Friday, September 14, 2007

Pink Floyd - Piper At The Gates Of Dawn

I picked up Pink Floyd's 40th Anniversary reissue of Piper at the Gates Of Dawn yesterday. I opted for the Deluxe version, which is the three cd set. The two cd set came out last week, which is the mono and stereo version of the album. The Deluxe has not only the third cd but a book that Syd Barrett put together and given to a a girlfriend at the time. Very strange little book I must say the title is called "Enjoy Fart." They did a very good job with the remaster and packaging. And it's nice to have the singles and alternate takes remastered on the 3rd disc. I can get rid of the low quality version I had. My only question is why three cds? The album isn't long, they could have put the mono and stereo version on one disc. At least that is what I thought before I got it. Now I like it this way. It gives each album it's own personal domain. I like it. Over all I would recommend the purchase of the Deluxe version over the 2 disc. The price is not allot more and definitely worth the coin. Forty years old, and still just as new, and scary, and wonderful, and tingly, as the day I first heard it. This album has put a great psychedelic ending to the 40th Anniversary of the Summer of Love.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band

The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band say that three times fast. This is a band definitely worth checking out. Their music is all over the place. From serious to silly, happy to sad, and just plain out wacky weird. They have a rather interesting history as well. Apparently Bob Markley the lead vocalist and creator of the band is quite the character. Rather than me try to get into explosive history check out this article The Legend of The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band. It is well worth the read, and it really got me interested in their music. Though Markley has been titled as the weak link of the band, I find his part essential. Yes, at points his lack of ability is apparent, but I think this is what makes these albums so psychedelic. And it's this risk of experimentation that makes this music truely amazing. I highly recommend checking out "Volume 3" and "Markley, The Group", which is really their last record. They have five records out that are all very interesting. I'm really surprised that they are not more well known. There music stands up and surpasses many bands that have had greater success. I guess this is were Bob Markley probably helped in keeping his band underground. This band deserves more attention. To get all five albums checkout Contramao's Blog site. He has generously posted all of their records recently. Saving us all a great deal of time hunting out our psychedelic fix. I would use the Zshare download site, they don't make you wait for hours after each download. I started with their 3rd album titled "A child's Guide to Good and Evil Volume 3" and loved it. "Our Drummer Always Plays In The Nude" is probably one of my favorite songs on that record. And I hope they become a favorite band to you.

These Links are from Cotramao's Blog Site. Please go checkout the many gems he has to share. And please give a BIG THANK YOU for these.

Vol. 2: Breaking Through (1967) - http://sharebee.com/2311ebb9
A Child's Guide to Good and Evil (1968) - http://sharebee.com/b7baaec0
Where's My Daddy? (1969) - http://sharebee.com/74c3c05b
Markley, A Group (1970) - http://sharebee.com/53a6b6b2