Electric Crayon Set - Laughing in the Clouds

 

Upon receiving my last package from Fruits de Mer Records I discovered an additional album with an accompanying card reading 'It's a windfall! A complimentary record from Fruits de Mer Records, just because we're in a good mood...and we found a few spare copies down the back of the sofa', how cool, eh, and much appreciated. I'd never heard of Finnish psyche pop combo Electric Crayon Set; I have now and they're bloody good. Electric Crayon Set are Seppo Tyni on bass, guitars, synth and keys, Timo Lilja on drum and precussion, and Timo Paakko vocals, guitars, synth and keys; with additional guitar from Juha Kormano, harpsicord from Pekka Tyni, vocals from Vilma Paakko and backing vocals from Katariina and Veera Lohiniva. 'Laughing in the Clouds' is a wonderfully upbeat romp through the world of psychedelic and progressive music, and although Finnish there's a real Britishness to their sound, specifically 70s/80's progressive pop psyche with a side helping of Mod aesthetic. Electric Crayon Set have added their own contemporary spin on the familiar to create a original take and sound on a favourite genre; each track is an aural joy, it's a lovely album, thoroughly listen-able. A stand out track for me is 'Calling on the cards', especially loving the vibe and production on that one; beautiful vocals by Vilma Paakko, first class. I wholeheartedly recommend this album, and a band to keep your eye on.

'Laughing in the Clouds' by the Electric Crayon Set is available on Psychotron Records; if this is the calibre of their releases, a label to watch.

Soft Hearted Scientists

 

There's nothing not to like about 'Waltz of the Weekend' by Soft Hearted Scientists, and so much to love. Originally released on CD in May 2023, Fruits de Mer records have recently re-released it on vinyl, and as you'd imagine it's really rather special. Soft Hearted Scientists are psychedelic beat combo out of Wales, a band of highly accomplished musicians and lyrical bards sui generis in their field. With a wonderful mid 60's musical aesthetic, the period when the mods met mushrooms and music took on a distinctly psychedelic flavour, the band create tracks which span genres and flavours. The scientists are Michael Bailey on bass; Paul Jones on guitars and backing vocals; Dylan Line on keyboards, electronics and sound effects; Nathan Hall on Lead and backing vocals, guitars, keyboards, electronics and sound effects; and Spencer Segelov and Frank Naughton on drums. And collectively they conjure magic.

A magic that transports the psychenaut into the unique psychedelic world of the Soft Hearted Scientists' to be regaled with weird, whimsical and wonderful musical tales. Musically high order, and lyrically peerless 'Waltz of the Weekend' is a psychedelic masterpiece, utterly original, a reflection of the Soft Hearted Scientists themselves. This is psychedelia done different. 'What Grows Inside The Garden' kicks off the album divinely, a dreamy pop psyche number with a happy and sunny disposition lifted higher by some lovely guitar and nice harmonies. Whilst the titular track 'Waltz of the Weekend' puts one in mind of music you'd imagine you'd hear on Summerisle, it's processional folkish hypnotic melody has you swaying along as if in a trance. The 'Sea Anemone Song' has a haunting quality to it, a quality which runs through the entire album, something intangible; 'The Things we make' with it's beautifully drifty otherworldly atmosphere has oodles of that vibe, it's a truly beautiful track, loveliest on the album. Side two begins with the quirky 'Rode my Bike' about a frustrated and ill fated cycle which with it's infectious melody is psyche-poptastic. 'Gadzooks' is more optimistic singing of hopes for better rides and days to come, an eloquent and defiant counterbalance to its predecessor. Next 'Who loves the Moon' exemplifies how Soft Hearted Scientists enchantingly blend jaunty upbeat melodies with wistful and melancholic lyrical themes. There's genius in their composition and writing, their adroit juxtaposition of dark themes with catchy melodies are always exquisitely executed. Take the 'Fixer', an upbeat tale of a righteous hitman, a mod revivalist sounding tune if ever there was. Then psyche pop takes a particularly dark turn in 'Vicious Vivian'. Finishing side three 'Creeper and the vines', a charmingly wistful warning of the joys and perils of alcohol has a jolly sing along feel to it.  The 'Venus Fly Trap Song', is a dark tale of defiance in the face of systemic injustice and eventual escape from it. As for the final track 'Lost Mariners', it's simply the bollocks. A bitter-sweet tale of oceanic adventure and loss, like the ocean it's a track with depth, a richly textured and sweeping sound-scape of guitars and synth accompanied by haunting vocals, with an eerie 70's sci-fi synth fade out. Unequivocally fabulous. Cap doffed.

