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LP
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ROAR 037LP
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2015 release. For decades, Crystal Syphon were, at most, a footnote in the music history books, a name on posters from the psychedelic ballroom days, and a fond memory to those who'd seen the Merced, California band perform on the west coast circuit in the late 1960s. That changed with the release of Family Evil (ROAR 025LP, 2012). That debut album, evidence that the mine of hidden gems from the original psych era had not yet been picked clean, caught the ears of fans worldwide, garnering raves and equal-footing comparisons to Quicksilver Messenger Service, Jefferson Airplane, and the Byrds; the group reunited and began playing out again, with their vintage sound intact. Now, Roaratorio is proud to present Elephant Ball, a second helping of unearthed material from the band's archives. Starting with three tracks from their earliest recording sessions under the Crystal Syphon name, in 1967 Elephant Ball then moves on to a Fillmore West gig from November 1969, featuring the final incarnation of the group during their original run. With the same complex harmonies, nuanced songwriting and top-drawer musicianship that won Family Evil its accolades, the half-dozen tunes range from the crunchy riffs of the title track and "It's Winter" to the lightly jazzy "Don't Fall Brother" and the Latin-tinged moves of "There Is Light There".
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LP
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ROAR 025LP
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2012 release. Crystal Syphon, one of the greatest "lost" groups of the West Coast psych scene, came together in Merced, California in 1965. Originally a Beatles/Byrds-influenced unit called The Morlochs, they soon shed their original moniker and moved in a more psychedelic direction, becoming a fixture on the ballroom circuit from 1966-1970. Although their music may nod in the direction of the New Tweedy Brothers and Quicksilver Messenger Service at times, it's imbued throughout with a distinctive sound that arose from practicing up to six nights a week. The band entertained offers from various labels during their existence, but as they insisted on complete artistic control and ownership of their music, no deals were struck. Now, some 44 years after its creation, Roaratorio is proud to make the music of Crystal Syphon available for the first time ever. Drawn from studio tracks, rehearsal tapes and a live recording from the Fillmore West, Family Evil features cover art by Norman Orr and extensive historical liner notes in an old-style tip-on jacket. "Family Evil is a very cool archival release by an all-but-unknown quintet from Merced, California, recorded in 1967-8. Their sound has shades of Quicksilver, Kak, and the Youngbloods, with stinging quavery guitar leads winding through downer-blues-moves and neo-pop vocals. Considering what a signing frenzy there was in the Bay Area at the time, it seems odd these guys never even did a single, but this LP was worth the wait." --Thurston Moore and Byron Coley, Arthur.
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