Various - A Psychedelic Guide to Monsterism Island
by Helen Tipping
published: 23 / 4 / 2009
Label:
Lo Recordings
Format: CD
intro
Eclectic and eccentric entirely instrumental album, which featuring tracks by musicians such as Jerry Dammers, Gruff Rhys and the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, takes its inspiration from the cartoons of Welsh illustrator and cartoonist, Pete Fowler
This is totally new on me. On my journey to find out what 'A Psychedelic Guide to Monsterism Island' is all about I found myself travelling through strange comic book landscapes. Drawn by Pete Fowler, a Welsh illustrator and cartoonist, 'Monsterism Island' is inhabited by musically inclined monsters and other characters. The CD is a musical representation of the cartoons and features tracks by musicians such as Jerry Dammers, Gruff Rhys, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Future Sound of London, and many more. It is the second CD made to accompany Pete's cartoons. The music is entirely instrumental with a link narrative and takes a variety of forms. There are elements of jazz, Japanese sounds, Eastern European influences and even some alt.country in there. I have to say that the Morris dancing-influenced track, 'Til We Meet Again', was a step too far for me and had to be moved on quickly. 'A Psychedelic Guide to Monsterism Island' is certainly not something I would usually go out and buy, but it is unusual and makes a great chill out CD. Any track called 'Seven Thousand Pound Bee' has to be listened to, even if it is lots of bee buzzing synth noises! Many of the titles wouldn't be out of place on a prog rock album, and 'Crystal Hermitage' track borders on prog, though not quite thankfully. I particularly liked the ukulele Haiwan sounding influences and wanted to break out a grass skirt and some margueritas.
Track Listing:-
1 Unknown Artist- Intro - Rum Cove2 Monsters At Work- Magic Morning
3 Marc Shearer- Magma On My Mind
4 Belbury Poly- A Designated Wizard Practice Area
5 Luke Vibert- Silver Snorse Hotel
6 Unknown Artist- Snyrds Rising
7 Jonny Trunk- Nest We Forget
8 Monsters At Work- Fisherman's Jam
9 Wolf People- Village Strollin'
10 Unknown Artist- Golden Blooms
11 Circulus- Till We Merry Meet Again
12 Amorphous Androgynous- Mr. Sponge's Groovy Oscillations
13 Gruff Rhys- Wild Robots Power Up
14 Unknown Artist- Welcome To The Night
15 Squonjax- Chocolate Skull
16 Dud Thud- Lonely Library
17 Richard Norris- To All The Wizards In Lockdown
18 Unknown Artist- The Purple Woods
19 Cherrystones- Seven Thousand Pound Bee
20 Hardfeelingsuk- Volcanic Drive
21 Termortex- Final Froog
22 Unknown Artist- Dreamer's Dream
23 The Advisory Circle- Lair Of The Grolfax
24 Richie Crago- Wandering Black Holes
25 Nancy and Paddy- Owl Ritual
26 Batfinks- Crystal Hermitage
27 Unknown Artist- The Call Of The Horn
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