MIND CONTROL

3.5 stars. "Mind Control" was released in 2012 and it sort of sits in the middle as far as favourites go of the SUN DIAL records I own. Kind of like my rating I suppose. I'm a big fan of two of their 90's recordings "Other Way Out" and "Return Journey" while "Made In The Machine" from 2016 might actually be my favourite but I need to spend more time with that beast being a double album. "Acid Yantra" and Zen For Sale" I'd rate below "Mind Control". So yes Gary Ramon's project has been a little hit and miss over the years but the man knows his psychedelia. There has been a different lineup for every studio album as Gary brings in who he needs and sometimes it's all him. He started out as THE MODERN ART in the 80's before switching to SUN DIAL in 1990 when he decided to play his music live.

He's brought in a violinist, drummer and bass player while he adds guitar, mellotron on one track, mini-moog, organ and vocals. Side one is called "Yellow Side" while side two is called "Blue Side". You can't get this info anywhere else(haha). "Mountain Of Fire And Glass" is quite the epic title and to my ears this is Krautrock but I just haven't warmed up to it like I thought I would. Melancholy and vocals that mumble along. Some cool guitar expressions when the vocals step aside and later the guitar echoes. A dark and melancholic piece that suddenly brightens before 8 minutes but it's too late.

"Radiation" is the only track with mellotron along with lots of intricate sounds. Drums eventually kick in. It's more powerful after 4 minutes then calms down late. "Burned In" is static, organ, samples, synths and more and under 2 minutes. The title track begins side two and it's intense right from the hop as it gets louder and this is uptempo. Very repetitive but I much prefer this to the opener. "Last Rays Of The Sun" is a 4 minute tune where the guitar stands out. Mellow with some brief Post rock sounds.

The closer "In Every Dream Home A Heartache" just blows up everything else on here. And that is reflective of my rating as well when the best track bar none is a cover. And a ROXY MUSIC cover from the great "For Your Pleasure" album. Amazing job done by Ramon on this and when it kicks in it kicks in. So good. Riffs hit us hard.

So a very well done album that some rate very highly. That first track has negative vibes for me so not a good start but that's just me. Well worth checking out for you Neo Psychedelia fans.