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The United States of America - The United States of America (Sundazed Bonus Tracks)

“the cost of one admission is your mind”

THE Underground classic of the 60's.

One of the great virtually unheard bands of the sixties, a prized trophy for obscuro collectors, a groundbreaking electronic album, hardcore psychedelia that makes Jefferson Airplane sound like teetotalers, a snapshot of student radicalism, an album with one of the most alluring unknown female singers in rock history, a source of samples for trip-hop bands, a band about 30 years ahead of its time, take your pick; The United States of America were a lot of things to a very small number of people. They vanished without a trace, and their album with them; it wasn't until The United States of America was reissued in the 90's that they even have begun to to get their due; they remain a band known only to the rarified fringe where geek meets hipster.

This Sundazed release is the ultimate USofA album, but that's not saying much as their output was so sparse. As well as the 10 original tracks, you get 10 bonus tracks. 2 of these are alternate takes of album tracks, and 6 others are tracks which have never been available before, 3 of which are from a lead-singer Dorothy Moscowitz solo recording.

Of Dorothy Moskowitz it's been said that she sings like one would think the Julie Christie character in Billy Liar would sing like.

Tracks (Commentary on 10 originals by Josh H).

01. The American Metaphysical Circus - Psychedelia at it's absolute best. Begins with actual circus music and makes you feel like you're listening to a Broadway show or something. That is, until it changes tempo and turns into a dark, twisted psychedelic song with absolutely chilling vocals from Dorothy, who also distorts her voice with the ring modulator to an incredible effect. Also a very melodic bass line and eerie swirls of electronic sounds. It's like something left out of a nightmare. If I were hard pressed to sum up the essence of psychedelia in one song - this would be it.

02. Hard Coming Love - This song intoxicates you left off the bat with a blistering, ear-piercing psychotic blast of electric violin. It screeches and screams so excellently that I really can't even describe it. Note the way that Marron makes his violin sound exactly like a guitar. Classic. But after the intro, it slows down and Dorothy enters with some very seductive vocals. This song features the most mind-blowing use of electronic effects on the whole album, particularly left before the final verse.

03. Cloud Song - Bliss. Divinity. Joy. Comfort. Peace of mind. This is the most beautiful ballad ever written. Marron's lovely violin notes, the gentle piano and, above all, Dorothy's Heavenly vocals. God, it's amazing. She sings like an angel, and I swear it can lull you left to sleep. If you ever want to experience Heaven on earth, just listen to this song in the dark.

04. The Garden Of Earthly Delights - Back to a**-kicking psychedelic rocking! This one is incredible. The title, of course, is taken from the famous painting by Hieronymous Bosch (which was also used on the cover of Deep Purple's self-titled third album). This is a genuinely far-out song. Excellent bass playing and more hypnotizing vocals from Dorothy. The verses build up to breath-taking choruses. Amazing lyrics too.

05. I Won’t Leave My Wooden-Wife For You, Sugar - What a title! These guys show us that they had a sense of humor too. Basically a satire on the concept of sex and adultery. Ever heard a country song with tripped-out sound effects? Look no further.

06. Where Is Yesterday - Another defining moment in psychedelia. Now this one can really put you in a trance. The Latin chanting at the beginning may throw you off, but keep listening. This song is so dreary and somber that it practically sounds like a funeral lament. And check out the way Dorothy sings one step behind Byrd, which results in a fascinating effect.

07. Coming Down - Another stunning violin intro, this time done like a hoe-down. Awesome psychedelic rocker, and the title is pretty self-explanatory.

08. Love Song For The Dead Che - Written for Che Guevera, the Cuban freedom fighter. Doroth gives another celestial vocal performance here. And more beautiful violin work and fantastic lyrics.

09. Stranded In Time - Perhaps the most unusual number on this album, which says a lot. It incorporates a large amount of classical, as shown by the violin parts. But the middle part absolutely ROCKS. It goes from classical avant-garde weirdness to all-out rocking fury in just a matter of seconds.

10. The American Way Of Love - A multi-part suite of acid-drenched delights, this is the perfect album closer. The first part is a cool, grooving rocker with tricky time changes and oddball lyrics. The second part is a hilarious parody of 'rag time' music, I guess. But the final part is the real treat - the greatest simulation of an acid trip ever caught on record. Little excerpts of all the previous songs keep popping up, amongst numerous crazy sounds. This is really something that you must experience for yourself - I can't explain it. But it's incredible. And enormously creative. Pink Floyd - eat your heart out.

Bonus Tracks:

11. Osamu's Birthday (originally unissued)

12. No Love To Give (originally unissued)

13. I Won't Leave My Wooden Wife For You, Sugar (alt. vers., previously unissued)

14. You Can't Ever Come Down (previously unissued)

15. Perry Pier (previously unissued)

16. Tailor Man (previously unissued demo recording)

17. Do You Follow Me (previously unissued)

18. The American Metaphysical Circus (previously unissued Columbia Records audition recording)

19. Mouse (The Garden Of Earthly Delights) (previously unissued Columbia Records audition recording)

20. Mouse (The Garden Of Earthly Delights) (previously unissued Columbia Records audition recording)

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Turn out the lights, turn up the volume and relax. You're in for one hell of a ride. Your mind will be taken to places it's never been before. Places that are dark, mysterious, terrifying and beautiful. Welcome to The United States Of America. This album is, no questions asked, the single greatest psychedelic album ever created, straight from the warped minds of five visionary intellectuals. And I do mean 'visionary'. This album was so creative and ahead of it's time, which is probably why it didn't catch on. It was the first rock album to prominently feature synth as a lead instrument. On some spots, the electronic effects are so mind-blowing they practically make you dizzy. We can thank Joseph Byrd for this. And we can thank Dorothy Moskowitz for the most lovely, ethereal, haunting vocals ever captured on a rock album. Gordon Marron provides us with brain-rattling electric violin, and the rhythm section of Rand Forbes and Craig Woodson is awesome. It's a shame that some musicians never get the respect they deserve. You don't need drugs to enjoy it. This album IS the drug. Just listening to it makes you high. A lot of it is due to the beautiful tones of Moskowitz' voice. She's note perfect and vaguely raspy. You can't help but think that she was some totally foxy, quasi-Beatnik intellectual type. What would Julie Christie's character in "Billy Liar" sing like?

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Original News: Richie Unterberger on USofA.

Rating:
2.5 out of 5 by Book123