All the reviews on this page have been taken from the three issues of "Toffee Sunday Smash", a top late 80's British Pop-Sike Fanzine. For more information on this superb magazine go here

Bulldog Breed

Made In England (album) : A real raving cruncher here. These guys rocked hard and it did good. Songs like "Sheba's Broomstick Ride", "I Flew", "Reborn" and "Revenge" prove that a band can still let loose without falling into the usual rock cliched. They show their softer side with "Eileen's Haberdashery Store" and "Dougal" and even take a stab at social commentary with "Folder Men". The music is consistently great, although guaranteed to cause brain damage to anyone with a narrow mind. These guys were still very punk considering it was 1970. Listen to "Reborn" for a good sample, it's a real nasty one about the hypocrisy surrounding death.

The Eggy

You're Still Mine / Hookey : Another great undiscovered mod / psych classic. Unbelievable distorted guitar effects that seem to reverberate and echo and back and forth throughout the song. I'm not sure what the hell they were using to achieve this effect. I suppose it could have been a wah-wah pedal but I've never heard one used like that.

The Fox

This is a great little psych album that came out in the U.K. in 1970 and in the U.S. on the Crewe label, a short time later. All the songs included here are expertly crafted pop with enough experimentation, psychedelia, and intelligence to make it worth your while. Some of my faves include "Secondhand Love", "Birthday Card", which to me is a very sad, forlorn compositon, the majestic "Butterfly", a tune that made an appearnce on one of the early Rubble albums. The Fox even take a stab at a little social commentary with "Mr.Blank", where they sing about how they'd like to split him apart to see what's inside. My absolute favourite is the last track on side two, a real barnstormer that speeds up and slows down constantly to keep your head and heart guessing. "Madame Magical" might be a little to heavy for some, but it's one of the best tripping songs I've ever come across.

Five Day Week Straw People

Five Day Week Straw People (album) : In my estimation it's a classic of the U.K. psych genre, even though I'm not sure it was just a one-off project put together by studio musicians. It's a sort of concept album built around a guy's weekend. The album has it's moments of happiness ("I'm Going Out Tonight"), bitterness ("Gold Digger") and above all, melancholy ("Does It Rain", "If You Were Around"). Lots of splendid guitar work, ethereal backing vocals, and lyrics to give the listener the feeling he's spending the weekend in England, sad and lonely because his girl's gone away. One of my fave albums, I only wish I knew more about the people behind it.

Honeybus

I Can't Let Maggie Go / Tender Are The Ashes : The A-side was quite a hit for the Honeybus back in 1968. It's a lovely beat ballad, a splendid little slice of pop perfection, but it might be a little to sugary for fans of the harder stuff. For those of you who have heard the Honeybus and don't think they are capable of rocking, check out the B-side here. They really let loose on "Tender Are The Ashes" with maraccas all the way through and a blistering guitar solo. I never would've expected this from the Honeybus. It's still masterfully produced, but it's not their usual sound. Look for it where ever you get your out-of-print records!

July

July (album) : A very strange sound here from one of the classic psych groups! It really surprises me that Epic put this, their debut (and only) album out in America in 1968. Obviously it sold very poorly because it's not an easy record to find. My favouries? Hard to pick 'em but "My Clown" is definately one of them. It's one those "hey girl, you're helpless without me" type numbers, but delivered as more of a threat. Other faves include "You Missed It All", with it's whispery warnings; "The Way", of which there are two versions, an alternate one on the Bam Caruso re-release and the swirling psychedelia of "Crying Is For Writers". You want a summation? It's a good record. Look out for it and benefit from the July experience!

Kaleidoscope

Jenny Artichoke / Just How Much You Are : These guys were prolific over the course of their career, recording two albums and five singles, of which this is their third. Dating from 1968, the A-side ia a bouncy chunk of U.K. power pop that always reminds me of "Smashing Time", although I don't know why. The B-side is slightly more serious, but with Kaleidoscope, you always get the feeling their singing tongue-in-cheek a little anyway.

Tangerine Dream & Faintly Blowing (albums) : Tangerine Dream has that fairy tale tale world imagery to it, something they were famous for (well not actually famous) but there are occasional side trips into more eerie territory, like say "The Murder of Lewis Tollani", the impending doom of "Flight From Ashiya" or the spiders in "(Further Reflections) In The Room of Percussion". A stunning debut that is the very definition of English psychedelia! After listening to Tangerine Dream straight for two solid hours you're gonna want more. You got it! Faintly Blowing, the band's second album is waiting for you, and in my opinion, it's even better. With Faintly Blowing, the band takes their ability to use imagery to tell a story to new heights. The album blasts off with the haunting magnificence of "Faintly Blowing", followed by "Poem" which came out on a single. Other highlights include the driving "Snapdragon", "A Story From Tom Bitz" (my personal favourite, sounds like the Syd Barrett jamming with the Byrds at a rodeo while you're on a good trip), the poignant "If You So Wish", the sad majesty of "Black Fjord" and the psychedelic freakout "Music", the closing track that spins off in all directions, out of control, almost. Yes the album is incredible.

