Various Artists - 'Sounds Of Monsterism Island' (Forever Heavenly) Released 28/07/05

 

Blame the I Pod Shuffle or the MOJO sponsored cult of rock elitism if you want, but it seems we’re all interested in what other people’s record collections contain.  With the proliferation of various ‘All Back To Mine’ and ‘Under the Influence’ compilations doing the rounds, it now seems having run out of pop stars and djs to ask, even record sleeve designers are getting a look in. Thankfully Pete Fowler, the curator of this excellent album is no normal sleeve designer, but instead the man behind the world of ‘Monsterism’ most commonly viewed on the Super Furry Animals’ covers and set designs and if the sounds and concept behind this mix are to be believed, a man living in his own blissed out world. 

Intended as the soundtrack for some kind of imaginary utopian island paradise, ‘Sounds of Monsterism’ collects together all manner of rare and exotic slices of psyche, kitsch, and sixties day glo pop beginning with the sun kissed delights of the Millenium and taking in such established cult figures as Sagittarius, West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band and Manfred Mann. The overall mood is one of laid back tempos, harmonies, flutes and age of aquarius brass. Similar in fact to much of the Super Furries output.

Thankfully things do not get to saccharin sweet, and towards the middle of the album the trip turns bad with the insane riverdance on acid madness of East of Eden’s ‘Jig-A-Jig’ and the exemplary Sabbath/Blue Cheer post boogie sludge of contemporary rockers Dead Meadow. This is followed by the great German pre-glam classic ‘The Witch’ from the Rattles (a top tenner from 1970!) and the wonderful proto sampling magic of the Silver Apples. Mix in a slice of Demis Roussos’ Greek overlords, Aphrodite’s Child  with their ‘Funky Mary’ and you have a nigh on perfect mix and the most perfect encapsulation of Desert Island Discs your ever likely to hear.