THE FUTURE KINGS OF ENGLAND

4.5 stars. This was the first ever release by THE FUTURE KINGS OF ENGLAND. A preview really of their debut album that would be released 2 years from this EP, and these three tracks would be featured on that one.

"10:66" is spacey and dark to open as bass and guitar play slowly. It kicks in with drums around a minute. Outstanding sound here. It all stops before 3 minutes but the spacey winds continue with spoken words. It's building. Heavy 5 minutes in.The yelling after 7 1/2 minutes reminds me of that song by SH'MANTRA. Very cool. "October Moth" is relaxed with bass, drums and guitar. Some spacey sounds in the background and we do get some outbreaks.The tempo picks up later then it ends as it began.

"Lilly Lockwood" is a demo but you wouldn't know it. The guitar echoes slowly in this relaxed atmospheric soundscape. It kicks in at 1 1/2 minutes then settles around 3 minutes. It's building and we can hear voices in the background. Very psychedelic before 7 1/2 minutes then a calm arrives as it becomes so heavenly sounding to the end.

I have to say that this EP is darn near perfect, but it is an EP. Very tempting to give this 5 stars which isn't too surprising considering that their followup first album is my favourite from them, and a five star album in my books.

The Future Kings Of Psychedelia they are!

Let me ask a question what their purpose for the musical style is. The answer may be involved in the first track 10:66 on this silver disc I guess. We can harvest various sound-crops in 10:66 area; the Kraut-ish opening with mechanical noises, depressive and spacey meteor showers, heavy and psychedelic fuzz guitar solo, inorganic narration and dry, mellow flute sounds blended with loud guitar shouts, and the last aggressively cool rock and roll rush - all held by steady and lazy drumming. Ian's trailing guitar razz, Simon's slithery drumming, and Karl's bass rigidity can boost morale and activity of each other. And surprisingly, this song can get some pop texture in spite of full of progressive elements as previously mentioned. Awesome one.

October Moth is very comfortable in their laid back play, and contrary to this comfort, the sounds and noises like sawing off a metallic tree are also amazing. They should not betray our hope that they are always eccentrically shining. Of course, again various psychedelic fantastic scenes can be seen in the last track Lilly Lockwood (demo). The very last part is very mellow and dreamy but a bit eerie and foreseeing - how mysterious their atmosphere is I wanna say.

Finally, the simple sleeve can be very amazing for me - cannot help myself and burst out chuckling. This EP has wonder and mystery. Recommended.