(Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock) [CD] Polytoxicomane Philharmonie - Psycho Erectus - 2003, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This is one of my favourite albums of the last weeks. I have listened to it for more than twenty times now within a relatively short period but it's still fascinating to me. POLYTOXICOMANE PHILHARMONIE are a wondrous project as the band name implies. The main influence is psychedelic/space for sure. But it would be too easy to keep it in that way. You can also hear that Frank Zappa is held in high esteem by some members and they are operating with uneven beats which are often unusual for jamming psych bands. Funky trippy hypnotic rhythms and a lot of saxophone attendance are referring to kraut and jazz rock. Ambient/spaced-out soundscapes are rounding up the debut of a band which has an eccentric identity. So for a first summary there is a unique style to notice which they create.
The short ambient opener Entry is announced as an improvisation fragment on their website where the band offers a special (german) album manual for the listeners. And that's significant for their concept - the manual, full of metaphors, leaves you behind with much more questions as you had before. Never mind - the instrumental track Flight 858 takes you on a 75 minute musical trip further on which you will not forget so fast! The instruments, first the drums, followed by e-piano, are coming in by and by providing the mellow dreamy main theme which wraps you up. But breaks and spacey soundscapes are also interspersed and this makes the song very entertaining and prevents you from getting phlegmatic.
I discovered the following Poisonous Moth on a sampler and this attracted my attention and brought me closer to the band. Basically a neo krautrock tune par excellence dominated by a hypnotic groove with nice female vocals and mysterious spoken words contributions. Bubbling synths and sensitive guitars are always swirling around here - fantastic! Pink Noise is heavy hallucinogenic pointed out as reminiscence to Tangerine Dream by the band and the complex Sulphur afterwards shines with an impulsive guitar solo, alienated female and male vocals and jazzy doubled saxophone.
The laid back Too Sad, Lady Mushroom with a rainy background and some weird inclusions is somewhat zappaesque and Lokus Pokus surprises with oriental respectively eastern polka moments. Heavy saxophone additions are imitating a brass orchestra and in the end the song is developing into a jazz rock finale. All in all POLYTOXICOMANE PHILHARMONIE offer a great variety and safety. Chanson Verte features a nice groove, excellent psychedelic guitars and a jazzy part in the middle whereas with Kronos, Vomitting A Child another change to spaced-out soundscapes occurs. The instrumental Fuddle Pie and Muddle Fie gets up in a happy mood with an excellent flow and Lizard - Song finally developes to a groovy jam which absolutely confirms their psychedelic/space home for sure.
'Psycho Erectus' is a completely rounded one which should be enjoyed from the first to the last minute without any break - hard to overtop. This album gets the highest rating from me. Please check it out. - Rivertree, progarchives.com

- Howling Mad Fishli / vocals, space whisper, spaceguitar, soundeffects
- Commander I.M. Crab / vocals, guitar, heroic speech
- Matelaut Au Vin / woodwinds, juggle with horns
- The Emir Of Quaver / drums, vocals
- Wum / guitar
- Onkel / bass, e-piano. keys

Steve Jeewee: guitar (7)