Octopus Syng - Beyond the Karmadelic Coldness, There's the Lovadelic Warmth
(Soundhawk)
Octopus Syng is a one-man band born out of the psychedelic haze of hippie-dippie flower child, Jaire Pätäre's imagination. Three years in the making, the project began in May, 2001 after Jaire "returned from India with a sitar in my hand and my head full of sunny vibes." Well if that alone doesn't make you want to rush right out and pick this up, read on, brothers and sisters! From that familiar sitar strum that opens the album with the instrumental "We Could Be Everywhere" to the gentle, acoustic mission statement, "It's So Nice To Feel High In The Summertime," "Beyond the Karmadelic Coldness..." combines a suitably mellow yellow Donovan vibe, with whimsical slices of unadulterated Syd Barrett pop (check out "Intuition Waltz" and then phone Robyn Hitchcock and tell him you've found his next single!)
"Frail Elehpant" is a rocking pop/psych winner, like any number of long-lost gems you discovered on the Rubbles psychedelic compilations (which may be only fitting, as Soundhawk owner Timo Pääkkö is also the leader of the wonderful psychedelic pop band, Electric Crayon Set, which the astute reader will recognize as the title of Volume 5 in the series!). A tasty little guitar solo is at the center of "Magical Moonlight and Mystic Girl." One of several songs to explore the oft-cited similarities between the psychedelic and dream states, it's a wonderfully warm, psychedelic lullabye a la Donovan's Gift From A Flower To A Garden 2xLP set.
The melody of the piano-based "Spring" reminded me of The Kinks "Celluloid Heroes," while the upbeat party song "Varanasi Rock and Roll All Night Long" combines The Ramones' trademark "1-2-3-4" introduction with a sitar-driven whirling dervish dance beat somewhat akin to Ravi Shankar covering The Hollies "Stop Stop Stop." Another marvelous one-man psych band, which will be of obvious interest to fans of Chris (Lamp of the Universe) Williamson, Karl (World Party) Wallinger, Kurt (Ultra Vivd Scene) Ralske, as well as pop psychsters Outrageous Cherry and, closer to home, Norway's Dipsomaniacs.
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