FINEST FINGER

Sensations Fix come from Italy but I find that as hard to believe as the fact that this album is from 1976. This fluid psychedelic rock with weird harmonics and punk vibe rather seems to come from Germany, and the hazy sound almost belongs to the end 80's psych revival of bands like Loop and Spacemen3. But Italy 1976 it is.

My favourite is the opener, a gripping rock song with dreamy guitar chords and chorused bass guitar. The refrain boast a crunchy riff with a type of distortion that sounds exactly like one of my favourite American post-punk bands from a few years later, The Wipers. Coincidence? I don't know, but even the song could have been on a Wipers album. It's sure very refreshing to hear this type of song and sound as early as 1976.

The opener is followed by a string of more traditional and mainly instrumental psychedelic rock songs. All of them driven by upbeat drums and groovy Eastern-tinged bass and guitar riffs. All songs have a slightly off-hand feel, as if they were demo recordings. Not that the sound is bad, it's very clear and organic, but there's a loose vibe, suggestion the guys were mainly just having a bit of fun.

Hawkwind must have been a sure influence. Boat Of Madness reminds me of the Hawk-sound of those years, a sound that came close to early post-punk bands like Magazine, especially due to the way synths are used, not as a solo instrument but rather to add that typical cold atmosphere and catchy melodic leads. The track Finest Finger is a great example of it.

The album is a bit short and apart from the stunning opener it lacks true eye-catchers to warrant more then 3 stars from me. But it's a very nice album nevertheless!