That's where the album ends on the CD or digital versions, although if you buy the vinyl copy you've still a third disc of outstanding remixes to enjoy; 'Sea Anemones in the Benthic Abyss', 'The Garden of Wavering Fronds', 'My Bike Verses The Dandy Horse', and finally 'Waltz Through The Weekend' a glorious 16.42 min mix exploring the entire album, you also get a nice colour booklet of the lyrics.

There's not a moment on this album I don't love, I can't say enough good things about it. An album with genuine warmth, every note is performed to perfection, every musical t crossed and i dotted, absolutely faultless throughout, you can tell the love and attention poured into it. If you buy but one album this year, buy this one. Check the Soft Hearted Scientists on their bandcamp, everything they do is sublime, as is Nathan Hall and the Sinister Locals material. Or, if you're after the vinyl release of 'Waltz of the Weekend' go check out Fruits de Mer, purveyors of quality music.

Marco Rossi, The Sincerest Form Of Flattery

 

Recently I was kindly gifted this absolute gem by a close friend; The Sincerest Form Of Flattery by Marco Rossi, a fabulous 8'' lathe cut EP from the wonderful Fruits de Mer records (Friend Of The Fish 67). Rossi dishes up a glorious slice of 60's psychedelia sensitively re-imagined for our times, beautiful; we could certainly do with some of that 60's hope. As you'd imagine being from FdM this is a quality item, top notch by every metric, bravo. Marco Rossi is best known for being a member of The Kevin McDermott Orchestra and the fabulous Gothic Chicken (Not heard of them? Then you really must check 'em out, 'cos you're missing out.). It's immediately evident that Rossi has a deep understanding, love and respect for the original source material and the 60's psychedelic period from which they came, as his interpretations do the originals justice conjuring the same atmosphere and yet still managing to bring something new to each; he's chosen four wonderful tracks, interesting left field choices too, beginning with 'Ivy Ivy' by The Left Banke, followed by 'My Friend' by Spirit, 'L.A' by Orange Bicycle and finally 'Forget All About It' by The Nazz. Man, this is good. Rossi's arrangement and production are perfectly pitched, his attention to detail meticulous, getting everything spot on, his voice naturally lends itself to the genre and all together he's rendered a warm and engaging 60's musical aesthetic that you can just sink right into...sumptuous. I understand that these four tracks are but an appetizer, and that there's a whole CD available! Now, CD's are my last choice of format, I've never forgiven Tomorrows World for it's false claims regarding the durability of CD's; that said, I'll be trying to procure a copy toot suite. Would you believe it this project was produced in a bedroom too, mental! Yup, that's right, Rossi created this in a bedroom. Far out.

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.

The Past Tense 'Time stands still' on 7'' orange vinyl

We are the Mods (repeat), we are, we are, we are the Mods! I could just leave it there, as I reckon that sums up what you've got here quiet accurately. I remember chanting 'we are the Mods', during the late 70's Modernist revival, I loved everything about mod culture, though in particular I loved, and still love, the music, both that of the 60's and the revival era. So, what a lovely treat listening to The Past Tense is, I'd first heard them when they performed the opening track on FdM's 'The Three Seasons', a smashing rendition of The Attack's 'Magic in the air'.  'Time Stands Still' is all original 60's  tracks from both sides of the Atlantic, plucked from the period when here Mods were discovering psychedelics and America had turned on, tuned in and was dropping out, and that cultural mind shift was reflected in the music of the period. The Past Tense have taken that distinct 60's Mod psyche sound, infused it with elements of the later 70's/early 80's modernist revival sound and have masterfully brought it into the present. You can tell that The Past Tense love Mod music too, they must do to have reproduced that sound so perfectly, the care and attention to detail they've employed creating an endearing authenticity to their sound. Many of tracks are from bands, that if I'm honest, I'd never heard of, but, man, all of the tracks are pure gold. This release is another FdM ferrero rocher moment, as not only is there 'Time Stands Still', a lovely four track orange vinyl 7'', there's also an accompanying ten track CD 'Across the Pond...And back again', marvellous. Spoilt, or what! Check it out here.

