Single Reviews: Fruits de Mer Records – October Releases
I look forward to Fruits de Mer records coming through my door. In some ways it seems strange that nobody else on the Silent Radio team seems to get jealous that I end up reviewing a good chunk of them – but it does make sense, because what Fruits de Mer (FdM) do is not normally everybody’s cup of tea – it’s anything but mainstream. The music they usually release is a combination of psychedelia, 60s-style garage music and the occasional... Read More
Single Review: The Lucid Dream – Hits Me Like I’m Stoned
What’s not to like about the crazy kids* at Fruits de Mer records? They are a small, independent UK label; they only release on limited edition vinyl; they have a sister label called ‘Regal Crabomophone’ (whatever that’s supposed to mean); they even send their press releases on shiny silver 200gsm paper… Fruits de Mer are a creative bunch, but they release pretty much exclusively psychedelic tracks with a retro feel.... Read More
Album Review: Fruits de Mer Records – Sorrow’s Children
The Pretty Things’ 1967 album ‘S. F. Sorrow’ is the tragic story of the life of Sebastian F. Sorrow (“nobody knew what the ‘F’ stood for, and nobody really cared”); from humble beginnings, interrupted by war and destroyed by the death of his life-long love. It has been referred to as “the first rock opera” – having been released the year before the Who’s ‘Tommy’. Despite not being acknowledged... Read More
Fruits de Mer/Regal Crabomophone – Annual 2012 (free download)
There are two records on offer in this special-edition double 7” vinyl set; one each from the sister labels Fruits de Mer and Regal Crabomophone. It’s nice to see young people producing real physical things; it’s how the government wants the population to dig them out of our current economic hole. It’s refreshing too, that what’s being produced is so unashamedly niche and uncompromising in a climate of generic bands who attempt... Read More
EP: Fruits de Mer Records – Do Not Adjust Your Set
This latest release from the splendid Fruits de Mer record label is a six track EP that is a kitsch retro fest. Six theme tunes, three each from the halcyon days of the BBC and ITV when summer holidays meant badly dubbed and almost impossible to follow TV shows from the colonies, and SUPERMARIONATION meant cool puppets on (nearly invisible) strings. I feel slightly hard done by that I’ve got to write this review from a CDR copy of the EP when I... Read More
Album Review: Cranium Pie – Mechanisms Part 1
I used to go to music college with this guy: http://youtu.be/6eehugX2zOI *. I occasionally went to his house to listen to mind-bending music, look at his (insane) art and borrow books like Robert Sheckley’s ‘Dimension of Miracles’. He has an amazing collection of 60s garage and psychedelia as well as obscure gold, like The Residents’ 3rd Reich and Roll. Cranium Pie’s first LP: Mechanisms Part 1 reminds me of nothing more... Read More