The Marmalade

Can't Stop Now / There Ain't No Use In Hanging On : Side one is a driving little number with a great horn solo (and I don't usually care for horns!!) and an extremely catchy tune. The B-side is a slower song, more moody than the A-side, but really good. Both sides have an ultra smooth vocal delivery and excellent production. With both sides being so strong, this record is a real treat! Also look for "Man In The Corner Shop", their other good record.

The Moles

We Are The Moles (Parts 1 & 2) : Surprise! It's Simon Dupree and the Big Sound! Apparantly they were embarrased by this very psychedelic record, and decided it was best to put it out under a psuedonym. Too bad because it's a really good record with lots of studio effects and heady lyrics.

The New York Public Library

Got To Get Away / Time Wastin' : Great name for a British group right? The A-side is one of my fave British records. Great guitar, arrangement and vocals in a sort of electric folk vein run through a British strainer. The lyrics are equally good, dealing with the subject of getting one's life going and growing up. The B-side is ok but nothing spectacular. It's sort of country and western; passable but nothing special.

Orange Bicycle

Lets Take A Trip On A Orange Bicycle (album) : What a godsend this is! It's almost like Morgan Blue Town was offering a reward to all us patient fans who have yearned for years to have a collection like this. It ain't easy to find their singles, and an album that came out somewhere around 1970 bearing the group's name was a disappointment, so this collection of their great pop-sike singles is like manna from heaven. Before they were the Orange Bicycle, they called themselves the Robb Storme Group or Robb Storme and the Whispers, depending on what 45 of theirs you own. They were quite good at ther harmony beat sound, and proved their capabilities when they outdid the Beach Boys with their cover of "Here Today". When psychedelia hit, the boys simply orangezized and created several masterpieces of the era. Of course, the much revered hall of famer, "Hyacinth Threads" is included here, in fact it kicks off the album. If you're unfamiliar with this group your life is bordering on tedium, so I'd recommend getting it fast! Other flash bits include the bands cover of "Rennaissance Fair", which holds it's own against the Byrds version; "Dropping Out" which sounds alot like PET SOUNDS period Beach Boys and my personal favourite, "Competition" with it's marvy harmonies and a bit of advice for those wise enough to pick up on it. If you consider yourself a fan of the poppier psych material, this is the perfect album for you. It's one of the few records I've brought in the past year where every cut was good. The sound quailty is great and showcases the group's rich sound. Sixteen songs on one album. Pictures of the group. My recommendation, what more could you want?

The Smoke

My Friend Jack / We Can Take It : I'm assuming everyone is familiar with this essential piece of U.K. history. If not, at least get the re-issue! This 45 manages to out-who The Who.

Sharon Tandy

Stay With Me / Hold On : The A-side is of little merit on this record but the B-side, watch out! Miss Tandy lets loose with her best "lets - suduce - a - schoolboy" vocal while the Fleur De Lys provide a wild, no holds barred backing, complete with an over the top guitar solo. If way out records are your bag, this is it! Sharon was pretty good looking too.

Skip Bifferty

Skip Bifferty (album) : Well, well, well.....isn't this a goodie! A true psychedelic treasure. For fans of the poppier side of the psych sound this is must-own long player! Skip Bifferty grew out of another Newcastle group called the Chosen Few, but changed their name when trippier times arrived. They started recording the album in 1967 and finished by the end of the year, but apparantly RCA was reluctant to release it due to the poor chart action of the groups 45 releases. As I said before, an undisputed psych classic with a whole range of sounds, effects, and gimmicks, but never overdone. The songs range from the social commentary Kinks type track, "Jeremy Carabine" to the heady , ultra - psych drum-laden sound of "Guru" and back again to the pop sound of "Money Man". Almost all the songs feature a complicated mix with guitars and voices switching back and forth, coming and going, etc. Throw in some good harmonies, imaginative arrangements and a good measure of hipness and you've got a great record.

Virgin Sleep

Love / Haliford House : The first record from the Virgin Sleep appeared in September of '67 and was reportedly based on a budhist chant. I don't know about that, but it sure pulled out all the stops required for a record to be considered psychedelic in 1967. Dream-like vocals with a nifty little sitar rift dominate the A-side. The B-side features lyrics about a house for the mentally distured, a stunning little guitar solo stuck in the middle, and a trippy fade out on the vocals.

World Of Oz

Jack / King Croesus : The Oz had several 45's out on Deram, and all the ones I've heard have been great! Superb British pop with tinges of psychedelia thrown in for good measure. "Jack" is an upbeat song about a trip to the park with a great tune that gets itself stuck in your head so you go whistling it all day. "King Croesus is a slower, deep number with a really melancholy feel to it. It reminds me alot of "Reflections of Charles Brown" by Ruperts People. It has that same feel.

BACK TO THE ORIGINAL REVIEWS