Kaleidoscope (UK) - Faintly Blowing

Kaleidoscope
Faintly Blowing
Compact Disc
Repertoire REPUK 1047

1. Faintly Blowing
2. Poem
3. Snapdragon
4. A Story From Tom Bitz
5. (Love Song) For Annie
6. If You So Wish
7. Opinion
8. Bless the Executioner
9. Black Fjord
10. The Feathered Tiger
11. I'll Kiss You Once
12. Music
*~*~*bonus tracks*~*~*
13. Do it Again For Jeffrey
14. Poem (mono single)
15. Balloon
16. If You So Wish (mono single)
17. Let the World Wash In
18. Mediaeval Masquerade

The "toytown" sound demonstrated on Kaleidoscope's first album has grown up. Be warned, though, that, while the songwriting has indubitably matured, the music seems to lack the catchiness of that of Tangerine Dream. Matter of fact, a couple of songs on here can be downright dissonant at times—especially the album closer, "Music", which I sometimes think could make today's goth types weep.

Gandalf - Gandalf

Gandalf (self-titled)
Compact Disc
Sundazed 6152


1. Golden Earrings
2. Hang on to a Dream
3. Never Too Far
4. Scarlet Ribbons
5. You Upset the Grace of Living
6. Can You Travel in the Dark Alone
7. Nature Boy
8. Tiffany Rings
9. Me About You
10. I Watch the Moon


One of the psych-pop classic albums. Great, original sound, with melodic, kind of atmospheric vocals and a dominant Hammond B3 organ—a treat for the ears. According to the liner notes, it wasn't really intended that way, but it sounds great nonetheless, from their takes on Tim Hardin's "Hang on to a Dream" and "Never Too Far" to the remarkable electric-sitar-laden original "Can You Travel in the Dark Alone."

July - July

July (self-titled)
Compact Disc
Rev-Ola 243

1. My Clown
2. Dandelion Seeds
3. Jolly Mary
4. Hallo to Me
5. You Missed it All
6. The Way
7. To Be Free
8. Move on Sweet Flower
9. Crying is For Writers
10. I See
11. Friendly Man
12. A Bird Lived
*~*~*Bonus Tracks*~*~*
13. My Clown (single version)
14. Dandelion Seeds (single version)
15. Hello, Who's There?
16. The Way (single version)


True psychedelia. 'Nuff said.

Picadilly Line - The Huge World of Emily Small

Picadilly Line
The Huge World of Emily Small
Compact Disc
Lightning Tree Records 004

1. Emily Small (The Huge World Thereof)
2. Sliver Paper Dress [sic]
3. At the Third Stroke
4. Can You See Me?
5. Your Dog Won't Bark
6. How Could You Say You're Leaving Me
7. Gone, Gone, Gone
8. Twiggs
9. Tumble Down World
10. Visions of Johanna
11. Come and Sing a Song
12. Her Name is Easy
*~*~*bonus tracks*~*~*
13. Rosemary's Bluebell Day
14. Gunny Sunside
15. Country Girl
16. No One Else Can See
17. Yellow Rainbow
18. I Know, She Believes
19. Evenings With Corinna
20. My Best Friend
21. Memories Fade
22. I Can Tell You Everything

Essential for fans of British "toytown" pop-psych. 'Nuff said.