

Brain Machine, Nothing Sacred, Open Arms, Who Can Say?, Satisfied, Reign On You, Invasion Of The Flyin' Wotsit Thingies, Round And Round, Within U.

Magic Mushroom Band - Eyes Of The Angel

1989

Aftermath Records ‎– AFT 6

Track List:

You Can Be My L-S-D, It's Up To You, Liquid Sky, Love Resurrection, Arthur Mix, Eyes Of The Angel, Guilt, Greed, Hate, War, Are You Experienced.

Magic Mushroom Band - Process Of Illumination

1990

Fungus Records ‎– BUBBLE

Track List:

Tomorrow Never Knows, Burning Like The Sun, What's On Your Mind, Smile, Don't Be Afraid, Halcyon Daze, I'll Be Your Friend, Kaleidoscope.

Magic Mushroom Band - Spaced Out

1991

Fungus Records ‎– FUN 005

Track List:

Astralasia, Look Into The Future, Feel So Fine, Equasian, Freedom, Ambient Interlude I, My Hat, Squatter In The House, Aquasian, Aravinda, Ambient Interlude II, Pictures In My Mind, It Just Takes Time.

Magma - Magma

1970

Philips ‎– 6395 001/002

Track List:

Kobaia, Aïna, Malaria, Sohïa, Sckxyss, Auraë, Thaud Zaia, Naü Ektila, Stoah, Mûh.

Maisie - Music Is A Fish Defrosted In A Hair Dryer

2002

Snowdonia/Mizmaze

Track List:

..., Dick Smart 2.007, Resta Di Stucco E' Un Barbatrucco, I'm Swinging, Uxorcide Waltz, Las Momas, Andy Warhol Made In China, My Body Was A Lumious Accumulator, Sun Burns In Pink Air, Mr. Clam Is Still Missing, Dick Smart 2.007 (Der Vertreiber), Barbapapa' Disc Jockey, Sadist Of Notre Dame, Plasir A' Trois, My Body Was A Luminous Accumulator (Naturlich).

Review:

The moment this baby landed in the Pooterland PO Box I knew in an instant we were in for something VERY different, just one look at the packaging was enough to give the game away...

Maisie is the warped brainchild of Cinzia La Fauci from Messina in Italy (who also owns the Snowdonia label) and is a combined release on Snowdonia and Giampiero Fleba's Mizmaze Records (also from Italy).

I have played this about 15 times and cannot even begin to categorise this album, if held at gunpoint and forced to make a comparison I would probaby blurt out "David Bowie meets Gong in a blaze of industrial strength Extra Terrestrial hallucinogenics"....there, does that make sense?, no, I didn't think it would!!

Music Is A Fish Defrosted In A Hair Dryer is a veritable cornucopia of Miles Davies meets Peyote God in a deranged Psycho Pop vein.

Lyrically it owes a significant amount to Captain Beefheart which such woderful prose as 'Gazing into space and empty site, you're feeling under the weather, ready for an Uxoricide Waltz, in an airtight chamber, blue morning after the night before, your dull smile between my legs....' (Uxorcide Waltz) or 'Sun burns in pink air, it seems to me nobody moves, people live in sterilised passages, my motionless eyes see nothing moves..' (Sun Burns In Pink Air).

A plethora of instruments are used here: Clarinet, Saxophone, Synthesizer, Organ, Piano, Violin, Trumpet Double Bass, Trombone, Drums, Flute, Electric Guitar, Samplers, Bells as well as some interesting vocals, some in Italian and others in English and this goes to make up a very varied and in places strange, piece of Psychedelic Jazz Pop weirdness.

Of course this will not be everybody's bag, but if you dig the unconventional this is a beautiful slice of the proverbial.

From what we have seen to date, much of what gets released in Italy is often innovative and pioneering and there is definitely a strong underground music scene there, to which this is testament.

If you fancy a cute mixed bag of 'Freeform Psychedelic Jazz Pop' then Maisie is wholeheartedly recommended by me and I will look forward to future releases from Cinzia with anticipation.

Reviewed by pOoTer - May 2002

Maitreya Kali - Inca

1972

United Kingdom Of America Records ‎– CF-2964

Track List:

Lights Of Dawn, Thesis, Knot the Freize, Jesus Owns, Sam Pan Boat, Fearless Men, Cheryl, Occult, Country Girl, Old Men, King.

Majic Ship - Majic Ship

1970

Bel-Ami Records ‎– BA-711

Track List:

Sioux City Blues, Wednesday Morning Dew, Life's Lonely Road, We Gotta Live On, Where Are We Going, Free, Down By The River - What It's Worth (Medley), Nightmare, Too Much, Cosmo's Theme.

Mandra Gora Lightshow Society - Beyond The Mushroom Gate

1999

Loudsprecher 00663

Track List:

I don’t Want To Rewind The Time, Unknown Gem, Perpetuum Morality, The Graduation, Der Hieronimus Bosch Trip, A Common Race, Magic Rushroom.

Review:

This is one of those albums you put on when you’re spliffed up, mushed up, or whatever lights your candle up.

This album has it all. Spaced out grooves, classic psych vocals of yesteryear, all bought into the 20th/21st century by this awesome German band. They appear to have the whole psychedelic sound pretty well sorted, with the last twenty minutes, excellent food for the brain. Sit back and enjoy chilled out sounds, building up to a journey of uncertain ending that will have you looking for a friend to tell you to calm down, it will be alright soon. When calmness comes, don’t be fooled. There are plenty of noises at the end to get you looking round the room, wondering what the hell is going on. Finished off thoughtfully to bring you down gently.

Fave track – Der Heironimus Bosch Trip - 8 min 32 secs of cranial delight. Worth buying the album on the strength of this one track alone. Without underestimating the quality of the rest of the album.
Lovers of psychedelic music MUST add this to their collection.

Reviewed by Sir Eel

Mandra Gora Lightshow Society - Space Rave

2001

Swamp Room Records

Track list:

Love dies, Betty Day, This sweet pain, Psychedelic Shiva.

Review:

One thing you can be sure of when you get an MGLS album is that you are going to be treated to an aural feast. This record is no exception as Mandra Gora lay down another set of psychedelic grooves thanks to the use of Tablas, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer E piano, congas, drums and guitars, to give you an early "Deep Purple" meets "Doors" and "Floyd" style.

These space groovers have just stepped through the psychedelic Stargate from the planet Psylocybin to spread their acid induced music.

"Psychedelic Shiva" ebbs and flows on a tide of cosmic hypnosis "Hawkwind" style and sung with the anger of "The purple Things" and is one of the best psych tracks I've laid ears on. To have been there at the 1999 "Hawkfan meeting" where this live recording came from must have been an awesome trip.

The whole Mandra Gora theme is like being thrown back to the classic psych days and this from a 21st century band is quite something, there surely can't be a better band on the planet who can cut it like these guys can. Pure pleasure, pure brain food.

To complete the theme, this limited edition of 1500 copies is on picture vinyl, one side depicting an astronaut with coloured oval shapes of varying sizes and the other side is of a rocket with a spiral trail that draws you in as the vinyl spins.

Aint vinyl just soooo good.

Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Sir Eel - February 2002

Mandrake Memorial - The Mandrake Memorial

1968

Poppy ‎– PYS 40,002

Track List

Bird Journey, Here I Am, Rainy May, This Can't Be Real, Dark Lady, House Of Mirrors, To A Lonely, Strange, Next Number, Sunday Noon.

The Mandrake Memorial – Medium

1968

Poppy ‎– PYS 40,003

Track List

Snake Charmer, Witness The End, Celebration, Other Side, Last Number, After Pascal, Smokescreen, Barnaby Plum, Cassandra.

The Mandrake Memorial - Puzzle

1969

Collectables COL-0693

Track List:

Earthfriend Prelude, Earthfriend, Just A Blur (version 1), Hiding, Just A Blur (version 2), Tadpole, Kyrie, Ocean's Daughter, Volcano Prelude, Volcano, Whisper Play, Bucket of Air, Children's Prayer, Puzzle, Just A blur (version 3), Something in the Air, Musical Man.

