Austin-based Future Clouds and Radar, lead by multi-instrumental ensemble led by Robert Harrison (formerly of Cotton Mather) releases this very short album (only 8 tracks) and jumps from folk pop to pastoral art rock. Last year’s debut was one of the best albums of 2007. This year’s “Peoria” opens with the expansive arrangements of electric guitar and strings in “The Epcot View” would fit nicely on the last album. Harrison then channels Neil Young on “Old Edmund Ruff” before picking up the pace with “Feet On Grass,” a psyche-organ romp worthy of Mike Pinder. Both frustrating and mesmerizing is the wonderful opening to “Mummified” that plays like an Supertramp epic that devolves into The Beatles “Revolution #9” it is one of the best tracks here. The use of fuzz box guitar and ghostly vocals give the entire album the feel of kaleidoscopic smoke.The later tracks sound good but seem to be unfocused (“Eighteen Months”) or trying for a more epic psyche-orchestral mood than anything else (“The Mortal” and “Mortal 926”). Missing a very strong power pop tune may turn off some Cotton Mather fans, but if you’re willing to explore Harrison’s acid trip you will be not be disappointed.
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Unfortunately in Australia, you have to add $5 for postage, so $18 US for 8 songs is really expensive.
I played the first album a lot, and could hear it was accomplished, but didn’t seem to respond emotionally to it. Not really sure why, maybe I should just go back to it and try again.