The Battlemen - Call To Arms (LP mono version) (USA 2008)

Described to me as 'Psychedelic medieval rock' by JoDee Purkeypile (who is also a member of PLANET RYE CO, posted recently) 'Call to Arms' by THE BATTLEMEN comes along as a great psychedelic garage album with surprising lyrics and themes, musically clearly rooted in mid/late-60ies psych-garage-punk and pop-psyke.

"The Battlemen are the electric minstrels of Bastrop, Texas. Forging a unique sound comprising garage rock, folk, blues, & jazz, the group released their debut album on Emerald Wood in December 2008. Among it's musical joys are the underground hit single "Psychedelic Moat", the fire-side gem "Fire Axe", the ridiculous romp of "Gigantic Spider", and the epic oddity "Demon in the Queen's Court". The band has yet to perform live in concert, but a show has been arranged for August, 2009. Visit the Battlemen on Myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/thebattlemen for further details. Until then enjoy the mono magic of CALL TO ARMS..." (info from: http://emeraldwoodrecords.blogspot.com/)

'Psychedelic medieval rock'? ... aahm, wait a minute!

But then, why not? Remember THE PRETTY THINGS' psych masterpiece from 1968? Those guys were singing about burning balloons and Privates in a strange turn of the century war... So why not an album full of riding knights, magic axes, demons and witches? And what an album it is! At least some of these 11 songs should be on every psych head's play list.

Recommended (not only to fans of THE DUKES OF STRATOSPHEAR, NUGGETS, RUBBLE and the like)!

Favourite tracks: 'Witch of Colors' and 'Oubliette Blues'

The Battlemen - Call To Arms

(LP mono version) (USA 2008)

(MP3-ZIP, 11 tracks, 29 min, front cover incl., 65,3 MB)

Get it here (new link 2023-09)!

Cabinet of Natural Curiosities - Searchlight Needles (USA 2009)

"CABINET OF NATURAL CURIOSITIES, based in Missoula, MT and Brooklyn, NY, is the project of songwriter Jasmine Dreame Wagner, who collaborates with a rotating cast of musicians in both cities. The music is sparse, wistful, psychedelic-tinged americana with elements of electronica and dark ambient sound. CABINET's albums are completely handmade -- home-recorded, hand-stamped and assembled." (Xavier from CONC / For Arbors / For Satellites)

'Searchlight Needles' was recorded over 2007 and 2008 and released in 2009.

"Founded in 2005 by songwriter and visual artist Jasmine Dreame Wagner, Cabinet of Natural Curiosities weaves a tapestry of cinematic ballads and soundscapes from threads of folk and electronica. Performed by an evolving cast of artists and musicians, Cabinet’s haunting folk chants, noise instrumentals and ghost stories rise and fall from field recordings, acoustic and electric guitars, alto and tenor recorders, xylophone, keyboards and percussion..." (press info)

Gentle, intimate folk songs played on acoustic guitar with added ambient, sometimes electronic, sounds; at times quite disturbing, often there's something menacing underneath the peaceful atmosphere – excellent music!

Reminds me slightly of late 60ies UK folk Jazz band THE PENTANGLE in places (e.g. vocals on 'Black Water')

Favourite tracks: 'Glass' and 'For Sparrow'

http://www.cabinetofnaturalcuriosities.com

http://www.myspace.com/jasminedreamewagner

http://www.last.fm/music/Cabinet+of+Natural+Curiosities

In addition to “Searchlight Needles,” Cabinet’s full length handmade CDr, “Vineland,” and CDr EP, “Glass v Grass” are available from For Arbors / For Satellites. Check 'em out (at http://www.cabinetofnaturalcuriosities.com) and PLEASE SUPPORT THE ARTIST.

Cabinet of Natural Curiosities - Searchlight Needles (USA)

(mp3-zip, 10 tracks, 96,3 MB, 53 min)

Sorry, no longer available!

Check out for downloads

http://ampeatermusic.com/catalog

Cabinet of Natural Curiosities - Vineland (CDR) (USA 2007)

My second post with music by CABINET OF NATURAL CURIOSITIES. Similar in style to "Searchlight Needles", probably even a little bit more on the experimental side. 'Vineland' was recorded over 2005 and 2006 and released 2007.

The cover artwork for this one are each hand-sewn and, like "Searchlight Needles", this CDR is released in limited edition. Enjoy!

Cabinet of Natural Curiosities - Vineland (CDR) (USA)

(mp3-zip, 9 tracks, 31 min, 56,7 MB)

Sorry, no longer available!

