Search - Stone Circus :: Stone Circus

Superb Psychedelia

Andersson, Christer | Sweden | 02/07/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Thought to have been Californian, this band was responsible for one of the rarer and stranger Mainstream releases, which incorporates many diverse influences. Sometimes it doesn't always gel but certainly makes interesting listening. All the cuts are originals, written either by Jonathan Caine or a guy called Murphy, who presumably had some connection with the band, since some tracks are co-written by Caine and Murphy. The material is wide-ranging from the accessible psychpop of Sara Wells, laid back, melodic opening cut What Went Wrong and uptempo Inside-Out Man to the highly experimental People I Once Knew, which starts with spoken lyrics over melodic piano and later descends into lots of fuzz and organ work. The Mister Grey 45, which is also on the album, is interesting too. Recommended for fans of psych and/or progressive rock but not for garage purists."

The more you hear it, the better it gets

Robert Felberg | Southbury, CT United States | 04/25/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Whether you like what Bob Shad and Mainstream did in the late 60's it a matter of opinion. Not sure if some of the label releases would have gotten on a major label, but Mainstream offered us some unusual music mixed with more recognizable bands like Big Brother and the Holding Company and Amboy Dukes.

Stone Circus deserves better than Mainstream-really. It has everything of the period, good songs and vocals, fuzz workouts, organ swirls. Man, there were worse-lots worse. These transplanted Canadians went to NYC to seek their fame. Choose the name Funky Farm, got signed by Mainstream/Bob Shad. He changed their name to Stone Circus (not a bad move)and this LP went the way of most of the Mainstream artists. They did release "Mr. Grey" as a single. Perfect song for the times, but with no promotion, nothing happened.

Stone Circus were more than adequate musically. Lyrics are of the time; questions about life and other people's personalities. Jazzier Doors-y opener "What Went Wrong" reminds of Buffalo Springfield's "Pretty Girl Why" and those Classic Four songs. "Adam's Lament," more instrumental than not, is a downright funky look at the happenings in Eden! Aforementioned "Mr. Grey" fits along side S.F. Sorrow. It features a growl-y fuzz bass and takes off into a Ray Manzarek-like break. "Blue Funk" is one of the best tracks here. Smart lyrically, driving bass, and a dreamy little chorus: "you're a blue funk in a green frame. You're a mad monk with a million saints." Along with "Mr. Grey," "Sara Wells" intriques. Sounding like Strawberry Alarm Clock, with a bit more production, this could have been a hit. "Inside Out Man" is "Nowhere Man" four years later.

Every album in the 60's had its 7 minutes plus extravaganza-Stone Circus is no exception with closer "People I Once Knew." Winding itself up with a spoken intro, we are then treated to a major fuzz freakout. It has its moments, but imagine the riff from the Byrds "So You Want To Be a Rock and Roll Star"-only twice as fast. With no nuance or atmosphere, the riff drives you to distraction. The lead and organ breaks are inventive if a little long winded. Arising and descending bass riff break things up creatively. I do believe the more you hear this album, the better it gets. Make to be listened to in the spirit that it was made."

Not a dime goes to the musicians

Frank Psych Right | Europe | 04/27/2010

(1 out of 5 stars)

"My rating is only to catch your attention. Fallout (former Radioactive) is re-issueing psychedelic gems without authorization. They're non-legit. The musicians doesn't get a dime. Furthermore, the more you buy these releases, the more you're destroying the chances of them to ever get a proper re-release."