Review:

"Puzzle" was the final album to be released by The Mandrake Memorial. Arriving in 1969 dressed in stunning Escher cover-art this was and still remains a truly unique sounding psychedelic mood-piece.

The first attempts at recording an acoustic version of the album were discarded in favour of later sessions with a different producer who added a more orchestral feel to the tracks.

The whole album ebbs and flows, gently guided by Randy Monaco's fragile vocals, generating a tranquil floating under-water ambience. Any orchestration or addition of trippy psychedelic embellishments to the keyboards and guitars are very subtly and tastefully done ensuring that this album has aged very well indeed.

The standout tracks are the multiple versions of the wonderfully spaced-out "Just A Blur", "Ocean's Daughter" a sort of blues-tinged mermaid's lullaby, and "Earthfriend" with its beautiful waves of morphing keyboards that gently wash over the listener. Comparisons of "Puzzle" to anything past and present are impossible as this was a unique and serene brand of psychedelia that in terms of musicianship, imagination and timelessness blows away most of the modern ambient "chill-out" dirge that litters todays record store shelves.

For lovers of dreamy psychedelic soundscapes I recommend this as an essential addition to their album collection.

Reviewed by Simon Allen - December 2002

Mandrake Paddle Steamer - Strange Walking Man

1969

Parlophone ‎– R 5780

Track List:

Strange Walking Man, Steam.

Mandrake Paddle Steamer - Strange Walking Man

1996

Hyacinth ‎– 127

Track List:

Strange Walking Man, Steam, Sunlight Glide, Len, Pale Green "Hummmm' Driving Man, Jaywick Cowboy, Overspill, Carmen, Senlac Lament, Cougar and Dark, Janis Suite, Nobody Flies So High, Only Seagulls Fly - Goodbye Uncle Bradie, The Best Years Of Our Lives, Pale Green Vauxhall Driving Man.

Mandrake Paddle Steamer - Pandemonium Shadow Show

2019

Sommor ‎– SOMM045

Track List:

Pandemonium Shadow Show, Solitair Husk, Stella Mermaid, The World Whistles By, Upminster Windows, Doris The Piper, The Doorway To January, Simple Song, The October Country.

The Marble Phrogg - The Marble Phrogg

1968

Derrick 8868

Track List :

I'm So Glad, Love Me Again, Born to Be Wild, I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better, Fields Of
Sun, Fire, Ryder, Connection, Strange Brew, There's A Girl, Season of The Witch, Sky Pilot.

Review:

This is one of THE most sought after albums of the psychedelic age (original copies change hands for hundreds/thousands of dollars).

It lives and breathes on reputation alone. Traders love it and it often recieves great reviews. However, I'm sorry, I just don't get it. It's not a horrible record, but to me, its not a great one either.

This is one of those albums where I was very disappointed when I first heard it. I call this the "Mona Lisa syndrome". We see that painting all the time on postcards, t-shirts, posters, books, TV etc. It is so familiar and over-hyped that when you see the real painting you are inevitably disappointed with it (its much smaller than expected, its behind bullet proof glass, there are a hundred other people looking at it).

Same with The Marble Phrogg LP. In my book, cover versions should be decent interpretations of the original song (i.e. "Gloria" by The Blues Magoos , Dino Valenti's "Hey Joe" by The Leaves/Love/Jimi Hendrix, "Codine" by The Charlatans etc.).

But frankly, The Phroggs versions are no better, nor are they very original interpretations. To be perfectly blunt they sound as if they are just going through the motions and are on "autopilot" throughout the album. Their version of "I'm So Glad" pales in comparison to The Litter's awesome fuzz-scorched version (which to me is BETTER than the original). With the exception of some cool fuzz leads here and there, this is back to basics stuff. It just doesn't live up to all the hype. Do yourself a favour, don't pay huge amounts for it or its re-issue, find yourself a hip friend with a groovy record collection and ask them kindly to make you a good copy on CD or MD.

Reviewed by BlueMagoo - July 2002

Mariani - Perpetuum Mobile

1969

Fanny

Track List:

First Song, Second Song, Third Song, Fourth Song, Mendor-Breaker Pt. 1, Mendor-Breaker Pt. 2, Pulsar.

Markley - A Group (6th WCPAEB album)

1969

Forward ‎– ST-F-1007

Track List:

Booker T & His Electric Shock, Next Plane To The Sun, Roger The Rocket Ship, Elegent Ellen, Little Ruby Rain, Message For Miniature/Sarah The Sad Spirit, Truck Stop, Zoom Zoom Zoom, Sweet Lady Eleven, The Magic Cat, Outside/Inside.

For the rest of West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band albums go HERE

Marshan - Kings Thursday On The Friday Street

2001

Casket

Track List:

Purple Demon Blues, Mutton Chop Hop, Deep & Meaningless, Funky Fork Song, Summer Hill Song, Needle Eye.

Review:

I don't know too much about Marshan, other than that they have apparently been touring heavily with Orange Goblin, they come from Scotland and this their debut(?) album was released in June 2001.

I hear also that they have managed to get some airplay on various radio stations, including Radio 1 which is impressive. I guess this is good as my opinions have not been influenced by anything other than this promo. Musically Marshan are very much in the Stoner/Hard Rock vein but of their own refreshing style that does not get bogged down like too many Sludgecore/Doomentia bands (which I hate..) and really rocks out in it's own way.

Kings Thursday On The Friday Street is a 6 track Mini LP (or 7 if you count the 'hidden' drunken blues jam tacked on the end of Needle Eye) and is full of Good 'Ol Ass Kickin Grooves that are much more individual than the likes of Orange Goblin. We look forward to much more from Marshan who have great potential.

For more info check out http://www.burieddreams.com/marshan/freemusic.html

Reviewed by pOoTer - November 2001

Marmalade - There's A Lot Of It About

1968

CBS – 63414

Track List:

Lovin' Things, I Shall Be Released, I See The Rain, Hey Joe, Summer In The City, There Ain't No Use In Hanging On, Piece Of My Heart, Wait For Me Mary-Anne, Mr. Tambourine Man, Chains, Mr. Lion, Station On Third Avenue, Mess Around, Man In A Shop.

Marmalade - Reflections Of The Marmalade

1970

Decca – SKL 5047

Track List:

Super Clean Jean, Carolina In My Mind, I'll Be Home (In A Day Or So), And Yours Is A Piece Of Mine, Some Other Guy, Kaleidoscope, Dear John, Fight Say The Mighty, Reflections Of My Life, Life Is.

Marsupilami - Marsupilami

1970

Transatlantic Records – TRA 213

Track List:

Dorian Deep, Born To Be Free, And The Eagle Chased The Dove To Its Ruin, Ab Initio Ad Finem (The Opera), Facilis Descencus Averni.

Mary Butterworth

1969

Clear Spot

Track List:

Phase II, Optional Blues, It’s A Hard Road, Make You Want Me, Feeling I Get, Week In Eight Days.

May Blitz - May Blitz

1970

Vertigo ‎– 6360 007

Track List:

Smoking The Day Away, I Don't Know?, Dreaming, Squeet, Tomorrow May Come, Fire Queen, Virgin Waters.

May Blitz - The 2nd Of May

1971

Vertigo ‎– 6360 037

Track List:

For Mad Men Only, Snakes And Ladders, The 25th Of December 1969, "In Part", 8 Mad Grim Nits, High Beech, Honey Coloured Time, Just Thinking.

Mayo Thompson - Corkys Dept To His Father

1970

Texas Revolution 2270

Track List:

The lesson, Oyster thins, Horses, Dear Betty baby, Venus in the morning, To you, Fortune, Black legs, Good brisk blues, Around the home, Worried worried.

Maypole - Maypole

1971

Colossus ‎– CS-1007

Track List:

Glance At The Past, Show Me The Way, Henry Stared, Changes Places, Under A Wave, Look At Me, Johnny, Come Back, You Were, In The Beginning, Dozy World, Stand Alone.

