The College Crowd Digs Me

" 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...

"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...

"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 ...

  "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...

"The Cabin At The End Of The World" by Paul Tremblay (2018) Hardcover, 272 pages NO SPOILERS: This “cabin in the woods" horror tale involves an adopted girl and her two dads who spend a weekend at a cabin far removed from cell phones and FaceTime.  While the little girl plays outside, a nice stranger comes along.  This encounter quickly turns into a home invasion.  Up to this point, the story seems very familiar.  But then the uninvited guests throw their strange and frightening agenda into the family's lap and suddenly the story becomes a very different potato.  And it could have really been intense, but for all the flashbacks.  FBs of the two dads.  FBs of the adoption.  Just a lot of filler.  Better to take the cabin invasion for a real thunder ride, but Paul Tremblay never quite puts the pedal to the metal. Also, the ending is way too ambiguous and thus, unsatisfying.  You can get away with these types of shenanigans in a short stor...

  "Jake Jones" - Jake Jones (1971) There was never an actual  Jake Jones in the band.  Jake Jones was just a name they chose to call themselves.  Nonetheless, Jake Jones had a loyal underground following in the St. Louis area.  KSHE radio was an advocate for the band playing their music often.  Their self-titled debut album is mostly melodic and jamming rural country numbers that are okay, but a few tracks on this album have a proggier, more organ-driven flavor.  And it's these types of songs I wish they would have explored more.  This isn't a great album or a must-own, but overall I quite enjoyed it.  Both the softer and the meatier.  I don't think the " Jake Jones" album is rare or anything like that...but I sure don't see it very often. There's not a lot of information floating in the clouds about the band other than being from St. Louis and releasing two albums.  But member  Phil Jost went on to become the assistant t...

"Funk Off (sic) 1966-1967" - Terry Knight and the Pack (1973)   Prior to Grand Funk Railroad... Don Brewer and Mark Farner were rocking the garage with Terry Knight and the Pack .   "Funk-Off (sic) 1966-1967" is a two-record gatefold compilation of most of the band's output and it's a solid spin.  Really good.  The album is filled with catchy garage rockers and folk-rockers.   Some with tasty fuzz burns and a few with some light psych dust.  The few cover songs the band tackle do no damage.  All are very well done and high bar.  Terry Knight and the Pack had only one charting single nationally... "I (Who Have Nothing)" ...a song obviously meant for pop radio ears, and is also included on this comp.  Terry Knight and the Pack released two studio albums before closing up shop.  Don Brewer and Mark Farner went on to form the classic thunder-shaking  Grand Funk Railroad and Terry Knight became the band's manager. Favorites ar...