Chemistry Set - The Endless More and More

  by Dave Goodwin

published: 21 / 2 / 2016

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Formed in the late 1980s the Chemistry Set received regular airplay on John Peel’s show and received both mainstream and underground music press. They also appeared on Tony Wilson’s BBC2 television show, '100%'. The cult London psychedelic band's first release, a self-titled cassette of bedroom demos, which came out on the Acid Tapes label, was in 1988, and was followed by several flexi discs between 1988 and 1990. Around this time they started cropping up in magazines and fanzines all over the world including the UK, Spain, Italy, Holland, Sweden, Japan, Australia, Greece, Germany and New Zealand. At that time they also played live in support of Hawkwind and enjoyed regular gigs at London venues such as the Rough Trade record shop, The Marquee and The Borderline. After having a Top 20 single in 1990 in the 1990 Indie Charts with 'Don't Turn Away'. they went into hiatus until 2008 when its members Paul Lake and Dave Mclean re-emerged with 'Sounds Like Painting', which ended up being downloaded over 8,000 times. Having a strong fan base in Spain, one of the country's top producers Manel Ibanez helped to produce their subsequent 2009 mini-LP, 'Alchemy#101'. In 2011, they graced the stage for the first time in twenty years. As well as 'Alchemy#101', they have released other LPs recently of which 2010's 'This Day Will Never Happen Again' and 2012's 'Chemistry is Just Numbers' have spawned rave reviews and earned them numerous radio playa. This offering contains twelve tracks over fifty-five minutes that continue the psychedelic journey and hopefully will catapult them into the sounds of 2016. They start with six minutes of the early New Order-like 'The Splendour of the Universe' which shows off their UK indie and English vintage psychedelic roots. Other highlights are the dream-worlds they have created in 'The Fountains of Neptune' and the anthemic 'Come Kiss Me, Vibrate and Smile'. 'Winter Sun' reminds me of a Hollies track in its infectious melody, and 'Cure for the Inflicted Afflicted' includes a feverish guitar riff while reporting on social media celebrity culture. The album closes with the penultimate track 'Elapsed Memories' which will appeal to fans of their back catalogue being a typical Chemistry Set offering, while' The Open Window' houses an Indian flavour to savour. I have to admit that this one has found its way back on to my van's CD player, a telling testament to albums that I favour. I am told also that the vinyl version comes in a stunning gatefold sleeve and gold vinyl. Marvellous!

Track Listing:-

1 the splendour of the universe
2 the fountains of neptune
3 international rescue
4 time to breathe
5 come kiss me vibrate and smile
6 winter sun
7 albert hoffman
8 a cure for the inflicted afflicted
9 the canyon of the crescent moon
10 crawling back to you
11 elapsed memories
12 the open window

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/TheChemistrySetUK

Label Links:-

http://www.fruitsdemerrecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Fruits-de-Mer-Records-113103324869/

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