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Saturday, June 18, 2011

The Troll - Animated Music (1968 us, marvellous psych rock, with baroque tinges)



Part of the whole Chicago late-60s psych scene alongside their similarly well-produced Dunwich stablemates H.P. Lovecraft, The Troll released a few near-hit singles before this album. Originally released on Mercury's Smash sublabel, this got not a whole lot of attention in its day...and that's sad, because there was a goodly bit of psychedelia that probably shouldn't have made it to the surface before this. It's quality, although one definitely can tell it's a 'period piece'. Still, if it's a fine 60s flashback you need, just drop this one on...

...and you're greeted with fine fuzz and ticktocking percussion from the start of side one, with "Satin City News". Now, it should be noted that the lyrics here tend toward a political and cynical bent...which is about par for much of the album. In amongst the psychedelia, there's a certain darkness on "Animated Music", although nothing that would tend to bum one out.

That same acerbic political tack continues on "Mr. Abernathy", with its classic trem-guitar and poppy horns. While the tale on this track is certainly one of American political scandal, etc, the sound...in fact, the sound throughout the album...is very British. It's not the sound you'd associate with Chicago at all, really...but something more Abbey Road-ish, with tinges of early Floyd here, a dash of Moodies there, and lots of tape spooling around ala Sir George Martin's production methods circa "Sgt. Pepper".
by Lugia


Tracks
1. Satin City News - 2:41
2. Mr.Abernathy - 3:28
3. Fritz Und Sweeney - 4:36
4. Everybody's Child - 2:54
5. Solitude - 0:31
6. I've Only Myself To Blame - 3:45
7. Professor Pott's Pornographic Projector - 2:59
8. Have You Seen The Queen - 2:21
9. Mourning Of The Day - 5:10
10.A Winter's Song - 4:00
11.Werewolf And Witchbreath - 5:18

The Troll
*Richard Clark - Organ, Vocals
*Richard Gallagher - Guitar, Vocals
*Max Jordan, Jr. - Bass, Vocals
*Ken Cortese (aka Ken Apples) - Drums
Guest Musician
*Skeep Bushor - Horns, Strings Arragment

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8 comments:

  1. HotroderJune 18, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    Thanks Marios,I have the record but very scratched.
    It has a great cover but some of the tunes a below par.

    ReplyDelete
  2. trismegistosJune 18, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    Ευχαριστώ πολύ Μάριε.

    ReplyDelete
  3. RemyJune 18, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    Thanks so much! I've heard H.P. Lovecraft, I am looking forward to checking out some of their Chicago contemporaries.

    Marios, on an unrelated note, last November you posted the remastered s/t album by The Open Mind (1969 UK) at phrockblog11. Is there any chance of a repost here?

    Warmest regards,
    R

    ReplyDelete
  4. RemyJune 18, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    Thank-you VERY much, Marios! You are my hero!

    ReplyDelete
  5. adamus67June 19, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Headquartered in Chicago, the group cut several singles for the mid-'60s ABC-Paramount - Trolls before cutting the record for the Smash Merkurego. Materiał extends from the hard rock of "Satin City News," "Mourning of the Day" and "Werewolf and Witchbreath" to the more style news," Have You Seen the Queen "and " Professor Pott's Pornographic Projector. "This album owes more than the surreal sierż. Pepper Pillow, has a psychedelic masterpiece... '' I've Only Myself To Blame"
    Overall, the patchy album with interesting, moment's.
    mid -west psych, little bubble gummy, but worth listening to
    Thanks Marios

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousNovember 15, 2011 at 12:36 AM

    I look forward to hearing this album.thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  7. MariosDecember 30, 2014 at 8:51 PM

    ....Animeaten Troll.....

    ReplyDelete
  8. Tommy DuqueJune 1, 2016 at 5:32 AM

    Thanks Marios, I'm glad I found this one. Great Post!!

    ReplyDelete