Search - Polyphemus :: Stonehouse

In the Kingdom of the Blind (the one-eyed is king)

Peter Williams | Pasadena, CA United States | 07/16/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Another psychedelic smorgasbord from Polyphemus, this one veers away slightly from the pop format of its predecessor, 'Scrapbook of Madness' and in places takes a more jam-oriented approach. Regardless, the strong pop sensibilities of Brian Leary & Co. shine throughout. The jangle, the fuzz, and the echo are all still here and used to maximum effect. Sinuous harmonies, hooks, and delirious guitar riffs abound. Touchstones include 'Sell Out'-era Who, Bevis Frond, 'SF Sorrow'-era Pretty Things, Matchstick-era Status Quo, Baxters-era Jefferson Airplane, and even Revolver-era Beatles. And at the same time it manages to sound unlike anything else.It's not as solid as the first, but there's plenty here that holds up to repeated listening, and should remain a mainstay in my CD player for a long time.Don't know how this one managed to slip under my radar when it came out, but it's not to be missed by any connoisseur of BritWave psychedelia. Buy a few extra copies and sell them at a tidy profit 5 years hence to the others who didn't realize what they'd missed."