DOWNFALL OF GAIA - EPOS (2010)
After really developing a soft spot for their 2012 release
Suffocating in the Swarm of Cranes, I had to go backwards and listen to their debut release. On first listen it isn't quite as impactful but is another strong atmospheric, sludgy, post-metal record.
LIGHTNING - LIGHTNING (1970)
As far as I am aware this is the one studio album proper of an overlooked part of the American psych rock scene of the late 60's and early 70s. I think theres another album of material recorded in the late 60s that I may have to get on, but this one was a very good, bluesy record.
THE ZOO - PRESENTS CHOCOLATE MOOSE (1968)
Given the 60s kick I have been on these past two days, I just had to re-visit this one again. This record is right up there with the likes of the 13th Floor Elevators debut as one of my absolute favourite psych rock records of the era. A band together only two short years, guitarist Howard Leese would then go on to play in Heart and this is the only full-length documentation of their existance.
The album is wonderfully produced, especially in comparison to some other albums released around this time, features some of the best vocals of any 60s psych record I have ever heard, and in places displays some Standells-like proto-punk. I don't know how much of an influence this album was on anyone or anything, but I know I would need to consider the performance of certain favours to the right people to be able to afford a copy of this on vinyl, on the rare occasion one is listed.