Lo Recordings (Various Artists/ Pete Fowler)

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Key tracks:

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  1. Designated Wizard Practice Area
  2. Final Froog
  3. Seven Thousand Pound Bee

Label: Lo Recordings

Read Description:

Psyched-out, freak beats and exotic electronica.

Welsh-born artist Pete Fowler created Monsterism Island and its bizarre inhabitants in an ambitious multi-faceted art project. His style is instantly recognisable, having worked notably doing artwork for the Super Furry Animals as well as designing and manufacturing his own range of native creatures from Monsterism Island. "The Psychedelic Guide…" is the most accomplished in a series of compilations to provide musical accompaniment to this strange land. 

Fowler’s art, typified by bold colours and an accessible surrealism, is playfully odd and satisfyingly kitsch, on this album, he pulls off it's musical equivalent. New compositions taking in elements of Krautrock, traditional folk, acid country and twisted electronica are jammed out in a heady instrumental broth.

A glance down the track listing  and you see a wealth of talent (Luke Vibert, Gruff Rhys, Jerry Dammers, Future Sound of London, Beyond the Wizards Sleeve) contributing tracks with titles like "Mr. Sponge's Groovy Oscillation's" to the blissed out mish mash. The album isn't psychedelic in a tie-dyed, kaleidoscope eyes kinda way. Think of Lemon Jelly scoring the soundtrack to little big planet and your on the right path. The focus is on the brimming talent of British composers throwing their most surreal yet pleasing work into the melting pot of ideas that is Monsterism Island. 

"Final Frooq" by Tremortex is a perfect example of the delightful quirky feel embodied by this compilation, it manages to be completely oddball but totally accessible. It's Hawaiian guitars gently lead us down to the beach before it's beats create minor skirmish on the sands."Seven Thousand Pound Bumble Bee" is a fuzz-bass led groove that is funky as hell - you can almost feel the static electricity bouncing off it.

 

Things to watch:

Releases we represent:

  • A Psychedelic Guide To Monsterism Island | Album | Lo Recordings | 2009 Release available in the USA

Quotes:

“It’s not something you can cobble together from the crumbs down the back of your ipod.” NME
 
“Now I’ve made it to Monsterism Island I never want to leave.” Artrocker
 
“There’s one thing this 27-track collection never is and that’s boring.” DJ Magazine
 
“Everything fits; perfect for drinking Mai Tais to.” Plan B
 
“…an enjoyable trip through British nu-psychedelia…a varied and whimsical delight.” Q
 
“…somewhere between Michael Bentine and The Mighty Boosh”
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Tracks included on the following sampler: