Detailed Reviews [Various Artists - 2024 - "Codroephenia"]

Prolusion. UK label Fruits de Mer Records is by now an established entity in the underground music scene, with cover versions of more as well as less known psychedelic rock gems and original material by veteran as well as new bands making the label's activities possibly more active than ever. With a press coverage that, at least at times, I suspect many other underground record labels may well envy them. For strictly promotional purposes, the label sent out the compilation album "Codroephenia" towards the end of 2024. A production that compiled examples from most of the music that the label released in 2024.

Analysis. It has always been a pleasure to investigate and writer about the singles, EPs and albums that Fruits de Mer Records have chosen to put their name on. The label have attached themselves to artists that have a generally high quality to the material they explore or create, and their definition of what falls in under the psychedelic rock moniker, in which the label specialize, is liberal enough to avoid becoming as narrow and niche in their release policy that might otherwise have been the case. For those lucky enough to get their hands on this compilation, it is one that is filled to the brim by solid excursions into the psychedelic rock universe. With obvious drops into the progressive rock universe along the way too, as these are styles and traditions of music that do have a bit of a close connection. Besides that all of the songs chosen for this compilation comes across as most solid entries indeed, there is also a great deal of diversity at hand. Those who love the more innocent sound of 60s psychedelic rock will get quite a lot of that, and if you tend to be more intrigued by the darker minded cousin garage rock you'll find material to enjoy here as well. We get a little bit of an Americana fuelled psychedelic flirt along the way too, but those fond of the more electronic flavored excursions haven't been forgotten either. We have slower paced melancholic affairs and more uplifting and spirited creations. Sons revolving around a more firm or minimalist expression, but also richly layered, vibrant a swell as majestic compositions. Sweet, salt and sour all represented as far as flavors go, whatever manner in which you regard the songs at hand here. While there is a lot of retro and vintage delight going on here, with the borderline Blue Oyster Cult sounding 'Black Tar Acid' by McDowell & Westaway as one of many fine examples of that, for my part I do find Italian band to be the most interesting of the artists present in this case. Their blend of dream pop, ambient music, electronica and psychedelic rock is a transfixing and alluring one to my ears. Showcasing a darker sounding kind of psychedelic beauty in quite the stunning manner.

Conclusion. Fruiits de Mer Records is a label you just can't go wrong with, at least as long as you appreciate psychedelic rock explored in a myriad of modes, moods and with an inclusive variety. This latest label compilation of theirs documents, once again, why this UK label has become renowned and why they still have a tendency to sell out just about everything they decide to release. A compilation well worth getting hold of, if you should be able to do so at some point.

Progmessor: January 2025
The Rating Room