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MUSHROOM

Psychedelic/Space Rock • United States


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Mushroom picture
Mushroom biography
MUSHROOM are a music collective based in the San Francisco Bay Area, known for an ever-changing lineup of rotating players. Alec Palao (bass), multi-instrumentalist Erik Pearson and drummer Patrick O'Hearn aka Pat Thomas shape the band's core since the beginning in the late 1990s. In collaboration with Graham Connah (keyboards), Tim Plowman (guitar) and Kurt Statham (bass) the first album 'Alive And In Full Bloom' was recorded around 1997/98 and released by Inbetweens Records.

'Never make the same album twice' - this seems to be the band's motto up to now. So their huge musical output is basically derived from improvisational sessions comprising a thrilling blend of styles in total. Where acid psych folk is the fundament, they often combine this with jazzy respectively canterbury moments reminiscent to Gong/Daevid Allen and Miles Davis. Mostly provided with a trippy atmosphere the albums can be considered as really special. The rich instrumentation includes diverse ethno percussion instruments. Due to the band's experimental attitude they are even sometimes classified as a krautrock outfit.

Appearing one year later 'Analog Hi-Fi Surprise' is frequently considered as their discog highlight. MUSHROOM's latest production 'Naked, Stoned & Stabbed' was released by UK label 4Zero Records. Ned Doherty (bass), Matt Cunitz (keyboards), Dave Brandt (percussion) and Josh Pollock (guitar, electronics) are additionally aboard this time to produce another relaxed album holding a great deal of improvisation.

MUSHROOM are worth remarking if you like to enjoy psych music which is presented off the beaten path.

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MUSHROOM discography


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MUSHROOM top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

0.00 | 0 ratings
Alive And In Full Bloom
1998
3.33 | 3 ratings
Cream Of Mushroom
1998
3.00 | 1 ratings
Hydrogen Jukebox
1998
3.00 | 5 ratings
Analog Hi-Fi Surprise
1999
3.50 | 2 ratings
Leni Riefenstahl
1999
2.00 | 1 ratings
Foxy Music
2001
3.00 | 2 ratings
Mad Dogs & San Franciscans
2003
3.00 | 1 ratings
Glazed Popems
2004
5.00 | 1 ratings
Joint Happening
2007
0.00 | 0 ratings
Why War ...?
2007
3.00 | 1 ratings
Naked, Stoned & Stabbed
2010

MUSHROOM Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

2.00 | 1 ratings
Oh, But They're Weird And They're Wonderful
2001
4.00 | 2 ratings
Really Don't Mind If You Sit This One Out
2006

MUSHROOM Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

MUSHROOM Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

MUSHROOM Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

MUSHROOM Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Naked, Stoned & Stabbed by MUSHROOM album cover Studio Album, 2010
3.00 | 1 ratings

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Naked, Stoned & Stabbed
Mushroom Psychedelic/Space Rock

Review by Rivertree
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Band Submissions

— First review of this album —
3 stars When comparing this new MUSHROOM album with the other band stuff I've already listened to, I would say it's provided with an extraordinary ethno and folk touch. The use of a standard drum kit is rare to find for example. And the jazzy aspect takes a backseat here nearly completely. What always stays is a special trippy and relaxed behaviour, an important, probably even the most important trademark. They are able to prepare such a friendly peaceful atmosphere which has no equal.

13 songs got a place on the album, recorded over a weekend at The Wally Sound in Oakland. As usual the sessions were both planned and spontaneous. Producer Pat Thomas often changed the instrumentalists on the fly trying to give each song a unique approach. Although you will always feel the jamming character the tracks are short and compact too, so much the more provided with a rich and varied instrumentation. The short Infatuation is the kick-off, an ordinary folk song featuring acoustic guitar and flute. The following Celebration At Big Sur gradually lets you immerge into the mysterious MUSHROOM realm then.

Which concretely means the psych component grows more and more with orchestron and echoed violin swirling around each other. And now you are really confronted with their accumulated competence for the first time when listening to Jerry Rubin: He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother - a wonderful atmospheric piece of work. Ned Doherty provides a repetitive bass line accompanied by bongos. The violin is irresistible, peculiarly alternating between a country and hallucinogenic flavour. And Matt Cunitz on top of it adds arcane organ and moog impressions. Wow - I like this one!

Now having reached a high level you can take a deep breath when following the spacey flow of All The Guitar Players Around Sean Smith ... - skillfully presented as well, including a slight Eastern balalaika touch. Take Off Your Face And Recover From That Trip You've Been On stylistically represents a turning away a bit when exploring the next songs. It's the jazzy groovy attitude this time - I assume an excerpt from a longer jam session expressing happiness and joy of playing. Tariq Ali stands for intensive raga impressions comprising massive sitar input and congas.

The other tracks are basically dominated by dreamy psych explorations ... the closing early Kevin Ayers song Singing A Song In The Morning is something special though losing every seriousness with a strong pop fundament. Released by UK label 4Zero Records 'Naked, Stoned & Stabbed' is a special trippy experience, something for laid back situations, predominantly interesting for freaks who are feeling comfortable when exploring progressive acid psych/folk connected with ethno elements - 3.5 stars.

Thanks to rivertree for the artist addition.

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