MC5 - Kick Out The Jams

1969

Elektra (ekl 74042)

Track List:

Ramblin' rose, Kick out the jams, Come together, Rocker reducer No.62, Borderline, Motor city is burning, I want you right now, Starship.

Review:

It takes a lot of guts to make your debut album a live one, especially if your working theme is "revolution". But that is what the Motor City Five (MC5) did with this album, which showcases a wall of sound approach utilising heavy metal riffs before anyone knew to call it heavy metal. If Blue Cheer was the father of this genre, then the MC5 were the mother_____s.

And they used that word, at least if you can get the original version of this album, in the revolutionary rhetoric that flavours the beginnings of some of the tracks. Revolution aside, this album kicks butt, takes names, and asks for no quarter.

Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith trade lead and tandem lead guitar chores (check out the ending of "Rocket Reducer No.62") with an unabashed mastery of feedback excess.

The band ventures into territory usually only travelled by vintage-era Pink Floyd or Sun Ra in the science fiction number of "Starship", goes for the big nasty on "I Want You Right Now" (complete with adult-orientated soundeffects), and is capable of doin' a scorching blues number in "Motor City Is Burning". And let us not forget the classic title cut of "Kick Out The Jams", which was later covered by Blue Oyster Cult, only with less enthusiasm.

All the "political" consciousness aside, the MC5 was one kick-butt band and this classic album proves it. Play it loud and irritate the neighbors.

Reviewed by Lawrence A. Strid

MC5 - Back In The USA

1970

Atlantic (2400 016)

Track List:

Tutti Frutti, Tonight, Teenage List, Looking At You, Let Me Try, High School, Call Me Animal, The American Ruse, Shakin' Street, The Human Being Lawnmower, Back In The U.S.A.

Review:

First off, this AIN’T no psychedelic album. But it deserves to be here in Pooterland because it is definitely a ‘mind altering’ album. It definitely altered many people’s attitudes towards heavy rock and did a good job of redefining it.

The opening track ‘Tutti Frutti’ lasts barely two minutes, but sets the frantic pace for the rest of the record. Most of the songs, but especially the sublime ‘Teenage Lust’ are played with harmonic ferocity and speed – punk with polish, if you like.

Yet amidst the adrenaline you find "Let Me Try", a surprisingly moving ballad that suggests a Hell’s Angel trying to get in touch with his softer side… which may sound a bit ridiculous, but vocalist Rob Tyner pulls it off.
For me, this album beats ‘Kick Out The Jams’ and that should say a lot.

Reviewed by Ar-thur from Trinidad - April 2003

MC5 - High Time

1971

Atlantic (2400 123)

Track List:

Sister Anne, Baby won't ya, Miss X, Gotta keep movin', Future - now, Poison, Over nnd over, Skunk (sonically speaking).

Review:

Conceptually-arranged (in part), lyrically mature and still loud and creative, the MC5 album High Time shows the group developing into a more studio oriented band--a change in the evolution of the group, who had become so well known for their thunderous live set.

Marking a more cohesive release than Back In The U.S.A. had been (as an LP overall), High Time is filled with ironic promise, as the group would disband rather shortly after the release of their third album. "Over and Over", "Sister Ann", and "Skunk (Sonically Speaking)" are among the more memorable songs on what is truly a solid album, loaded with Five-style energy and terrific playing (as well as some of Tyner's best vocals), but also an added layer of studio creative consciousness...also likely the group's best-recorded LP, too.

Check out the guest appearances on the LP (Scott Morgan; maybe Bob Seger, too?)--these guys were the heavyweights here in MI at the time, and remain an indelible influence.

Reviewed by Jim T

McDonald & Sherby - Catharsis

1974

Omniscient Records - S80-1426S

Track List:

Addoranne, Sharks Around Blood, Run And Hide, Space Beam, Swim Free, Drivin Me Crazy.

McGough & McGear - McGough & McGear

1968

Parlophone – PMC 7047

Track List:

So Much To Love, Little Bit Of Heaven, Basement Flat, From ''Frink, A Life In The Day Of'' And Summer With Monika - Prologue, Introducing: Moaning, Anji, Come Close And Sleep Now, Yellow Book, House In My Hear, Mr Tickle, Living Room, Do You Remember, Please Don't Run Too Fast, Ex Art Student.

Mellow Candle - Swaddling Songs

1972

Deram SDL7

Track List:

Heaven heath, Sheep season, The Poet and the Witch, Messabger birds, Dan the wing, Reverend sisters, Break your token, Buy or beware, Vile excesses, Lonely man, Boulders on my grave.

Mellow Candle - The Virgin Prophet

1994

Kissing Spell ‎– KSF004

Track List:

Heaven Heath, Waterman Weatherman, Sheep Season, Buy Or Beware, Break Your Token, Lonely Man, Lords Of The Green, Grass, Dan The Wing, Silver Song, Poet & The Witch, Boulders On My Grave, Reverend Sisters, Crabtree, Mobile Line, Faustus.

The Melted Americans - The Melted Americans

1988

Mad Hatter TMA 004 (LP) (US)

Track List:

Your love is bringing me down, Any little man, Straightface, Wait for good times, Bitter brown, Little pall bearer, Visions rare, Never hang you up, Harold Small, Things I said today, It’s a day.

Review:

As soon as I had in my hand the marvellous album “Kings of the desert” by The Badgeman and read the title of the opening track “The secret diary of Jim Morrison’s bastard son aged 19 ¾”, I thought of the stunning debut by The Melted Americans, because when I listened to it the first time, I convinced myself that the lead vocalist of this band really could be the illegitimate son of the King Lizard, being impressive the likeness between their voices, but such analogy was far from the next warm and deep imitation that Glenn Danzig performed in “Lucifuge”. Here, on the contrary, the singing is wild and dirty with peculiarities typically “garage”.

The whole record is so much pervaded with West Coast fragrances embroidered by a farfisa organ, so that the indication on the back of the sleeve “1987, 1988 Westbury, NY” would seem a misprint, to rectify into “1967, 1968 SF, CA”, but be careful: later on I found a similar philological rigour only in the equally indispensable Event’s “This is…” and Stairs’ “Mexican R’n’B”.

Two leaders’ talent on writing very fine songs can be compared with the one showed by Moby Grape on their first album, really!

On the next two records “Evil monkey bowl” and “100,000 songs from the land of the snows” they tried to “modernize” their winning formula, losing the spirit that breathed through this excellent revelation.

Submitted by Roberto (The Wrong Way) - August 2003

Merrell Fankhauser - Fapardokly

1966

Five Hours Back (re-release) TOCK 003

Track List :

Lila, The music scene, Sorry for yourself, Glass chandelier, Tomorrows girl, Suzie cryin, Mr clock, Gon to pot, No retreat, Too many heartbreaks, When I get home, Supermarket.

Merry Airbrakes - Merry Airbrakes

1973

St. George International ‎– ST06

Track List:

Vigilante Man, Frog Song, The Bearded Man, Quang Tri City, Even Those Among Us, Draft Board Blues, Three Hearts, A Happy Song For Hanoi, Preacher Song, Tribute To Frankie.

Michael Angelo - Michael Angelo

1977

Guinn Records ‎– 1050

Track List:

Flight Of Pegasus, Oceans Of Fantasy, The World To Be, Lost In The Pain, Checkout, Bon Jour Mr. VIP, Journey (To Find Who We Are), Inner Reflections, Field Of Lonely Eyes, Future.

Michael Moorcock & The Deep Fix - The New Worlds Fair

1975

United Artists Records ‎– UAG.29732

Track List:

Candy Floss Cowboy, Fair Dealer, Octopus, Sixteen Year Old Doom, You're A Hero, Song For Marlene, Come To The Fair, In The Name Of Rock And Roll, Ferris Wheel, Last Merry Go Round, Dude's Dream (Rolling In The Ruins).

