The Continuing Escapades of the Soft Hearted Scientists

I first heard The Soft Hearted Scientists via their exceptional 2013 compilation on Fruits de Mer Records 'Whatever Happened to the Soft Hearted Scientists' which I was gifted by a friend....and from that first listen I've loved them. The term unique is bandied about a lot, often undeservedly, although the Soft Hearted Scientists truly deserve the title and with knobs on too. Their sound? Man, that's a difficult one. The Soft Hearted Scientists are one of those hard to accurately explain bands, being so musically nebulous labels easily slip off...original though definitely has secure tenure. Ostensibly though their tracks are 60's/70's soaked gentle upbeat little psyche pop numbers imbued with a warm floaty-ness, though delve through that veneer and look a little deeper, listen to the lyrics and some darker themes emerge, with some tunes becoming a delicious mix of jaunty melancholia. Musically and lyrically every track is magnificent, richly rendered with boundless depth, and all beautifully crafted. This second vinyl compilation released again on the Fruits de Mer Records label (the foremost purveyor of psychedelic unique and place I've discovered so many great artists) is a wonderful companion for the first, it retains the high standards initially set and as the title suggests, continues their musical journey. The Continuing Escapades of the Soft Hearted Scientists is a real dream for anyone who already digs the bands unique musical flavours, or anyone who has a proclivity for music with character.  Sit back and soak up 8 sides, yeah you read right '8' sides of pure aural magic. The first 4 sides are tracks from the bands 2005 to 2016 albums, this time round focusing on albums 4 to 7, and then the last 4 sides are glorious side long mixes of Soft Hearted Scientist tracks by that masterful mixer Swordfish of Astralasia...shit doesn't get much better than that. As you'd expect from Fruits de Mer Records the whole caboodle is beautifully presented, 4 cleanly pressed coloured vinyls housed in a quality card sleeve. Absolutely smashing! You should check out their Bandcamp page, there's a wealth of cool music to be found from both The Soft Hearted Scientists and Nathan Hall and the Sinister Locals.