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Schizo Fun Addict - 2025 - "An Introduction To"

(137:26; Fruits de Mer Records)


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TRACK LIST: 1. Theme One 3:00 2. Ogden's Nut Gone Flake 2:27 3. Theme From Suspiria 3:58 4. In The Long Run 3:23 5. Back of Her Car 0:57 6. Take a Heart 3:42 7. Jericho Son Down 3:46 8. Her Famous Wish 2:29 9. Who Will Be Gold 3:55 10. Reverse the One Me 0:58 11. Dedicated to the One I Love 2:26 12. Galactic Joke Part D 11:14 13. Fate Chaser 2:37 14. Over the Hills and Far Away 3:44 15. Forever Before 3:35 16. High School High 2:20 17. Outrun 4:28 18. Meet You in the Wind 3:46 19. Peace Walks By My Side 3:21 20. Dream It All 3:13 21. Crossing Over 4:54 22. Sun Daze 3:26 23. Whiskey 4:42 24. In This Station 3:10 25. Sorrow Comes to Town 3:03 26. Expressway 4:00 27. Shadow Mantra 4:46 28. Narcosis Fading 3:04 29. Dream of the Portugal Keeper. Part 2 3:04 30. Shadow Bossa 4:23 31. Day Alive 3:45 32. Window Pain Reprise [IV Mix] 2:42 33. Activate [2024 Mix] 3:23 34. Rainbow Chaser 4:18 35. Starry Eyes 4:54 36. The Hills Are Live With Swordfish 7:17 37. Ogden's Nut Gone Flake [Flake Mix] 3:16 LINE UP : Not stated

Prolusion. US band Schizo Fun Addict has been a going entity for a full quarter of a century at this point, but is also a band that I suspect most would describe as being a little bit of an underground entity. I suspect that many fans of the band, in particular thoise situated in Europe, will have come across them on some release or other by UK label Fruits de Mer Records. A label the band has worked with for the better part of 15 years. At the start of this year, the aforementioned UK label released the double compilation CD "An Introduction To", compiling just about all the songs the band have released through Fruits de Mer Records as well as adding some songs released by other labels alongside some previously unreleased songs.

Analysis. This is a compilation that spans the decades, quite literally speaking. As Fruits de Mer Records started out as a niche label specializing in new recordings of songs from yesteryear, quite a few of the songs on this compilation are cover versions. Some of well known artists of the past, others from artists that arguably were a little bit on the obscure side. We also get a solid amount of original compositions here, hence this compilation is a bit of a mixed bag too. Something old, something new, something borrowed and probably something blue too. At least if the definition of this phrase I looked up can be translated also into music and not merely be restricted to marriages. While there is an ample amount of variation to be found here, the one department where this band excel is in the creation and delivery of more ethereal compositions inside of what I'd generally describe as psychedelic pop/rock. Sleepy, subtly distanced and dreamladen lead vocals surrounded by flowing and floating sound textures of various kinds are key elements in those songs, and while always with some element or other with a more tangible presence the red thread is more of a dreamy and ethereal presence on one or more levels. Various kinds of undercurrents do make themselves known in many of these songs though, from a firmer but still light toned guitar framework underneath to a slightly darker tinged garage rock guitar presence somewhere beneath the surface. We do get songs here with more of a garage rock oriented expression too, and the band are just as skilled at exploring these landscapes, sometimes with a bit more of a cosmic tinge and on other occasions with what may be described as a little bit of a proto-punk feel to them. And we get material here with more of a cosmic or otherworldly mood and atmosphere too, creations more expressive and elaborate in their psychedelic intent and execution if you like. That we get the occasional song with a little bit of a post-punk vibe or an element that may possibly contain a little bit of a post-rock feel merits a mention too. In this case as elements that subtly expands the scope of the band rather than changes it outright. An additional trait that is present throughout is that these songs come with a vintage oriented sound to them too, in many cases the material sounds like it could have been recorded a few decades back. If not in the 60s then at least in the 70s. This retro-oriented atmosphere adds a ton of charm to the landscapes explored, and those with a nostalgic draw towards music that has a vintage sound will find this aspect of the material to be most charming indeed I would imagine. As tends to be the case for albums by Fruit de Mer Records, this is a production that is already sold out from the label itself. So those with a desire to grab this compilation will have to hit the internet record stores to see if any existing copies are to be found there. That is a bit of the charm when dealing with a label that release their productions in limited quantities. Which translates into "get it before it's gone (for good)."

Conclusion. Schizo Fun Addict is a quality band to get to know if you tend to be charmed by psychedelic rock in many different guises and of the kind that was explored back in the 1960s and 70s. While my personal opinion is that some of the songs towards the end were a bit less interesting than the rest, that is a matter of subjective taste. In sum this is a most solid compilation with many fine moments of brilliance, and a production to seek out by those who love the psychedelic rock of the 1960s and 1970s explored in more ethereal guises as well as in a subtly grittier and garage rock inspired manner.

Progmessor: April 2025
The Rating Room


Related Links:

Schizo Fun Addict


Fruits de Mer Records


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