Michaelangelo - One Voice Many

1971

Columbia ‎– C 30686

Track List:

West, Come To See Me, This Bird, Son (We've Kept The Room Just The Way You Left It), Medley: Take It Bach / Michaelangelo, It's Crying Outside, 300 Watt Music Box, Okay, Half A Tap, One Voice Many.

Michele - Saturn Rings

1969

ABC Records ‎– ABCS-684

Track List:

Would You Like To Go, Blind As You Are, Song To Magic, Fallen Angel, Spinning, Spinning, Spinning, Know Yourself, Musty Dusty, Lament Of The Astro Cowboy, White Linen, Misty Mirage, Believe You.

Mighty Baby - Mighty Baby

1969

Head HDLS 6002

Track List:

Egyptian Tomb, A Friend You Know But Never See, I've Been Down So Long, Same Way From The Sun, House Without Windows, Trials Of A City, I'm From The Country, At A Point Between Fate And Destiny.

Review:

The Action, a happy, moddy, fun band became a mystical psychedelic band so quickly you couln't even blink. All it needed was some Coltrane, some serious jazz and rock and some acid-inspired Indian ragas for one of the greatest jam bands that England has ever produced to merge into the Great Mighty Baby. A little bit of sax here, a country guitar twang there, and a few keyboard flourishes over there metamorphosed a mod band into one of Britain's finest psychedelic bands.

They produced the odd track between those old moddy Action songs and their rebirth as Mighty Baby (whose idea was that transfiguring name?), which can be heard on the end of their first MB album when you buy the CD. Very fine they are too, hope you check them out.

Their first album was released with a gatefold sleeeve and 4-colour printing and extra heavy vinyl. I didn't know what I was letting myself in for.....Egyptian Tomb sounds uncannily like a Rolling Stones number for the first ten seconds or so. "I was born in a world that can easily bring you down." sounds so much like "I was caught in a cross-fire hurricane." you have to think they are performing a cheap rip off, but Martin Stone's immediate reply is a stunning volley of flying, over-sustained licks which immediately warn you that you are in serious psychedelic territory.

Let's hark back to the most psychedelic art of any album of the 1970s except possibly Hapshash, and it just invites a superbly psychy experience. How I remember buying this superb album, happy days!

The features of the album are Martin Stone's superb raga guitar, slightly bluesy and slightly heavy metal, Ian Whiteman's ecstatic falsetto vocals, the keyboards whch are never going to stop, and Roger Powell's drumming...thudding but always adding gentle touches here and there.

There's gentle country touches, heavy cosmic throb and slight metallic touches. I won't spoil your enjoyment of this album by analysing it too much, I'll just let you go for it. Just to let you know my favourite track is "Same Way From The Sun" with its false ending and white light finale.

They went on to produce "Jug of Love" which now has the awesome "Blanket In My Muesli" as an extra track, and the hard to find but well worth seeking out "Live In The Attic" This band went on to the very highest jamming standards before they collapsed.

The English Grateful Dead that could have could have been.
They're still out there. Seek and you will find.

Reviewed by DoctorDark - March 2002

Mighty Baby - Jug Of Love

1971

Blue Horizon 2931 001

Track List:

Jug of Love, The Happiest Man In The Carnival, Keep On Juggin', Virgin Spring, Tasting The Life, Slipstreams

.

Miles Over Matter - The Vagabonds Of Psychedelia (The Anthology 1980 - 1982)

2015

Paisley Archive ‎– PA037

Track List:

Something’s Happening Here, Little Smoke, Fly Like A Fly, Park My Car, Love Song, I Saw You There, It’s All Too Much, (Good Night) Almost Perfect Being, Postcard Dreams, I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night), Dare, Truth, Kiss or Promise, Official Paradise, Naked Truth.

Live Tracks
Pushin’ Too Hard, Scribble And Scratch, Screaming MiMi's, Tightrope Walker In The Dark, Miles Over Matter, God Has Given Me The Sack, Kings Of Rock And Roll.

Miracle Workers - Overdose

1987

Loves Simple Dreams EFA 7206

Track List:

Rock ‘n’ roll revolution in the streets, Lights camera action, Just can’t find a better way to waste your time, No use, Without her around, When a woman calls my name, She’s got a patron saint, Teenage head, When are you gonna care, Little doll.

Review:

Real Scary US Garage punk served up on psychedelic purple vinyl and including their 1987 European Tour poster, which is also very cool.

These guys do fast US Garage Punk played with conviction and style, why wasn’t this band massive? Opening with the truly great Rock ‘n’ Roll Revolution In The Streets, this album is full of good quality Garage/Punk. Ain’t No Use is delivered with a force equivalent to N.Y’s Fuzztones, without Her Around rocks out Pebbles style.

Side Two opens with the great When A Woman Calls My Name, running into She’s Got A Patron Saint in a more laid back ballad style.

A quick change of pace is provided by an ripping Teenage Head the breakneck punker that is When Are You Gonna Care and closing in fine style with an interesting cover of The Stooges Little Doll.

Reviewed by pOoTer.

Miracle Workers - Primary Domain

1989

Glitterhouse

Track List:

The Most Righteous Way, 69 Ways, Ninety Nine, Long Gone On Her Night Train, Your Brown Eyes, Mary Jane, She Came To Stay, Tick Tock, Earlier Today.

Review:

A couple of years on and The Miracle Workers sound is more polished and rock orientated with less of the scuzziness that shaped Overdose. Leaning perhaps into Blue Cheer and Stooges riff territory instead of their Garage roots with much cleaner production.

Gone too are the paisley shirts and are replaced with black leather.

Reviewed by pOoTer.

Mirkwood - Mirkwood

1973

Flams Ltd – PR 1067

Track List:

Take My Love, Loves Glass Of Sunshine, Just Because, The Leech, The Vision, Clockwise, Lavendula.

The Misunderstood - Before The Dream Faded

1981

Cherry Red

Track List :

Children Of The Sun. My Mind. Who Do You Love. I Unseen. Find A Hidden Door. I Can Take You To The Sun. Im Not Talking. Whos Been Talking. I Need Your Love. You Dont Have To Go Out. I Cried My Eyes Out. Like I Do.

Review:

OK first things first - GET THIS ALBUM... no matter how much you have to pay for this compilation of the Misunderstood, you MUST MUST MUST get it...I would recommend it just for the first half of the CD/LP...a fantastic session taped in 1967/8 when the band came to England for a short spell with John Peel...and promptly blew the lid off Psychedelia as we know it...

The key to their sound I personally feel is the squawking and screeching of Glenn Campbell's fuzzed up steel guitar...this takes the songs to new directions...there are plenty of amazing reverb washed tracks which blend into subtle acoustic numbers of great beauty.

The liner notes suggest the Misunderstood were best appreciated at their few gigs in London, I have read that many big acts stole lighting/effects ideas from the Misunderstood's live sets to use in their own...Sadly no live recorded material is said to exist...

The second side is made up of an early 1965/6 acetate of bluesy material...not quite as startling as the first side, but this is blues with a psychedelic feel to it, Glenn Campbell is just beginning to stamp his lap steel sound on the songs.

Overall, a really good set, the first 6 songs make it worth the purchase price alone...I understand 'Golden Glass' is also a compilation worth getting hold of, the band after this formed Juicy Lucy, who had a harder rockier edge.

Reviewed by James the Bin - October 2001

The Misunderstood - The Legandary Gold Star Album/Golden Glass

1997

Cherry Red CDBRED 142

Track List:

Gold Star:

Blues with A Feeling, Who’s Been Talking, You Got Me Dizzy, You Don’t Have To Go Out, Goin’ To New York, Shake Your Money Maker, I Just Want To Make Love To You, I’m Not Talkin’.

Golden Glass:

Never Had A Girl (Like You Before), Golden Glass, I Don’t Want To Discuss It, Little Red Rooster, (You’re) Tuff Enough, Freedom, Keep On Running, I’m Crusing.

Moby Grape - Moby Grape

1967

Columbia CS 9498

Track List:

Hey Grandma, Mr. Blues, Fall on you, 8:05, Come in the morning, Omaha, Naked, if I want to, Someday, Ain’t no use, Sitting by the window, Changes, Lazy me, Indifference.

