Monday, November 29, 2021

Rainbow - After the Storm (1968 us, significant fuzzy psych rock, 2008 release)



A short-lived Los Angeles-based project. Their album has a great cover. The contents incorporate several different styles. All the music is written by W. David Mohr except couple of tracks, and much of it is heavy with lots of fuzz guitar reminiscent of Iron Butterfly. A sorta West Coast sound which seems in places distinctly similar to Fever Tree's San Francisco Girls (well spotted, Max!); pretentious pop with lots of keyboards (Midnight Candle); gimmickry with lots of sound effects (Does Your Head Need Straightening?) to the very plesant After The Storm, which has some delighfful soothing piano.
 
The original sleeve of this eclectic collection of Los Angeles psychedelia promised it would deliver 'a feeling of newness'. And indeed few albums from 1968 could boast such a range of styles, taking in acid rock, sunshine pop and heavy soul, with plenty of fuzz guitar and progressive keyboard interludes along the way. An overlooked gem that's sure to appeal to fans of classic underground music.
Tracks
1. Debby's Party - 0:32 
2. The Ballad of Captain Bob and the Good Ship Venus (Bob Gay, Darrell Devlin) - 4:39 
3. Love Allusions - 3:08 
4. Milk And Honey Lovin' - 3:56 
5. I Just Want to Make Love to You (Willie Dixon) - 4:48 
6. Leaf Clover - 3:17 
7. Prelude to the Music Makers Concerto - 1:28 
8. Does Your Head Need Straightening? - 6:02 
9. Midnight Candle - 6:17 
10.Mary Lou - 1:51 
11.Everything's - Cool 2:38 
12.After the Storm - 5:28
All songs by W. David Mohr except where indicated

Rainbow
*Darrell Devlin - Drums, Percussion, Vocals
*Bob Gay - Bass
*W David Mohr - Organ, Piano, Flute, Trumpet, Vocals
*Harry Vavela - Guitar, Vocals
With
*Barry Rillera - Saxophone