CROWN OF CREATION

Though not containing such evident hit songs as the hippie-hey-day records of this group had, this album presenting the matured group with fine songwriting skills and interesting artistic approach is very fine album still. Songs often cover themes of peace & love ideologies clashing with the standards of the society of the time of recording. Musically the folky side of the group is strongly present, and songs are recorded with thought, focusing to all kinds of supporting effects and fine arrangements supporting the compositions. The songs form a solid mellow, sad and hazy entity. Both rich harmony vocals of Grace and "the regular guys" are wonderful, bringing nice tension to the band's sound.

My favorite tracks are the opener "Lather", spinning a calming web around a tale of a person not following the conservative paths of his friends promoted by the family, but escape to individualistic and non-profit gaining directions. In the mellow song "Triad" Grace tells opinions about free love, making me sweat seriously. Following "Star Trek" is a bluesy rock number with really fine melodies, and I liked this too much. Title song naming the album is also a bluesy psych rocker hippie anthem which evolves interestingly, featuring nice jazzy passages and calmer moments where the rhythm fades away, and the composition is not returning to any earlier parts again. Last original song starts with killer Pooneil sounds, and closes the album with style. The other songs in the original album are good too, varying from mellow psych blues/folk rockers to aural noise experiment. I have heard some of the extra tracks featuring Frank Zappa and the fellows, but I'm uncertain if this small amusement tracks bring much extra value to the record musically.

If you know and like the evident hit records of this fabulous group, do not forget to check out this really fine record too.