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Buzz For Aldrin

by The Pillbugs

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Ben Thomas
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Ben Thomas The greatest Psych-pop and Prog-pop album of my life. The journey of this album is a masterclass in weaving recurring melodic and lyrical ideas together, not as a mere exercise but, in a way that lifts the mood & story that Mark Mikel envisions. It’s pure aural bliss. The title track is so emotive that it defies description. You can feel it down deep. “Lost Lonely Sailor” gives me a nostalgic feeling every single time. “Brilliant But Late Advice” is the overture. 500 characters i Favorite track: Lost Lonely Sailor.
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King Of Zorg 03:36
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No Joke (free) 05:17
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Spaced-Out 04:04
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Al Gabone 04:15
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Closer 02:26
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Sidecar 06:27
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My Heroine 01:35
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Good To Be Alive (free) 03:04
I pray to my God but, my God is sleeping So shocked to receive such a plague on my worth But it's so good to be alive and breathing With the hand of doom pounding at my door Help me to the window I've always loved the sun Wrap me up and leave me there I'l get some writing done Last note to my lover She always was the one I shout to the crowd but, the crowd is wasted They can't seem to see through the tears in their eyes But it's so good to be alive and breathing With the hand of doom pounding at my door
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about

The 4th album by The Pillbugs- Buzz For Aldrin. Originally released in 2007. Now available in HD 24/96 transferred from the analog master tapes.

Reviews:

"The Pillbugs' latest effort, Buzz for Aldrin, is as good as psychedelic pop can get. The new album features 24 new tracks in a two-CD set that outdoes even their most ambitious efforts. A deluxe, full-color 28 page booklet includes all lyrics and original artwork by Mark Roland. Drawing strongly on the late 60's era it contains the finest psychedelia and baroque pop. Besides all the sonic effects we hear sitars, cellos, harpsichords and all the other ingredients for this wonderful brand of music. Think of the psychedelic songs of the Beatles, Love, Beachboys, Dukes of the Stratosphear, Dipsomaniacs etc. We believe this release offers the best psychedelic music available anywhere." -Clearspot (www.clear-spot.nl)

The Pillbugs - Buzz For Aldrin

"The Pillbugs are a psych-pop band that generally gives you plenty of both sides of that hyphenated phrase, mixing crazy kaleidoscopic music with classic melodies and hooks. I suppose if you’re not into retro you might not find much here, but The Pillbugs aren’t mere imitators. They are keeping alive a great musical form, and Id put this two disc set up with many of the reissues getting praised in any of the last few issues of Ugly Things.

That being said, I want to make two observations up front about this collection. First, on this album, the ‘bugs delve a bit more into the proggier aspect of psychedelic music, with some stretched out instrumental sections and more complex songwriting. In so doing, they never veer off into the land of self-indulgence. As always, their instincts are perfect. Second, while I’ve always found Jeff Lynne, especially his late-‘60s and early ‘70s work (spanning The Move and early Electric Light Orchestra) to be a major influence on the band, they really top themselves here. I could probably make a 10-song CD-R compilation of tracks from this album and market it on Ebay as the great lost ELO album, and I’m sure I’d fool people. I can’t think of a much higher compliment to give these guys.

Right now, as I’m typing, I’m listening to one of those Lynne-escent tracks, “Sidecar”. The only thing that I suppose gives it away is the actual lack of an orchestra. The song starts out with a guitar part (which is later used as the underpinning of “In the End (Youre Moving On)”) that has heft and importance, joined then by some slightly bluesy licks which lead into the verse. Here, we get a sound reminiscent of Lynne’s R & B excursions like “Showdown”, building to an intense chorus, and the bridge out of the chorus a lovely melodic interlude. The bridge melts perfectly into the sunshiney middle eight. This song contrasts the pretty and the intent, while the central lyrical conceit (sidecars never run away) is a bit silly -- and I dig it all the more for that.

The Pillbugs reach levels of sophistication that other psych-pop acts don’t usually achieve, while never losing their sense of fun. So when they knock off an epic track, such as the title cut, they indulge themselves without being pretentious. “Buzz for Aldrin” begins with an Eastern sounding psychedelic motif, and the song is effectively a series of movements. It’s not just verse-chorus-verse, as there are two different extended instrumental breaks that are essential to the song. These breaks don’t overstay their welcome, adding to the power of the song. Every time they do come back with a verse or chorus, it’s just that much more powerful. And the guitar work on both breaks is great. The first interlude mixes more Middle Eastern guitar with some piano, the second is simply the band rocking out, sending the song into overdrive, though it winds into more places in the last couple of minutes. Great stuff. And the other epic track on this collection, “Brilliant But Late Advice”, is also terrific and works in the same lyrical theme about the sky, sea, and summer rain. This song actually works in some musical motifs that seem folk and classical inspired, while later throwing in some Beach Boys styled ba ba ba harmony vocals and prog rock keyboard ornamentation.

Still, it all gets down to the band’s ability to craft killer pop hooks. And they have those in spades. “She’s In Style” comes in all bouncy and sweet, like The Turtles, but the chorus is pure E.L.O. -- swirling and wonderful. Instantly memorable stuff. Meanwhile, “Milkman’s Wife” is classic British pop (circa 1967) style whimsy, as the band takes a basic arrangement and decorates it throughout the track. “The Last Confederate Soldier” is a good piano based song, a bit bluesy, with a very playful feel. And “Make Like Arthur Lee” is a good demonstration of how to let a song build -- and that sky, sea, summer rain lyric comes into play yet again.

Since I am lost without a lyric sheet, I’m not sure if the recurring lyrical and musical themes are evidence of a true concept album. But if so (and I’m reviewing off an advance copy) then there are even more levels to enjoy. Regardless, The Pillbugs are one of the premiere modern psych-pop bands, so full of ideas (and with the ability to execute them) that a double album isn’t excessive – it’s really the only realistic way to allow them their due." -Mike Bennett (Fufkin.com)

credits

released May 22, 2012

The Pillbugs:
Mark Kelley - bass/vocal/guitar/glock
Scott Tabner - electric and acoustic guitar
Dan Chalmers - drums/tympani
David Murnen - vocal/tambourine/marracas/percussion/gong
Mark Mikel - vocal/guitar/keys/sitar/trumpet

Additional musicians:
Scott Hunt - backing vocal/piano/acoustic guitar
Cecilia Johnson - violin
Jim Anderson -cello
Shannon Ford -clarinet/flute
Rick Wolkins - trumpet
Mike Huffman - piano
Susan Hedler - harp
Dan Harris - bass trombone
Shelby Hunt - backing vocal

Produced by Mark Mikel
Post-production and mixing by Mark Mikel & Scott Hunt
Produced by Mark Mikel
Mixed by Mark Mikel and Scott Hunt
Artwork by Mark Roland, copyright control
Graphics & design by Bob Tibbitts
Special thanks: Barb Peterson

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The Pillbugs Toledo, Ohio

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