Check out for downloads:

http://ampeatermusic.com/catalog

Planet Rye Co - Sampler (USA 2001-2007)

"PLANET RYE CO: Austin, Texas "Psycho-Delia"

PLANET RYE CO is an Austin, Texas psychedelic rock and experimental group. The project was founded by JoDee Purkeypile in 2001. The groups' members include Sean Crooks, Chris Sensat, Brendan Rogers, and Gregg White (who along with JoDee are also members of The Alice Rose), though, throughout their 8 years of home-recorded lunacy, Planet Rye Co has become home to several guest musicians and contributors, some of whom had no prior musical experience whatsoever, which of course makes for some interesting listening. ---The band has recorded over 20 album's worth of material, much of which has circulated throughout a small cult fanbase in Austin. From Barrett-esque psych-pop to roaring experimental chaos, from tripped-out folk to endearingly soulful songs about demons, pumpkins, witches, and ghosts- Rye Co's music is kaleidoscopic, if anything, but also highly entertaining madness. The band is preparing their live debut for the Fall of 2009 in Austin.

Visit www.myspace.com/planetryeco for more... --- Although the group's homegrown and operated label, Emerald Wood Records, is planning a series of official releases for this Winter, here's a quick sampler containing 10 of some of Planet Rye Co's best work. Enjoy at your own risk..."

(info from http://www.emeraldwoodrecords.blogspot.com/)

http://www.planetryeco.com

"Fear, happiness, misery, joy; all of them are in the music we make. Nothing is sacred to us. There are two sides to every trip; good, and bad. That doesn't just mean hallucinations. 'Psychedelic' music can be anything, it can sound like anything. It's just a label to categorize our music. Lyrically, our songs can go anywhere. Musically, they can sound however we want..."

(JD Purkeypile on http://www.myspace.com/planetryeco)

I absolutely agree with the above!

Very creative and original band with many different moods, sometimes weird (though not as weird as for example the FLOWERS OF DISGUST), sometimes playing a more conventional style of psychedelia – sometimes funny, sometimes more serious or even dark. Check it out!

Favourite track: 'Juniper and Tidings'

PLANET RYE CO - SAMPLER

(mp3-zip,10 tracks, 25 min, 55,8 MB)

1 Tracer Ape (2007)

2 Ferris Wheel (2005)

3 Flames (2001)

4 Alexander, Son of Snakes (2005)

5 Flap Your Wings (2002)

6 Juniper and Tidings (2007)

7 The Costume Child (2007)

8 Fireplace (2005)

9 Night in a Tomb (2007)

10 Plastic Pumpkin (2006)

Written and Produced by JoDee Purkeypile.

All songs copyright 2001-2007

Get it here or here!

Mahood - The Drone Album (FR 2008/9 Work in Progress)

2 more tracks by French electronic/drone artist MAHOOD, originally posted on

http://tontonmahood.blogspot.com/.

"... here is the beginning a my own series of analog drones. I've recorded many of them since 1997 (first with an old 8bit "granular sintesis" software on my Mac Performa at the time), but few of them really convinced me - and what could I do with them until today? -- This first (= drone 7) ... is more a collection of ambient pieces put together than a real drone, but it's intended to be heard in a drone feeling. Some parts were played live when I played for PanSonic last year (you can hear them on the MySpace link "listen to my music"). -- Very basic recording (no mastering and basic mixing), and for the occasion the instruments were:

> Korg Polysix

> Korg Monopoly

> Sequential Circuits SixTrak

> Roland Juno 106

> folk guitar

> maracas."

http://www.myspace.com/puzzlekit

"A small post of a 2nd drone I've recently made (= drone 2). Very basic recording, once more (sorry - I promise I buy a sound card for my Mac as soon as I can), so please if you try it PLAY IT LOUD.-- For this occasion, the instruments were:

> Roland SH5 (synth)

> Roland CR78 (rythm box) plugged in Korg MS20 (synth)

> Korg MonoPoly (synth)

Played, recorded and mixed much faster than "part 1" in near live conditions. And it's shorter too (8'48)." (info from MAHOOD)

MAHOOD - The Drone Album

(FR 2008/9 'Work in Progress')

(mp3-zip, 2 tracks, 27:14 min, 52,9 MB)

Get it here or here!

Mahood - Granular Sintesis - (FR 1997)

Discovered this electronic album some time ago on MAHOOD's own blog http://tontonmahood.blogspot.com/ and thought this might be of interest to some HLFP blog readers.

MAHOOD is from Paris, France.

"More or less 4 tracks (20 minutes), with the exclusive use of a basic software on my Performa 6200, called "SoundEffects". The only source of the sound is sine waves, transformed / cut with the effects of the software (particularly with the most complex, called... "granular synthesis") - except the sampled percussions on track 1 (the only track I really don't like, it's of no use). -- I'm particularly proud of the 3rd and 4th tracks (and the transition between), the 4th track was one of my favourite at the time - very hypnotic if you're not irritated by the repetition. -- Be concious that it's a really lo-fi recording : 11.000khz, 8bit, recorded on a basic 4 tracks tape recorded, transfered on MiniDisc etc... So if you try play it loud!" (MAHOOD)

MAHOOD - Granular Sintesis (FR 1997)

(mp3-zip, 4 tracks, 21 min, 37,5 MB)

Get it here or here!

