2005-02-24
ptolemaic terrascope review
I have to say I'm still not convinced about the name- "Spooky HiFi" sounds like something off one of those bright yellow posters often seen on derelict bus-stops featuring a series of disc-jockeys with increasingly depressing names: "Sonic Bonfire with Fat Boy Steve Rawplug and DJ Halitosis"- but, the label's enviable moniker more than makes up for that admittedly minor quibble. Splendid Records was set up in 1992 to release the second Flyte Reaction LP 'Strawberry Lip Salvation', it's predecessor ('Songs in a Circle') having come out on Woronzow the year before- initially, it's often forgotten, via the Terrascope as part of a two LP set entitled The Woronzow Bag: autographed LPs by the Flyte Reaction and The Ectomorph with inserts, lyrics, a poster and arguably the rarest item in the entire Woronzow catalogue (if only because it's missed off almost every discography I've ever seen) a 7" 45 featuring an unreleased song by each which carries the catalogue number 'WOO 14 and a bit'.
Anyway, I digress. Further Flyte Reaction LPs on Splendid included 'Spectral Footwear' in 1993, 'Create a Smile' in 1995 and back to Woronzow again for 'Sensilla' in 1999. Spooky Hi-Fi's debut 'Sonic DIY' was also released on Splendid in 1999, the band being referred to as "Mick Crossley's other project" (Mick being the singer/songwriter/guitarist in both outfits), though it's sometimes hard to discern any difference between the two, especially with Flyte Reaction bassist Dick Field now having joined Mick in the Spooky HiFi line-up. Certainly several songs on 'Five Lane Super Highway' could easily be outtakes from almost any Flyte Reaction album, and if that seems like a backhanded compliment then I'm sorry: just read it as shorthand for "they're fucking ace". Listen with a previously trained ear to the sublime guitar-led instrumental 'Choices #2' or the soaring vocals on 'Heart is the Sun' and 'Sing Out' and you'll immediately know just what I mean. To a lesser extent the driving harmonies and psychedelic polish of 'Where The City Meets The Stars' and 'Master of Sleep' likewise reflect the past as well as the present and future, which is no bad thing in my book.
The title track is well chosen: not because the title is particularly apposite (unless one happens to be flying a spacecraft I suppose) but simply because it's marginally the strongest track on the album, with a gorgeous West-Coast vibe and guitar-work throughout that'll curl your toes as well as your hair. 'I Walked All The Way To Venus' is pure Nils Lofgren; forget all the Neil Young comparisons that have followed Mick Crossley around - if Nils is your bag then Mick's your man. Oh, and if you have a well-thumbed Snafu album somewhere you're love '3 Keepers' as well. Great stuff. (Phil)