Enter Xenon by Custard Flux

 

Detroits' renaissance man Gregory Curvey returns with his sixth serving of custard flux, the fantastic Enter Xenon. Custard Flux developed from a project of Luck of Eden Hall front man Gregory Curvey to restore a 100 year old harpsichord. From that restoration Helium was born, a solo album written and performed entirely by Curvey. Since then Custard Flux has developed and evolved, five albums later the sound has transmuted some and an ensemble has burgeoned: Nick Pruett on drums and percussion, Timothy Prettyman on bass guitar, Vito Greco on guitar, Andy Thompson on the mellotron, and Curvey on vocals, guitar, synthesizers mellotron, and tape Loops. Evidence if needed that mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Now, it's impossible to pigeon hole the Flux sound, beyond that it has Curvey running through it like Brighton through rock. There's so much going on.  Enter Xenon is a suite of unique and deftly arranged numbers which seamlessly blend progressive, psychedelic, pop, and rock flavours with a smidgen of je ne sais quoi. Enter Xenon is an exercise in musical alchemy. Pure magic. Playful sounding fast paced jangle psyche tracks juxtapose with prog-tastic flights of fantasy, there's noticeable space rock aesthetic running through the entire album too. Take The Oblivion Capsule, a wonderfully drifty space rock number with a spoonful of early 90's ambient psyche making it a blissful listen. As you'd expect from Curvey there's no filler, every track furthers your journey of aural exploration until you enter the The Floating Chamber. The pièce de résistance, The Floating Chamber is a progressive space rock opus which glides gracefully through a psychedelic expanse, pulling you in its' wake until you're slingshot into infinity. Smashing track. If I had one complaint it would that I'd have liked the titular Enter Xenon, a psychedelic synth number with an after rave chill out ambience, to be longer. As you'd imagine all the tracks are beautifully crafted, wondrously lyrical, performed to perfection with superb production, a testament to the calibre of the musicians, every instrument shines brightly, and together they've created magic. Custard Flux represents the gold standard of progressive psyche, and I doff my cap to another exceptional album. Check it out here, and whilst you're there be sure check out the back Custard Flux catalogue too.

Custard Flux - Einsteinium Delirium

My initial reaction on hearing Custard Fluxs' - Einsteinium Delirium was 'f*ck me, he's done it again'; granted a crude initial review, but accurate as he has. Chicagos' musical sorcerer supreme and all round renaissance man Gregory Curvey returns with 'Einsteinium Delirium' his fifth serving of Custard Flux, and as you'd expect it's aurally delicious. An artist not content to sit on his laurels, Curvey's dialling the whole Custard Flux project up another notch, 10 having long disappeared in the rear view mirror. There's definitely a different energy to 'Einsteinium Delirium', as Curvey says 'it's no holds barred electric', and isn't it, man. Ten stand out, original and distinct, beautifully composed and crafted, and perfectly performed prog/psyche/pop tracks delivered with meticulous attention to detail by musicians of high standing, all round as tight as a gnats chuff. Instantly engaging short punchy numbers that really reach out and grab you from an album that flows with ease and is an absolute joy to listen to. There's no time wasters here, Einsteinium Delirium starts strong with 'Peace and Love' and continues in that vein right up to the fading notes of 'Fat Man'. Mediocrity isn't in Curveys' vocabulary, this is the good shit. Curvey's a unique talent, a lover of complex melodies with a distinct composing, guitar and vocal style which lend themselves to an instantly recognizable sound; a sound here augmented, complimented and enhanced by the addition of Vito Greco on guitar and Portuguese guitar; Timothy Prettyman on bass guitar; Nick Pruett on drums and percussion; and Andy Thompson on mellotron. An ensemble of pure class and distinction. Custard Flux albums are always lyrically interesting as well as musically so, and on Einsteinium Delirium Curvey explores the theme of the atomic bomb, apposite for our times with the renewed threat of nuclear oblivion being mooted. It's not a heavy listen though, far from it. Richly embellished with solid rhythms, glorious riffs, soaring guitars and some marvellous mellotron, it's an absolutely smashing album. Only one complaint, instrumental track 'Transmutation', a sumptuous soaring cinematic soundscape just wasn't long enough, beyond that I salute you sirs. Another resounding Custard Flux success. Check it out here. 

