ON THE SUNDAY OF LIFE...

I know a lot of PT's fan don't like this, and I certainly don't recommend a fan of their newer stuff should get this - not for a while, at least. This is for those fans that have at least 5 or more PT albums in their collection, then become interested in the bizarre history of how the band/ Steve Wilson started (because that's what happened to me)

PT are often likened to Pink Floyd - so much so, that Steve Wilson is probably somewhat annoyed by it, and wants PT to be its own band, and he shouldn't worry - they really are! I know you see a fair number of Pink Floyd tee-shirts at their gigs - but he shouldn't worry -treat it as a compliment!

Many years ago - as a fan of Pink Floyd, I became a bit to fascinated by the sad story of Syd Barrett, and went and found a copy of Piper at The Gates of Dawn. I totally loved it! - and it remains one of my favourite albums of all time. It was pure psychedelia with the beginnings of Space Rock as you all know! The old fashioned feel mixed with the fascinating story of Syd Barrett makes it all the more meaningful.

More recently I have gotten into PT, and with time developed quite an interest in how SW started it all - faking a band with weird band members such as Timothy Tadpole Jones etc... and also putting together all by himself on his own equipment - something any one of you can do by the way.

Having many PT albums in my collection, I strove to find a copy of "On the Sunday of Life...", and found one of the most bizarre and peculiar albums I have ever heard. With the odd story and old fashioned feel - it felt just like the re-discovery of "Piper at the Gates of Dawn" (although admittedly very different), and I was instantly hooked. (note - a similar thing happened to me with Genesis)

I know a lot of PT fans hate this, but I disagree - I think they probably went for this too soon. The better way is to get to know most of their other music, then with this behind you - get interested in the beginnings, then buy this.

It's truly awesome - soft gentle beginning with Music for the Head (makes you feel like you are floating!), then it really is the total "rediscovery" of Psychedelia. This album really is psychedelic, just like no-one else had done since the end of the 60`s. Then, amazingly - like Interstellar Overdrive and Astronomy Domine - you find repeated here again the beginnings of Prog Rock in Radioactive Toy and It will Rain for a Million Years. The rest is a facsinating journey through a re-birth of psychedelia - Jupiter Island, The Nostalgia Factory, Nine Cats (my personal favourite), Footprints, Linton Samuel Dawson, The Swallows Dance around the Sun, Queen Quotes Crowley (essence of Pow R Toc H), and This Long Silence are all truly amazing tracks - and fascinate me how he ever thought of them and put them together.

On the sleeve notes, SW says ever so occasionally he meets someone who says that this is their favourite PT album - not sure I am quite one of those, but I very nearly am!

5 stars - but remember follow the right path. If you get it too soon, you may well not like it. Be patient, and it will be!