Review:

You could say that this band was a victim of unintended hype. For the first time a band wanted to release five singles of one album in one go. Just trying to speed things up. Yet it worked unjustifiably against them.
For their first album is a masterpiece. Due to release problems and the wrong mixes of the singles for radio-airplay, the album didn't receive the treatment it deserved.

The Moby Grape is now only known to rock-critics, old hippies and rockfans who dig deeper than just reading current magazines. Yet I dare to say that the songs of the 'Grape' were just as good as those in the highest ranks of the rockworld. Just look at the attention the Beatles got for some of their worst albums (magical mystery tour (interesting but sloppy), white album (interesting but overdone, sometimes embarrasing), Let it Be (a cause for breakup and recording-disaster despite the good material).

The Buffalo Springfield ( more or less their competitors ) was legendary but it never played/recorded so tight as the Grape. Their first album sound's ' woolly ' compared with the Grape. If the Springfield would have had one third of the Grape-sound and less quarells it would have made it. Yet Stephen stills maintains the Grape 'stole' their sound, wich I don't believe. Its like the Sitar or Feedback-discussions, who was first? I just think that in that period a lot of groups got idea's at the same time.

Sadly the group was also and still is the victim of a man not worthy to mention his name. Their recordings are still not released in a propper way (double cd "Vintage Grape" is the exeption). Because this so-called manager owns the rights to the groups name and music.

The Grape's music is a mixture of positive sound (mama's and papa's type) yet embedded in heavy guitar driven rock. This heavy sound meanders from country/funk/soul to blues and psychedelic tones. Some tracks are melodicly beautiful like the track '8.05"or the rocking immediacy of Hey Grandma/Falling on You. Omaha is psychedelic and the quieter tracks are dramatic like "Lazy Me". Later albums showed flashes of the same strength. Yet the damadge had already been done.

The group lost a lot of its power to mismanagement and other 'circumstances'. Therefore the follow-up albums were not balanced or slightly over- produced.

With Moby Grape the rockworld truly has its "lost" great rock group.

Submitted by Darkeye - August 2004

The Mod-est Lads - Trouser Load Of Love

2002

Track List:

Trouser Load Of Love, Sputnik Spy From Outer Space, They Stand Straight Up (When She Lays Down), She Said Bi, She Could Be In The Beatles.

Review:

"They Stand Straight Up (When She Lays Down)," is the only known recording by a long lost British rock band called The Mod-est Lads. Almost nothing is known about them, but according to sources who claim to be reliable, The Mod-est Lads were far and away the most popular group in Bladderpool, England for a brief time in 1966. Even their identities are shrouded in mystery, although it is believed that their first names were Peter (the "paranoid" one), Reggie (the "cooly indifferent" one), Stu (the "anal-retentive" one), and Simon (the "special" one).

If the sources are indeed credible, The Mod-est Lads instantly took Bladderpool by storm with their ultra-stylish wardrobes, catchy arrangements, and light-hearted, often defiantly naughty lyrics. However, just as they seemed destined for superstardom, they abruptly disbanded only a few weeks after exploding onto the scene. The reasons for their break-up are unknown, and the explanations that have been offered are too ludicrous to be taken seriously. All that is known for sure is that they never played again, and were eventually forgotten by all but their most obsessive fans.

Yeah right.......but of course if you are a fan of elaborately constructed 'fictitious groups' like we at Pooterland are then this little ditty will be right up yout street.

UK visitors may recall moments of mythical prowess such as The Cockroaches, Naz Nomad & The Nightmares, Lesbian Dopeheads On Mopeds, Gwyllym & The Rasberry Flavoured Cat and of course The Dukes Of Stratosphear.

Well, The Mod-est Lads fall firmly into into this category and make us smile like idiots every time this catchy little tune gets played. Hey guys, give yourselves a good old British slap on the back for not only an infectious and naughty little song but also some top notch mythology and cool cover art to boot.

The slower people amongst you may still be pondering over the curious title but all razor sharp connoisseurs of the female form will have worked out what They Stand Straight Up (When She Lays Down) is actually all about........"can ya tell what it is yet?"

These crazy dudes from Iowa are charging $4 U.S. for North America and $5 U.S. for everywhere else (includes all shipping and handling charges) for a copy of this cheeky high quality artifact and we reckon it deserves a place in every 'Sixties Head's' novelty and spoof section......'If you're the least bit Mod at all, you won't be able to stop dancing once they start playing their wild, hip-shakin' sounds.'

Reviewed by an inanely grinning pOoTer - February 2002

For Mod-est info point the controls at http://www.mod-estlads.com.........see you in Bladderpool!!

Módulo 1000 - Não Fale Com Paredes

1972

Top Tape ‎– TT-1000

Track List:

Turpe Est Sine Crine Caput, Não Fale Com Paredes, Espêlho, Lem - Ed - Êcalg, Ôlho Por Ôlho, Dente Por Dente, Metrô Mental, Teclados, Salve-Se Quem Puder, Animália.

Moğollar – Danses Et Rythmes De La Turquie D'Hier À Aujourd'hui

1971

Concert Hall – SVS 2698

Track List:

Toroslar, Lorke, Ilgaz, Madimak, Iklig, Cheminées De Fées, Sunset In Golden Horn, Legend Of Mount Ararat, Hamsi,Wild Flower, Cahit, To A Clear Mind, Kaleidoscopic Dream.

Moğollar – Düm-Tek

1975

Coşkun – LP 631

Track List:

Düm-Tek, 7/8 - 9/8, Rue De L´Oriant E.5. Şark Yolu, Kapalı Çarşı, Sun Flower Güne Bakan, Magic Moon Sihirli Ay, Blue Mood Gam Yükü, Water Lilly Nilüfer, Elif, White Deer Alageyik, Fairy Tales Peri Bacaları, Sparrow Serçe.

The Monks - Black Monk Time

1966

Polydor 249900

Track List:

Monk time, Shut Up, Boys Are Boys And Girls Are Choice, Higgle-Dy-Piggle-Dy, I Hate You, Oh How To Do Now, Complication, We Do Wie Du, Drunken Maria, Love Came Tumblin' Down, Blast Off, That's My Girl.

Review:

History of Rock Music Vol. 1: Punk rock WAS NOT invented in 1976 in England by The Sex Pistols. Lets repeat that....Punk Rock was not invented by the British.
Long before the Pistols you had NYC's The Ramones.
Long before The Ramones, there was Detroit, Austin, Chicago etc. etc.

We all know about The Elevators, The MC5, & The Stooges. However, in 1965/1966 something weirdly insane was brewing out in Germany, but it was not German. No, it was five American GI's based in Frankfurt who called themselves "The Monks". They even went as far as wearing monk-like robes and shaved the top of their heads. But hey, forget image (although this was as much a part of it as the music)-these guys played some of the most fearsome Garage Punk ever committed to vinyl. Sure, the MC5 had John sinclair and his ultra-leftist politics behind them, however, The Monks were the real deal man. They worked for Uncle Sam, they fought for Uncle Sam. No, they weren't some teenagers back in the USA smokin' dope, dropping acid and singing about how fucked up the war in Vietnam was.

They were it man. They WERE the system-they were US soldiers. But their patriotic vision of their nation was severely jaundiced.
So much so they recorded these songs as a living testimony. This album is full of manic rhythmic guitar riffing, tribal drumming, insane organ work, and a singer who sounds like he gargles with razor blades and Jack Daniels. Man, these songs ooze attitude.

If only The Fuzztones had this much attitude, then maybe, just maybe the whole dream of a 60's garage/psych revival back in the 1980's really would have taken off and become something. "Black Monk time" opens up with the awesome Bo Diddley beat of "It's Monk Time". Within 15 seconds of this killer beat we are given a lethal dose of fuzz before vocalist, Gary Burger starts to ramble on about how "we don't like the army, whose army? what army? why do you kill all those kids over there in Vietnam, My brother died in Vietnam, James Bond? Who is he?.....we don't like the
atomic bomb....stop it....stop it.... Lets Go, It's Monk Time!" Wow! What an opener. You're instantly hooked and ready to roll. Other highlights include the rowdy, "Complication" and sizzling "I Hate You" with its heart pounding bass lines chugging the song along while Burger wails "Hey, Well I Hate You With A Passion Baby!" while the boys in the background sing "The Commie!".