 

Custard Flux are doing a handful of UK gigs July 28th, Kozfest, Devon; August 1st, Half Moon, London; August 2nd, Visual Radio Arts, (not sure if that's a gig or a studio performance) and August 3rd, 20th Dream Fest, Cardigan. If you can go and you don't you'll regret it, this is a rare opportunity indeed.

Oxygen by Custard Flux

Psychedelic multi-instrumentalist, artist and The Luck of Eden Hall's front man Gregory Curvey continues his current run of excellence with his project Custard Flux's sensational third outing, the up coming release of Oxygen. Custurd Flux was born when Curvey, a genuine renaissance man, acquired a dilapidated 100 year old Harmonium, restored it and created the marvellous 'Helium' (review), the acoustic solo genesis of the Custard Flux sound. Subsequently there was 'Echo' (review), the evolved and augmented sound of Custard Flux. Both acclaimed albums were immediate runaway successes, with pressings quickly being snapped up. And why wouldn't they, both are gloriously unique aural explorations in psychedelia. Oxygen's a further evolution of the already well established Custard Flux sound, another delightful blend of acoustic/electric instrumentations. Like it's siblings Oxygen shares the fundamental Custard Flux DNA, though again being the consummate psychedelic alchemist with the magpies eye, Curvey's masterfully spliced new elements into it, further augmenting, mutating and evolving it. This is psychedelic music at it's best, it's scope doesn't merely span that genre though, it's extends way further into other genres, creating something truly original and unique. Nothing sounds like Custard Flux, man, nothing.

The crew manifest for this outing of the starship Custard Flux is also evolved. We see the return of the Prettyman brothers, Timothy on double bass and Walt on violin (if you happen to read this Walt, particularly loving your offerings, man), who both contributed so wonderfully to the evolution in sound of Echo, continue their integral contributions to Custard's Flux.  There's also the addition of the cracking guitar(s) of Vito Greco, another musician you'd have heard previously giving wicked performances on Curvey's projects. Finally, there's a fabulous special guest contribution by Psychedelic Furs saxophonist Mars Williams on the titular track, which takes the Custard Flux sound into a wondrously unexpected direction.  As for everything else, and it's a lengthy list, that's Gregory Curvey himself, guitar, vocals, harmonium, harpsichord (really loving that sound by the way), bass, piano, drums and oddities (Curvey's description). A fabulous ensemble of accomplished musicians, I'm sure you'd agree. 

Oxygen's an apt moniker for this outing, its addition making the Custard Flux star burn even brighter. From the eponymous opening track you're instantly aware that the Custard Flux has developed and grown, at moments its bigger sound creates natural allusions to The Luck Of Eden Hall's sound swimming amongst the bubbling stream of Custard Flux. Mind you, that's certainly no criticism or complaint, and it's wholly understandable and natural too. Gregory Curvey's style and aesthetic, and particularly his vocal delivery are unique and instantly recognizable. As you'd imagine from Curvey the attention to detail in the arrangements and production of each and every track are incredible and exquisite, every instrument is deployed, it's qualities exploited, to masterful effect. As for his lyrics they're usually poetic, often pertinent, unequivocally eloquent, and always a genuine pleasure to mull over. Bravo, sir, and kudos to all involved, you've collectively created something magnificent. You should check out Shane Swank's groovy video for Quaratyne off Oxygen, which exemplifies the Custard Flux aesthetic. 

Oxygen's the tastiest serving of Custard Flux so far, perfectly seasoned, it goes down a treat. If you've liked previous Custard Flux releases you'll be loving this, man.  If you've not heard the band before, though you dig original explorations in psychedelia, then, man, I know you're going to dig this and be clambering for copies of the previous releases too. Check it out, it's available in two fabulous multi coloured vinyl pressings or as a digital download. Be quick though if you looking to grab yourself a vinyl copy, only available to pre-order from yesterday (for release date 3rd July) Oxygen is already selling like hot cakes!