Fruits de Mer/Anton Barbeau, The Chemistry Set, Permanent Clear Light

Anton Barbeau

Anton Barbeau makes his first appearance on a Fruits de Mer release with a hat-trick of psych pop that bears his unmistakable stamp. Barbeau revisits his own Psychedelic Mynde of Moses, a little fuzzier and fired up. It’s a fantastic take on an already great song, driving home Barbeau’s trademark songwriting and hooks. Unsurprisingly, and thankfully, Barbeau tackles Robyn Hitchcock with Sometimes I Wish I Was A Pretty Girl and Julian Cope with Out Of My Mind On Dope And Speed. Both are hopped up re-workings that get inverted and twisted through Barbeau’s kaleidoscopic blender making them his own in a few ways without resorting to out right theft. A perfect fit with Fruits de Mer and an even better first outing.

Out Of My Mind On Dope And Speed :: Anton Barbeau :: Psychedelic Mynde of Moses/Sometimes I Wish I Was A Pretty Girl/Out Of My Mind On Dope And Speed 7 “(2012, Fruits de Mer Records)

The Chemistry Set

Neo-psych instigators The Chemistry Set keep the flow of nuggets coming with two sweet new cuts and a take of Tomorrow’s Hallucinations. Come Kiss Me Vibrate And Smile is pure psych pop manna out of the gate; soaring, classy and buzzing. It’s an infectious first shot across the bow, making room for Time To Breathe. Another gem as tight as the opening salvo, but slowed down and languid this time around, just breathy enough to keep it above the ground without losing any. Time To Breathe leaves plenty of room to do just that, even when The Chemistry Set ramp it up for a soaring departure at the end. Hallucinations may be in between the others tempo-wise, but stands toe-to-toe where it counts. They do no disservice to Tomorrow by pointing out and reclaiming all the things that made it a stand out cut to begin with, for both outfits if you let your clock slide a bit.

Come Kiss Me Vibrate And Smile :: The Chemistry Set :: Come Kiss Me Vibrate And Smile/Time to Breathe/Hallucinations 7″ (2012, Fruits de Mer Records)

Permanent Clear Light

No disrespect to the above, but there’s good reason this one ships with 3D glasses to go with the cover. Finland’s—‘the home of Santa Claus’—Permanent Clear Light slide in a new cut, Higher Than The Sun that feels like a breath of fresh air with its whiffs of earlier psychedelia and new-day glide. A perfect song to roll in the golden glow and take your time to enjoy the space being made, and explored. Peter Hamill’s Afterwards, from Van Der Graaf Generator’s The Aerosol Grey Machine, exudes the same syrupy elevation as Higher Than The Sun, staying pastoral and euphoric without evaporating. No noodling or meandering here; Permanent Clear Light keep a firm grip on the rudder, not for control, but for a more enjoyable ride…and drift.

Higher Than The Sun :: Permanent Clear Light :: Higher Than The Sun/Afterwards (2012, Fruits de Mer Records)

All limited edition vinyl from Fruits de Mer Records