RELATIONS AT THE BORDERS BETWEEN

Part Canterbury fun, part Komische space rock, this is a eminently enjoyable album, start to finish. With a psychedelic sound reminiscent of the 60s and 70s San Francisco scene (which is, coincidentally, from where this band hails).

1. "In the C" (5:14) is a very GONG-sounding jam with plenty of wild electronic gadgetry playing around in the background throughout. (10/10)

2. "Tick Tock" (2:29) Again, Daevid Allen's GONG is all that comes to mind while listening to this one. (9/10)

3. "Wish" (15:38) With this song the band move into the realm of space/psychedelia. (Not that Canterbury bands-- especially Gong and Steve Hillage--didn't use space/psychedelia sound palettes and techniques.) (9/10)

4. "In Two Os" (12:57) (8/10)

5. "Turn Switch to Trust" (10:43) is a very cool, very spacey, slow and ethereal journey into nether worlds--like a shamanic journey. Wonderful vocal layering throughout this beautiful song. (9/10)

6. "But the Love" (10:04) I love the slow build, "Hurdy Gurdy Man"-wavering of the guitar tracks and poetic lyrics of this one. (9/10)

7. "Out of C" (2:26) a true Country/Western-Bluegrass song! (8/10)

A real surprise and sleeper for 2013. Solid four stars.