Something fishy

Who'll have these fishies on a little dishy now the Fruit de Mer boat's come in? No little dishy for me, man, these little fishies are going straight on a platter, and no mistake. Check out their current catch here.

The Soft Hearted Scientists 'Please read Me' from Fruits de Mer Records

There was one item in particular in my recent Fruits de Mer Records package that I was especially looking forward to, a 7" single from The Soft Hearted Scientists. A few years ago a very good friend gifted me a special copy of the Fruits de Mer Records compilation 'What Ever Happened To The Soft Hearted Scientists' saying he thought I'd like it. I didn't, I absolutely loved it, everything about it and have been a fan ever since. The Soft Hearted Scientists herald from Wales and follow in the footsteps of that nations venerable son Taliesin, being both lyrical and musical bards of the highest grade. There's a certain je ne sais quoi about the Soft Hearted Scientists remarkable (hard to properly categorize) sound, if you haven't checked them out, you really must.

So, on to the single, the 'A' side is a dazzling interpretation of The Bee Gees 1967 'Please read Me'. You can't go wrong with the Bee Gees, what ever they did, they just did so well. Of course, The Soft Hearted Scientists have sprinkled on their unique magic, breathing new life into a 50 year old track, raising it even higher. They've done a sterling job too, creating a thoroughly listenable slice of quality psychedelic pop with one foot rooted in the history of the genre, whilst the other stands firmly in the here and now. The arrangement is perfection, with a slightly increased tempo which lifts the melody beautifully, Nathan Halls soothing vocals and the wonderful accompanying harmonies, I'm certain the Gibb brothers would approve of the bands endeavours. 

The 'B' side, 'Moths mistook us for the Moon' is classic Soft Hearted Scientists, an enchanting melody bathed in gentle melancholy, Nathan's wonderfully magical lyrics, accentuated by his gloriously honeyed vocals, the addition of some beautifully subtle though powerful harmonies, all add to the tracks already transcendent ethereal atmosphere. Pure bliss, the trade mark of the Soft Hearted Scientists. Nathan is an peerless wordsmith, on some level or other his lyrics often pack a deceptive emotional punch, which sometimes you see coming though more often it's hidden, creeping up on you. Always the tracks melody is the perfect vehicle for delivering the emotive payload, and this track does that so gracefully, a floaty tempo carries you upwards towards the moon just like the eponymous moths, and throughout the arrangement is sublime, crammed with delightful flourishes and so much more, all rendered perfectly, a track of marvellous psyche pop replete with substance, warmth and depth. It's bloody lovely listening.  

I know scientists are currently maligned in our anti-expert culture, though no one could possibly doubt that these scientists really know their musical onions. The Soft Hearted Scientists certainly stand out from the crowd as the purveyors of the finest in contemporary psychedelic folk tinged pop, their unique style shines brightly, and what you've got here are two tracks which highlight why. As you'd expect from Fruits de Mer Records it's a quality product, beautifully packaged, a high grade sleeve holds a nice 7" single coloured pressing on white mix (pastel purple) vinyl. Go visit Fruits de Mer Records and pick up a copy of this glorious release for a mere £6!  Or, a digital copy of the single (plus two additional instrumental tracks) is available from the Soft Hearted Scientists bandcamp page. 

Delivery from Fruits de Mer Records.

This morning the posty delivered a much anticipated haul of goodies from the most excellent Fruits de Mer Records.  A package from Fruits de Mer Records is always something to please your ears, warm your heart and send your spirit soaring.  Oh Happy day!