Label: Fallout (UK), FOCD2032
Style: Psychedelic Rock, Prodressive Rock
Country: Canada / U.S.
Time: 32:44
Format: Flac Tracks 16/44,1 kHz
Size: 173 Mb
If you've been searching for an album full of dreamy, pseudo-psych pop-rock, or ever wondered what The Association would have sounded like had they been a truly cool band, then 1969's "The Stone Circus" may be the answer to your search. Largely written by keyboardist Caine, the album wasn't the most original thing you've ever heard, but was never less than enjoyable and actually beat the crap out of a lot of better known and more commercially successful late-1960s releases. Musically tracks such as 'What Went Wrong', 'Sara Wells', and 'Inside-Out Man' were full of pretty melodies, sweet harmony vocals, and interesting studio effects. In terms of performances, Paige had a nice voice that was well suited to the band's blend of commercial moves and more psych/experimental efforts. Elsewhere, guitarist Haines offered up plenty of feedback drenched guitar on tracks such as 'Mr. Grey' and 'Blue Funk' while Cain provided equally impressive keyboards. While the whole album was worth a spin, my personal favorites fell on the psych side of the house, including 'Adam's Lament' and the truly bizarre closer 'People I Once Knew'.
- Sporting some sweet group harmonies and a slightly MOR arrangement (including vibes), ' What Went Wrong' started out as a mid-tempo ballad, and then slipped into a more rockin' mode for the remainder of the song. As mentioned earlier, to my ears it sounded a bit like a stoned version of The Association. That was meant as a compliment. Very commercial (in a mid-1960s fashion). rating: *** stars
- David Keeler's innovative bass and Jonathan Caine' organ gave 'Adam's Lament' an intriguing opening that was picked by one of Ronnie Paige's best vocals. Like the opener, this one managed to meld a commercial orientation with a distinctive acid tinged feel that was underscored by some of Sonny Haines most impressive fuzz guitar. In fact, my only complaint on this one was that it faded out way to soon ... rating: **** stars
- 'Mr. Gray' found the band dipping their collective toes into the concept song arena. One of the album's hardest rocking tracks (be sure to check out the fuzz effects on this one), Caine's driving keyboards provided the highlights on this one. Mainstream actually tapped this one as an instantly obscure single. For anyone interested, Barry Yank re-recorded the song on an obscure 1972 album "The Diary of Mr. Gray". rating: *** stars
- Opening up with some great Haines fuzz guitar (see a pattern here), 'Blue Funk' found the band playing around with an intriguing mix blue-eyed soul and more straightforward rock. Yeah the 'dollhouse' sections were momentarily disconcerting, but the song quickly regained its footing. One of my favorite tracks. rating: **** stars
- Like clowns themselves, songs built on carnival themed melodies normally don't do a great deal for me so I wasn't expecting much from 'Carnival of Love'. The first 30 seconds or so of this one weren't all that promising, but then the song exploded into another slice of lysergic soaked Association harmony-rich pop. Not sure the 'carnival of love' line would be a particularly impressive pick up line in this day and age, but maybe back in 1969 it carried more weight ... rating: **** stars
- With an insidiously catchy refrain, 'Sara Wells' was such an over-the-top slice of social commentary that it instantly won my affections. Another track that I wish had been a bit longer. rating: **** stars
- As you probably guessed from the title, 'Inside-Out Man; was one of the album's most psychedelic efforts. Waves of fuzz guitar, swirling Hammond, acid-tinged vocals, nifty bass line ... Hard not to love this one !!! rating: **** stars
- 'Camino Real' was a pounding rocker built on a hyperactive Keeler bass line. Yeah, the lyrics haven't aged all that well "poison never kills if its used tastefully ..." but musically this one really cooked. rating: **** stars
- Yeah, the spoken word introduction and closing sections of 'People I Once Know' were a bit-over-the-top, but if you could sit through them, you were rewarded by a dazzling Haines fuzz solo (probably his best performance on the album), followed by an equally impressive Caine Hammond tour-de-force. rating: **** stars
(badcatrecords.com/STONEcircus.htm)
01. What Went Wrong (02:27)
02. Adam's Lament (02:36)
03. Mr. Grey (03:07)
04. Blue Funk (02:36)
05. Carnival Of Love (03:01)
06. Sara Wells (03:08)
07. Inside-Out Man (05:11)
08. Camino Real (03:33)
09. People I Once Knew (07:00)
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