Turn this baby up loud-very loud and the scorching fuzz guitar lead will literally rip your skull apart. Ahhh...pain never felt so good. However good these tracks are thanks to various compilation appearances The Monks will probably be most remembered for their classic garage scorcher "Higgle-Dy Piggle-Dy", and so, maybe they should be. This is an insane foot-stomper with brain numbingly awesome organ and absolutely earth moving fuzz-guitar. If LBJ really wanted to end the war back in '66 he could have asked the US Army to fly their helicopters over the jungles of Vietnam blasting this song as loud as they could and without doubt it would have flushed the Viet-Cong out of hiding and running straight to Saigon to surrender.

Just awesome and essential for all garage heads/purists, and or lovers of underground 60's music.

Reviewed by BlueMagoo - July 2002

Monster Magnet - Tab

1991

Glitterhouse GRCD 158

Track List:

Tab..., 25, Longhair, Lord 13.

Monster Magnet - Spine Of God

1992

Caroline

Track List :

Pill Shovel, Medicine, Nod Scene, Black Mastermind, Zodiac Lung, Spine Of God, Snake Dance, Sin's A Good Mans Brother, Ozium.

Monster Magnet - Superjudge

1993

A&M

Track List :

Cyclops Revolution. Twin Earth. Superjudge. Cage Around The Sun. Elephant Bell. Dinosaur Vacuum. Evil (is going on). Stadium. Face Down. Brainstorm. Black Balloon.

Review:

Before we get started...This IS NOT HEAVY METAL Ok?

Their place on this site is considered and valid (for these early records anyway), if I added in all the later albums then you would have a good excuse to throw the book at me but just hear me out.

Monster Magnet's sound is psych tinged in many places both musically and lyrically. Their cite their main influences as Hawkwind, Sir Lord Baltimore, Captain Beyond and Wyndorf in interview has listed Nuggets, The Groundhogs, Grand Funk Railroad, Jethro Tull and Bluue Cheer as all being pivotal (many of which you will find on this very site). Couple this with the long obession with Sci-Fi and Comic Books then I think you'll agree their place here is jutified, even if you don't like them!

Kyuss might be the Kings of Stoner Rock (and I'm not sure Monster Magnet really wanted to be dumped into this category anyway), but nothing touches the spitting vitriolic angst of Superjudge.

Clearly there is a big Hawkwind influence on this album but let yourself drift into their world...

This mother is fuelled on 100% Nitro and will fuck your sister while you are not looking. It will burn your neural cortex to a crisp and whip you with what’s left of your withered ganglion. Blistering guitars, evil vocals and gargantuan and thrashing drums deliver a version of Brainstorm like you never though possible and is surrounded by awesome, razor edged slices of malevolent scuzzed up rock.

God help you if you live within 100 miles of these guys..........sleep? I don’t think so.

Monster Magnet? The undisputed last word in heavy spaced out guitar psych..............Swings like Gods own dick

Reviewed by pOoTer.

Mood Six - Hangin Around 7”

1982

EMI ‎– EMI 5300

Track List :

Hangin Around, Mood Music.

Moonkyte - Count Me Out

1971

Mother ‎– SMOT 1

Track List:

Search, It's The Same Thing, Way Out Hermit, Girl Who Came Out Of My Head, Tapestry Girl, Bridge Song, Lead This Sinner On, Where Will The Grass Grow, Lost Weekend, Blues For Boadicea, Happy Minstrel, Jelly Man.

Morgan - Nova Solis

1973

RCA Victor – LISP 34154

Track List:

Samarkhand The Golden, Alone, War Games, Nova Solis (Theme, Floating, Take-Off, Asteroids, Earth, Hyperspace: The Return Home, Nova, May I Remember, Theme.

Morgen - Morgen

1969

Probe ‎– CPLP 4507 S

Track List:

Welcome To The Void, Of Dreams, Beggin' Your Pardon (Miss Joan), Eternity In Between, Purple, She's The Nitetime, Love.

Morly Grey - The Only Truth

1972

Starshine Productions Inc. ‎– 69000

Track List:

Peace Officer, You Came To Me, Who Can I Say You Are, I'm Afraid, Our Time, After Me Again, A Feeling For You, The Only Truth.

The Morlocks - Uglier Than You'll Ever Be!

1997

Midnight

Track List :

I Need You, You Mistreat Me, Leavin Here, Far Away, My Friend the Bird, I Got Nightmares, Outside Looking In, The K, Your Body Not Your Soul, Double Decker Bus, Get Out of My Life Woman, Cry in the Night, By My Side, When The Night Falls.

Morning Dew - Morning Dew

1970

Roulette ‎– SR42049

Track List:

Crusaders Smile, Upon Leaving, Young Man, Then Came The Light, Cherry Street, Gypsy, Something You Say, Country Boy Blue, Save Me, Epic: The Mann / Death Is A Dream.

The Morticians - Freak out with The Morticians

1987

Tin Soldier TIN-1

Track List :

Now she's gone, Action woman, Don't need your lovin', Blackout of gretely, E.S.P., I need you there, Sweet young thing, Spiral bat, Carolyn, Song of a baker, Section 44.

Review:

Redfern Bros. began to play in the mid-80s as The Giant Sunhorse; at the beginning of 1986 they found bassist Ben Jackson and changed name to The Morticians, releasing this delicious sweet at the end of next year. An explosive punk side (those who don't know one original at least, lift up their own hand) and a visionary psych-side made few lucky owners happy... the first pressing of 500 ran out very soon and so did the second one of little more than a thousand, but Ben's leaving caused dissolution. At the end of 1988 a compilation of early recordings (demos and live sets) titled "She's like heroin" came out on Distortion Records.

Reviewed by Roberto from THE WRONG WAY

Motherlight - Bobak, Jons, Malone

1973

Morgan Blue Town – BT 5003

Track List:

Motherlight, On A Meadow Lea, Mona Lose, Wanna Make A Star Sam, House Of Many Windows, Chant, Burning The Weed, The Lens.

The Mothers of Invention - Freak Out

1966

Verve Records ‎– V-5005-2

Track List:

Hungry freaks-daddy, I ain't got no heart, Who are the brain Police?, Go cry on somebody else's shoulder, Motherly love, How could I be such a fool, Wowie Zowie, You didn't try to call me, Any way the wind blows, I'm not satisfied, You're probably wondering why I'm here, Trouble comin' every day, Help I'm a rock, The return of the son of monster magnet.

Review:

This album captures Frank Zappa at a very vulnerable time. He had gone through a divorce, a bust for allegedly making lewd movies and many rejections by record companies of his then rather harmless music. Little did he know how far bitterness will take his own creativity.

To understand Frank Zappa you must listen to Freak Out. This is a truly honest record. Listen to the self loathing in "I'm Not Satisfied", the bitterness of "Anyway the Wind Blows" and the cynical attitude shaping songs like "You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here" and "How could I be Such A Fool". Add in the early protest songs like "Who are the Brain Police" and"Trouble Comming Every Day" and you have the most brilliantly insightful albums of the 60's.

Frank Zappa and the original Mothers went and made two more brilliant records in "Absolutely Free" and "We are Only in It For the Money" but neither of these great records sound as angry and real as "Freak Out" does almost 40 years later.

People often argue about where it all started, some say the Grateful Dead, others say it started with the Yardbirds "Heartful of Soul" in late 64. The people who lived through it credit Ken Kesey and Bill Graham's Fillmore.

Psychedelic music cried for songs to push beyond the limits of 3:00 pop. Frank Zappa's Double album debut set the stage for the Doors and all of the other bands who made long form psychedelic and later Art Rock a popular musical genre.

