RELATIONS AT THE BORDERS BETWEEN

3.5 stars. These seven tracks were compiled from some improvised sessions they did in their home city of San Francisco in May of 2012. This is a long one at close to 73 minutes with the last five songs ranging from 10 to16 minutes. I was really surprised at this one after being blown away by their previous album "Time To Get Up". These were from improvs though so a lot of jamming and space here but it's not even close as far as the quality of songs go. Still it's tough not giving this 4 stars knowing how good the vocals and compositions were on "Time To Get Up" and then hearing both being not as good but still impressing me. Problem is there's lots of so-so sections and even songs keeping me from going all in on 4 stars.

Man those first two shorter tracks had me wondering what was going on. I mean I give Peter and the band credit for going to far away places and shaking things up from that earlier record but it just doesn't always work. "In The C" is catchy and the vocals are given prominence. Just not big on this one. Even less so with "Tick Tock Rock" with those soft vocals and sound. "Wish" and "Turn, Switch, Trust" are the two tunes I like quite a bit and we are in four star territory with these. Experimental early but when it turns powerful I'm all in. Vocals at 2 minutes and this is so good. Some flute too leading the way then more vocals and a spacey calm. It becomes quite catchy with electronics and flute as it builds then they jam to the end.

"In Tow Os" puts the focus on the vocals but man after 10 minutes it turns surprisingly heavy to the end. Really good. "Out The C" ends it and it opens with these beautiful sounds in atmosphere and it stays sparse until kicking in around 2 1/2 minutes and those vocals get passionate at times as it trips along with sounds that echo. Some cool vocal arrangements before 6 minutes as the sound gets fuller. It calms down late to the end. "Turn, Switch, Trust" the other song I really like opens with this gorgeous atmosphere with light guitar. Beats and bass then these emotional vocals arrive along with experimental sounds. Atmosphere 6 minutes in leads the way then vocals at 7 1/2 minutes as themes are repeated. Gotta love his passion 9 minutes in.

I am thrilled to own "Time To get Up" and have BEYOND-O-MATIC in my Psychedelic collection but this one was more challenging in different ways.