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Showing posts from December, 2020

TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Ars Nova" - Ars Nova (1968)

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" Ars Nova" -  Ars Nova (1968) I didn't dislike Ars Nova's debut album, but the wow factor was fairly low.  Nothing bad, but nothing stands out either.  There are a few Baroquish tracks that have occasional low-bottom brass and a Medieval presence that throws off a bit of a time-traveling vibe.  There are subtle hints of psych ghosts yet-to-come...but they never stay for very long.  I'm glad I picked it up, but I'm not sure how often I'll play it. "Ars Nova" (back) The band sometimes sound like they might've kicked some dirt wandering through the English countryside, but they are just good-ol' New York boys.  The guys look dark and foreboding on the front cover.  If only the album had more of that attitude.  Favorites are the opener  "Pavan For My Lady."     The most psych-ish track... " And How Am I To Know" ...is a grower that whips itself up into a nice, if short, fuzz-burner midway through the spin.  And the clo

TCCDM Dig and Flip: "Superman: Birthright" - by Mark Waid (Leinil Francis Yu & Gerry Alanguilan) (2005)

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"Superman: Birthright" by Mark Waid - Leinil Francis Yu - Gerry Alanguilan DC Comics (2005) 314 pages (I stumbled upon a good-sized box filled with a variety of graphic novels at an estate sale. No official count as I've just been pulling from the box when I find time to read one.) "Superman: Birthright" is the retelling of the origin of Clark Kent, aka Superman.  Mark Waid has updated the story for fresh eyes and does an excellent job laying the groundwork for our hero.  I've never been a huge fan of heroes that are omnipotent or nearly so, but the author wisely chooses to hook his readers by first letting us see our hero as a fairly cool, somewhat flawed, ordinary guy.  Not the dork I had come to believe.  By the time Clark puts on the red "S"...we're rooting for the dude.  The author also does an excellent job of introducing the mad genius Lex Luthor to the story.  In this telling, Lex went to the same school as Clark Kent and were friends

TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Circus Maximus" - Circus Maximus (1967)

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"Circus Maximus" - Circus Maximus (1967) The Circus Maximus self-titled debut album is psych-tinged garagey folk-rock.  It has occasional freakouts and the tracks sound bright and loose with jangling guitars reminiscent a little of mid-period Byrds or Beau Brummels  The music is catchy and original.  The group is notable for having Jerry Jeff Walker in the band, but their other songwriter, Bob Bruno is the stronger of the two on this square.  Pushing things forward with a more biting, psych-driven edge.  The band was originally called the Lost Sea Dreamers, but Vanguard Records nixed that idea because the initials "LSD" was linked to the drug. "Circus Maximus" (back) Favorites are the keyboard-burner... "Short Haired Fathers."    The dark and ominous  "Chess Game."   And the dreamy 8-minute headspin.... "Wind" ...is like nothing else on the album.  Floaty and jazzy and just an outstanding late-night drive song.  The song

TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Fuzzy Duck" - Fuzzy Duck (1971)

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  "Fuzzy Duck" - Fuzzy Duck (1971) This is the 2020 UK/Europe reissue of Fuzzy Duck's  self-titled album released in 1971.  "Fuzzy Duck" is a very solid hard rock album with tasteful prog dustings all in that early 70s flavor.  The band Fuzzy Duck compares quite well to their contemporaries of the era.  There are hints of Uriah Heep and Atomic Rooste r and maybe some Bloodrock , but just hints.  The album sounds fresh and has a lot of energy and is worthy of receiving new attention.  There are no weak links on this album, either.  Drop the needle and crank it. The band had an interesting pedigree.  On the keys was  Ray Sharland who was with The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown.   Bassist Mick Hawksworth was in the Five Day Week Straw People ...a tasty 1968 psych band out of Britain.  And drummer Paul Francis was also bangin' it as an original member of Tucky Buzzard .   "Fuzzy Duck" (back) Fuzzy Duck  was from London and when their self-titled a