Reviewed by Lindy Dell - February 2002

The Mothers of Invention - Absolutely Free

1967

Verve (S+/VLP 9174)

Track List:

Plastic people, The duke of prunes, Amnesia vivace, The Duke regains his chops, Call any vegetable, Invocation and ritual dance of the young pumpkin, Soft-cell conclusion and ending of side 1, America drinks, Status back baby, Uncle Bernie's farm, Son of suzy Creamcheese, Brown shoes don't make it, America drinks and goes home.

The Mothers of Invention - Cruising With Ruben & The Jets

1968

Verve Records ‎– V6-5055-X

Track List:

Cheap Thrills, Love Of My Life, How Could I Be Such A Fool, Deseri, I'm Not Satisfied, Jelly Roll Gum Drop, Anything, Later That Night, You Didn't Try To Call Me, Fountain Of Love,"No.No.No.", Anyway The Wind Blows, Stuff Up The Cracks.

Mother Tuckers Yellow Duck - Home Grown Stuff

1968

Duck Records - DR LPS 2001

Track List:

Times Are Changing, No One In Particular, Little Pony, One Glass For Wine, Elevated Platform, Walk Your Head Around, One Ring Jane, Pot O' Gold, Intermission Poetry, Funny Feeling, Blue Dye, Someone Think.

Mother Tuckers Yellow Duck - Starting A New Day

1969

Capitol Records – ST 6352

Track List:

Starting A New Day, Love's Been A Long Time Coming, Middlefield County, True Blue, Natchez Theme (For Natchez), Wood U Call It, Nightfowl, Did You Ever, Collin's Breakdown, A Play On Children.

Mountain – Climbing!

1969

Windfall Records – WINDFALL 4501

Track List:

Mississippi Queen, Theme For An Imaginary Western, Never In My Life, Silver Paper, For Yasgur's Farm, To My Friend, The Laird, Sittin' On A Rainbow, Boys In The Band.

Mountain – Nantucket Sleighride

1971

Windfall Records – WINDFALL 5500

Track List:

Don't Look Around, Taunta (Sammy's Tune), Nantucket Sleighride (For Owen Coffin), You Can't Get Away, Tired Angels (For J.M.H.), The Animal Trainer And The Toad, My Lady, Travelin' In The Dark (For E.M.P.), The Great Train Robbery.

Mountain – Flowers Of Evil

1971

Windfall Records – WINDFALL 5501

Track List:

Flowers Of Evil, King's Chorale, One Last Cold Kiss, Crossroader, Pride And Passion, Dream Sequence, Guitar Solo, Roll Over Beethoven, Dreams Of Milk And Honey, Variations, Swan Theme, Mississippi Queen.

Mountain – Live In The 70s

2021

Voiceprint – VPD621

Track List:

Disc One - New Year Concert 1971

Intro / Never In My Life, Don't Look Around, Mississippi Queen, Baby I'm Down, Long Red, Silver Paper, Guitar Solo.

Disc Two - New Year Concert 1971

The Animal Trainer And The Toad, Nantucket Sleighride, Theme For An Imaginary Western, Travelling In The Dark, Blood Of The Sun, Dreams Of Milk And Honey, Auld Lang Syne.

Disc Three - Live At The Capitol Theatre 1974

Never In My Life, Jingle Bells, Get Out Of My Life Woman, Mississippi Queen, It's For You, Nantucket Sleighride, Roll Over Beethoven, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On, Drum Solo.

Mountain Ash Band - The Hermit

1975

Witches Bane LKLP 6036

Track List :

Birth, Journeys, Stone on Stone, A Long Winter, Who Knows, I’ll Sing For My Supper, The Outcast/Rebirth.

Review:

Its been a long time tracking this legendary recording down (thanks Pete!).

Possibly one of the rarest UK folk gems from 1975, as rare as life itself?. Awesome electric violin and disturbingly haunting vocals tell the depressing story of a Yorkshire hermit named Job Senior. ‘Birth’ sets the scene for what is a profoundly sad album that will leave you deep in thought every time you hear it.

‘Journeys’ a fine piece of violin work runs into ‘Stone on Stone’ which is almost Incredible String Band in vocal style. ‘A long Winter’ tells of the latter stages of Job’s life after his wife dies and he is living alone on the moors of Ilkley. ‘Who Knows’ is a sorry lament as Job ends up living in the remains of his dead wifes house which has been pulled down by her family in an attempt to evict him.

‘The Outcast/Rebirth’ ends the albums tragic story.

Hear it and weep...

Reviewed by pOoTer

Mountain Bus - Sundance

1971

Good Records ‎– G101

Track List :

Sing A New Song; Rosalie; I Don’t Worry About Tomorrow; Sundance; I Know You Rider; Apache Canyon; Hexahedron.

Bonus Tracks on CD:
The Bus Keeps Rollin’; Six Days On The Road; (Meet Me) Down In The Bottom; Ticket In My Pocket; Young Man’s Blues.

Review:

The CD reissue tells the whole sorry story of how this talented and enterprising band from Chicago, whose roots went back to 1962, were stuffed by corporate lawyers representing Leslie West and Felix Papallardi’s disposable Mountain ‘supergroup.’ Thus were we deprived of a massively talented, very inventive and definitely psychedelic band with great potential.

Play this CD to a Deadhead and tell him it’s a volume of lost recordings by the cosmic truckers and he will probably be totally taken in. The vocalist sounds more like Garcia than Jerry, there is a double-drummer backline, and Bill Kees is Jerry’s bottleneck slidin’, 12-string strummin’ and lead guitar rockin’ cousin.

The album starts off in light-hearted country shit-kicking style with ‘Sing a New Song,’ ‘Rosalie,’ and ‘I Don’t Worry About Tomorrow.’ Then the title track takes a more West Coast oriented hippie style with with its floaty vocals and a nice workout from Kees, the wah-wah kicking in halfway through the jam, underpinned with, yes, Lesh-like bass, and occasional acoustic guitar flourishes.

Then it gets serious with ‘Know You Rider,’ which although being a Dead staple, is not the most Grateful sounding song on the set. It is a beautifully interpreted 10-minute workout with more acidy wah-wah guitar jams, rounded out with slide acoustic guitar, and a nice tempo change in the middle, lifting it to a higher plane, a dab of feedback, and then back to earth with a gentle finale. ‘Apache Canyon’ is sheer cosmic bliss, loads of acoustic, 12-strings, electric feedback, tinkling bells, and a beautiful spaced-out feel. It’s an aperitif for the 9-minute ‘Hexahedron’ which continues the spacey, jamming vibe. Early Country Joe meets Jefferson Airplane at Pooneil and Haight!

There’s an extra five tracks (25 minutes worth) of live recordings, which returns us to the boogieing feel of the opening songs. Over an hour’s worth of varied and brilliant psychedelic, guitar-oriented jamming.

Don’t let this one get away. You’re either on the Bus or off the Bus!

Reviewed by DoctorDark

Mourning Phase - Mourning Phase

1971

Eden - LP 45

Track List:

Ring Out The Bells, August Song, Smile Song, Dross, Putrescence, Damn Your Eyes, Contrived.

The Move - Move

1968

Regal Zonophone – LRZ 1002

Track List:

Yellow Rainbow, Kilroy Was Here, (Here We Go Round) The Lemon Tree, Weekend, Walk Upon The Water, Flowers In The Rain, Hey Grandma, Useless Information, Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart, The Girl Outside, Fire Brigade, Mist On A Monday Morning, Cherry Blossom Clinic.

The Move - Looking On

1970

Fly Records - FLY 1

Track List:

Looking On, Turkish Tram Conductor Blues, What?, When Alice Comes Back To The Farm, Open Up Said The World At The Door, Brontosaurus, Feel Too Good.

The Move - Shazam

1970

Regal Zonophone – SLRZ 1012

Track List:

Hello Susie, Beautiful Daughter, Cherry Blossom Clinic Revisited, Fields Of People, Don't Make My Baby Blue, The Last Thing On My Mind.