Light Seems Dark - Soundtrack From The Film 'Affekt' (GER. 1999)

Since 'Psychedelic Virgin' by short-lived German organ dominated psychedelic rock band LIGHT SEEMS DARK is one of the most downloaded albums from this blog – and a very fine one, that's for sure – I decided to post their only other recordings: the soundtrack from a no budget trash movie (called 'AFFEKT' by an unknown director). Again a true homemade lofi psych recording, done on a 4-track analog Fostex tape recorder – very much in the style of early PINK FLOYD in their 1969 soundtrack phase.

A nice addition to LSD's main work posted earlier.

'Main Theme' is suprisingly funky, while 'Callings From The Distanace' is a shorter instrumental version, different from the one on 'Psychedelic Virgin'. The remaining three tracks are instrumental improvisations.

Enjoy!

Light Seems Dark - Soundtrack From The Film

'Affekt' (GER. 1999)

(mp3-zip, 5 tracks, 11 min, 25,8 MB, @ 320)
New links Jan. 2013:

Get it here or here or here!

Lunar Testing Lab - Seashore Blvd (USA 2009)

LUNAR TESTING LAB is Eric Watson from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.

His "Space Program" album, officially released on "i, absentee", was picked as # 5 cd of 2008 by Tobacco of Black Moth Super Rainbow.

The EP "Seashore Blvd" was recorded in May 2009, and was strongly recommended for posting on HLFP by Will Treffry of PANEYE, who is a big fan of it ("You will not regret listening to this. It is without question some of the best music i've heard in quite a while..." - I totally agree!)

Eric is into electronic music since 1991 or so; he began the LUNAR TESTING LAB project in 2004; influences he mentions are Boards of Canada, BMSR, funk, and 1970's moog music, and he uses a lot of samples and "a few synth sounds" to make his music.

The result is a unique mixture of jazz, funk, electronic and lounge; guess I'll call that "space lounge music" – a truely great record, strongly recommended to fans of AIR and psychedelic electronic music.

Favourite track: hmmm, difficult. Probably the opener: "Black Sands" and "Topaze Bay". The whole EP is great. Recommended especially for Sunday morning listening.

http://www.myspace.com/lunartestinglaboratory

http://www.secretstationrecords.com/index.htm

http://www.i-absentee.com/artists.html

LUNAR TESTING LAB - Seashore Blvd (USA 2009)

(mp3 zip, 8 tracks, 27 min, 43,1 MB, front cover incl.)

Get it here!

Heinz Edelmann (Yellow Submarine art direction) (1934-2009) R.I.P.

Heinz Edelmann (June 20, 1934 - July 21, 2009) was a German illustrator and designer. He was born in 1934 in Czechoslovakia. He is a well-known illustrator in Europe, but is probably most famous for his art direction and character designs for the 1968 animated film Yellow Submarine. He also designed Curro for the 1992 Seville World's Fair. He died in Stuttgart, aged 75. (source: wikipedia)

Interview Transcript (about The Beatles' Yellow Submarine) read here!

Shalloboi - 04-18-2009 - Chicago, Elastic Arts Foundation (USA 2009)

"here it is at last - the recording from the strings show from saturday night. it turned out a good deal better than i expected it to. the show was also possibly the best show we have ever played. the strings sounded good (and were audible- which was a sizable concern on my part) and we played well. we played nearly all new songs. i think we only played one released song. -- this live show was recorded in april at elastic arts foundation in chicago - the string players were katelyn eldridge- violin, chris gagnon - viola and aleskandra lederer - cello. -- most of the songs are from the record we are currently working on, which will be a vinyl-only release called 'all hope is blind' and basically the finished tracks that we have right now basically sound the way they do here on this live recording." (T. R.)

If you are not familiar with SHALLOBOI's music, I'd recommend to check out their studio recordings first, before listening to this live recording. Or you may also have a listen to the 3rd HLFP Sampler, where they are also featured with one track.

Thanks a lot Tyler, for making those exquisite recordings available.

Enjoy!

Shalloboi - 04-18-2009 - Chicago,

Elastic Arts Foundation (USA 2009)

(mp3 zip, 8 tracks, 49 min, 67,3 MB)

1. the sun is so bright

2. christmas song revisited

3. whisper

4. paper doves

5. falling stars

6. 4am train

7. narcoleptic

8. glasslands

Get it here or here!