Schnauser are a trio of musicians from Bristol, UK who seem to have collected a perfect blend of psychedelic, folk and baroque rock influences (The Beatles, Todd Rundgren, Syd Barrett, XTC and The Who) but ultimately it falls slightly short. Lead by the pop visionary Alan Strawbridge (The Lucky Bishops, Cheese) the best comparison I can give you is early Stackridge. The atmospherics and compositions are just beautiful, as each song blends seamlessly into one another. Opening with “Cosmic Ordering Service” it’s as compelling as anything The Pillbugs have ever done. The following “Twins of Evil” and vaudevillian “I Couldn’t F*ck A Gorilla” are both brilliant Peppery slices of mod-styled pop. The lyrics are simplistic as well as cryptic – like Zappa with writer’s block on “World of Whimsy.”
The concept of this album loosely covers the story of twins, one a rich and happy, the other a wretched soul who “freezes his ass” on the Beach Boys falsetto-laden “Homeless.” The concept really sparkles on “I Wuv You, Mommy” a Rundgrenesque masterpiece. There are so many melodies here stitched together, it takes several listens to appreciate each musical morsel. The big problem is that no single melodic theme stays around long enough to hook you. And the second you spot it, it’s gone. That lack of hooks is what takes the whole album down a notch, despite the great stuff on each track here – with the exception of the purposely off-key vocal on “You’re The Greatest Girl I’ve Ever Seen.” Overall it’s an innovative take on pysche-pop that will challenge the musically open-minded – like a musical rubik’s cube!
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Here is the band posing as Polish duo “Usmiecsh Zebiczny” singing “Quiches And Flans And Bottles And Bags.” It’s not an album track, but gives a good representation of Schnauser’s sound.
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