SECOND TIME AROUND

- The first review -

In fact I'm listening for the very first time to a psychedelic rock album from Japan (I'm much deeper into Japan's symphonic prog). This is, as you guessed, the second album of Ghost, which is a six-piece group playing acoustically oriented, folky and hazy psychedelic rock sung in English. I was charmed at the first listening! The male voice isn't anything spectacular, a bit frail actually, but it suits perfectly to the music. Reminds me a bit of the vocals of Wishbone Ash.

The 48-minute album contains ten tracks. The opener 'People Get Freedom' is the shortest (1:45) and the most minimalistic. At first there's just a kantele-sounding instrument, soon joined by melancholic vocals and later on some psychedelic sonic elements. The title track is a slow-paced, dreamy song with soft percussion and hazy sounds, perhaps comparable to the More-era Pink Floyd around 1969, or The Doors at their softest. One member of the group plays flute, sax and theremin. Saxophone isn't much heard throughout this album, but flute increases the folk touch in several songs. Also the use of acoustic guitar and hand percussion is very reminiscent of the more psychedelic part of the late 60's/early 70's British folk rock era, bands such as Forest or Incredible String Band.

'Forthcoming from the Inside' is a 6-minute song with a slight jam approach. Here the drums are more muscular, and the vocals are more intense; think of Jim Morrison telling a story (although the chorus gets repeated quite a lot). 'Higher Order' calms back to the folk haziness, with a lovely Medieval atmosphere. 'Awake in a Muddle' is a slow, peaceful song driven by Ant Phillips-reminding acoustic guitar and some beautiful flute melodies. 'A Day of the Stoned Sky in the Union Zoo' (what a title!) is another great song full of mesmerizing, slow-paced melodies and the high-pitched flute evoking forestial, mystic images.

'First Drop of the Sea' is a very calm, dreamy, slow and moody song. I just love this stuff! Another association is Tim Buckley at his calmest. 'Under the Sun' is the weakest track, a half-baked campfire doodling with some wordless singing. After a mediocre song the final track, slow and calm 'Mind Hill', ends the album beautifully, with piano in the lead role. Oh my, this album really was a happy discovery for me! Warmly recommended to everyone enjoying hazy, folky psychedelic rock and acoustically oriented artists such as Anthony Phillips.

3.5 stars. GHOST were a six piece psychedelic/folk band from Japan who officially broke up in 2014. Their final live and studio albums were both released in 2007. An eight album run starting in 1990 with a consistent six piece lineup. While this is my least favourite of the four records I own by them, It's basically because this is the most straight up folk record of the four. It's almost like on this sophomore release they decided to get more serious and mature and as a result dropped the krautrock vibe from the debut, along with some of the gimmicks.

A 48 minute album, this was released in 1992 and features ten tracks. Vocals are male and in english. The song titles reveal that psychedelic spirit like "A Day Of Stoned Sunshine In The Union Zoo" which is where the album cover comes in. My favourite track is the longest "Orange Sunshine" at over 7 1/2 minutes. "Mind Hill" the closer is another psyche title. The opener "People Get Freedom" is the shortest at under 2 minutes and it's ethnic sounding and sparse before we get the title track and music that is more to my liking.

I just like their "sound" and spirit. A "live and let live" attitude embracing the spiritual. Psychedelic sunshine my friends. I'm bumping this one up as I truly enjoyed this one, despite feeling they did much better later on. While it never seems like I'm listening to a six piece band, I appreciate the flavours that are brought to the table, especially the flute. Great band!