The Move - Message From The Country

1971

Harvest – SHSP 4013

Track List:

Message From The Country, Ella James, No Time, Don't Mess Me Up, Until Your Moma's Gone, It Wasn't My Idea To Dance, The Minister, Ben Crawley Steel Company, The Words Of Aaron, My Marge.

Moving Sidewalks - Flash

1968

Akarma AK 117

Track List :

Flashback, Scoun Da Be, You Make Me Shake, You Don’t Know The Life, Pluto Sept 31st, No Good To Cry, Crimson Witch, Joe Blues, Eclipse, Reclipse, 99th Floor, What Are You Going To Do, I Want To Hold Your Hand, Need Me, Every Night A New Surprise.

We all know Texas helped with it's fair share of great psych bands in the mid to late 60's.

This Moving Sidewalks album happens to kick the shit out of them all.

Dont get me wrong the 13th Floor was lysergic, & Cold Sun was very psychedelicious. But upon hearing Flash, this 15 track album, I came to find there's NOT a square song on there.(Except maybe Eclipse & Reclipse, two interlude type trip pieces).

Starring in his psych prime; Billy Gibbons of eventual ZZ Top fame, delivering the 60s guitar fuzz we all love, alongside Tom Moore on keyboards, making it a classic psych album.

They sound alot more produced and alot more technical than most Texas groups of the era, with the exclusion of maybe Bubble Puppy.The songs "Pluto Sept. 31st" & "Crimson Witch" have a soft, slight Jimi Hendrix Experience sound to them, vocally and guitar wise. "Joe Blues" is a tasty blues jam with sweet solos at the end, "I Want To Hold Your Hand" is a loose Beatles cover done slow sluggish & heavy. "99th Floor" was their hit single & you can see why, very simple very groovy. "Scoun Da Be", "You Make Me Shake" & "No Good To Cry" are candy to the ears. "Every Night A New Surprise" enters with a shaking tambourine and a repedititive riff, sounds a bit like Keith Relf & The Yardbirds, not a bad thing.

Finally "Flashback" is a great song that i didnt completely dig at first, its guitar work gets more wild as it goes, then as its climaxing it stops, turns to soft bongos and a groovy acoustic chord sang softly to a finish.

I've tried to think of other groups to compare, but this band really seems to have done its own thing, and very well. A wonderful combination of blues rock coated with psychedelia.

Moving Sidewalks Do NOT dissappoint.

I say 4 cubes for this one people.

Reviewed by LSDane - November 2009

Mr. Fox - Mr. Fox

1970

Transatlantic Records – TRA 226

Track List:

Join Us In Our Game, The Hanged Man, The Gay Goshawk, Rip Van Winkle, Mr. Trills Song, Little Woman, Salisbury Plain, The Ballad Of Neddy Dick, Leaving The Dales, Mr. Fox.

Murphy Blend - First Loss

1970

Kuckuck – 2375 005

Track List:

At First, Speed Is Coming Back, Past Has Gone, Präludium / Use Your Feet, First Loss, Funny Guys, Happiness.

Music Emporium - S/T

1969

Sundazed SC 6166

Track List :

Nam Myo Renge Kyo, Velvet Sunsets, Prelude, Catatonic Variations, Times Like This, Gentle Thursday, Winds Have Changed, Cage, Sun Never Shines, Day Of Wrath.
Bonus Tracks:
Nam Myo Renge Kyo (instrumental), Velvet Sunsets (instrumental), Winds Have Changed (instrumental), sun Never Shines (instrumental), Gentle Thursday (instrumental).

Review:

"There is no question that there will be peace on earth, but will man be here to enjoy it?". This is the question we are asked by Casey Cosby at the end of the Music Emporium's truly awesome 36 minutes of shimmering psychedelia. Unfortunately, 33 years later, we still live in a world of hate, yet thankfully, we do have this fascinating testimony from a different time, and place.

The Music Emporium is one of THE all-time greatest psychedelic albums ever recorded. Without a daft track on it, it has everything one wants from a late 60's release- driving rhythms, heavy guitar work, swirling, church-like organ, and even a groovy hippie chick who sings the ballads. What more can one ask for? In fact, the song, "Cage" has it all neatly packed within five minutes-orchestral organ, pulsating bass, blistering guitar leads, and druggy/quasi-religious lyrics. At times this album is pure beauty ("Velvet Sunsets", "Gentle Thursday", "Winds Have Changed"), other times it can be deeply dark and brooding heavily on the
listener with its quasi-religious mysticism and druggy undertones and themes ("Nam Myo Renge Kyo", "Catatonic Variations", "Cage", "Day of Wrath"). Yet then for fun the band throw in the superb foot-stomper "Times Like This".

Psychedelic fans, if you are reading this yet don't own this gem, stop what you are doing now and go to the SunDazed Records website and buy this album (SunDazed are the only company to "officially" re-issue this record-don't buy an inferior copy).

Truly splendid. Pray for peace.

Reviewed by BlueMagoo - July 2002

My Indole Ring - My Indole Ring

2000

Shadoks - 024

Track List:

Orange Float Petals, Love People Everywhere, Another Man Done Gone/Troubles, Blue Wax, The Morning Breaks, Silk Road, Big City, Two Trains A Running, Maryjane, All Your Love, Pretty Baby, Wake Me Shake Me (Live), Come See Me In The Morning / Orange Float Petals (Live).

My Solid Ground - My Solid Ground

1971

Bacillus Records ‎– 6494 008

Track List:

Dirty Yellow Mist, Flash Party IV, That's You, The Executioner, Melancholie, Handful Of Grass, Devonshire Street W1, "x".

Mystic Siva - S/T

1970

World in Sound WIS-1002

Track List:

Keeper of the keys, And when you go, Eyes have seen me, Come on closer, Sunshine is too long, Spinning a spell, Supernatural mind, Find out why, Magic luv, Touch the sky, In a room.

Review:

Seeing this album described somewhere as a cornerstone of late 60's psychedelia was certainly enough to make me rush out and buy it so I could decide for myself. The 2001 CD re-issue is housed in a rather grand day-glo orange hard-backed digi-pack, somewhat fitting for the psychedelic masterpiece within. Although this is undoubtedly a pivotal release of the era, as it was actually recorded in 1970 I'd be more inclined to describe is as one of the finest reconstructions of the classic psychedelic acid rock sound that by that stage was already in decline.

Here we have a bunch of incredibly talented and sussed musicians (amazingly still in high school and not a day over 17 at the time of recording) mixing up large measures of 'Anthem of the Sun', 'Happy Trails', 'Disraeli Gears', 'Are You Experienced ', and much of the Doors song book, with studied precision and adding a healthy dose of wide-eyed youthful vitality and awe. This is not to say the album is anyway derivative or unoriginal as every single track bursts with freshness of ideas and excitement.

There is simply not a bad track here, not even an average track, in fact all eleven tracks can equally be described as standout.

A few of my personal favourites include the breakbeat driven 'Eyes have seen me', even in the title no effort is made to hide the 'Strange Days'-era Doors influence. Then it's Hammond to the fore and a blistering acid lead guitar solo in 'Spinning a spell' which does exactly what it says on the tin, Witchcraft indeed! 'Find out why' is a gently melancholic semi-acoustic number with ethereal keyboard work whose exquisite beauty peaks around 2:20, and finally 'In a room' with its crazed Hammond, wah-wah guitar and tripped-out King Lizard styled theatrics.

If you dig organ driven tracks with lots of liquid acid guitar soloing and drenched in the classic acid rock influences from 67-69, don't delay go hunt it down cause 'Mystic Siva' is an essential album for your collection.

Reviewed by Simon Allen - June 2003

The Mystic Tide - Solid Sound

1991

Distortions DB-1006

Track List:

I wouldn't care, Why, Stay away, I search for new love, Mystic eyes, Frustration, running throught the night, Psychedelic Journey Pt.1, Psychedelic Journey Pt.2, Mystery ship, you won't look back, You know it's true, It's Simple Sister, Mystery ship, Frustration, Silver rails - Going home, See the light, Solid ground.