Yeah Red Krayola were just ridiculous if you think about it. In just two years they 1. released one of the first (and the best ever) psychedelic rock albums (Parable); 2. pioneered free improvisation (the freakouts on Parable, the long-form improvs of Live 1967); 3. pioneered punk rock ("War Sucks") 4. single-handedly invented post-punk and intellectual/academic rock, almost 10 years before punk rock was even a thing, let alone post-punk (God Bless).
And they haven't stopped there. In 1969/1970 Mayo Thompson (the man behind the band) released one of the most unique singer-songwriter albums ever (Corky's Debt to His Father), that predated indie scene by I don't know, at least 20 years? Then in late 70's/early 80's they released a few wonderful new wave/post-punk work, then in the 90's they mixed their experimentalism with alternative rock/indie pop a la Sonic Youth and so on. I especially recommend the album Hazel (from 1996) if you ever feel like listening to Krayola again - it's very unique, but also super catchy.
Nice review btw, though I almost feel hurt by The Beatles comparison :D (a band I truly dislike). And agreed, the first track on the Aqusak album is "mind-altering" (as well as the miniature "Inoculating Rabies", another favourite of mine).
Anyway, glad to hear you liked it! Let me know whenever you want to read some more rants about how RK were one the best bands ever. ;)
I know it was recorded in mono, but I'm 90% sure it was originally released in stereo (and the notes about the Sonic Boom remaster on discogs seem to agree with me). Either way, the Sonic Boom version is the one I'd call the best, by far. The freak-outs are really fleshed-out on this one.
So I checked two of his pieces ("U.S. Highball" and "And on the Seventh Day Petals Fell in Petaluma"), liked them a lot indeed. You're right, he's kinda like Zappa, I'd say Zappa + Moondog (another great underappreciated experimentator). Anyway, wonderful rec, thanks!
1. released one of the first (and the best ever) psychedelic rock albums (Parable);
2. pioneered free improvisation (the freakouts on Parable, the long-form improvs of Live 1967);
3. pioneered punk rock ("War Sucks")
4. single-handedly invented post-punk and intellectual/academic rock, almost 10 years before punk rock was even a thing, let alone post-punk (God Bless).
And they haven't stopped there. In 1969/1970 Mayo Thompson (the man behind the band) released one of the most unique singer-songwriter albums ever (Corky's Debt to His Father), that predated indie scene by I don't know, at least 20 years? Then in late 70's/early 80's they released a few wonderful new wave/post-punk work, then in the 90's they mixed their experimentalism with alternative rock/indie pop a la Sonic Youth and so on. I especially recommend the album Hazel (from 1996) if you ever feel like listening to Krayola again - it's very unique, but also super catchy.
Nice review btw, though I almost feel hurt by The Beatles comparison :D (a band I truly dislike). And agreed, the first track on the Aqusak album is "mind-altering" (as well as the miniature "Inoculating Rabies", another favourite of mine).
Anyway, glad to hear you liked it! Let me know whenever you want to read some more rants about how RK were one the best bands ever. ;)
Also, glad to see RK bumped :]
2016 update may follow next year.