UK band THE CHEMISTRY SET have been regular contributors to various projects instigated by UK label Fruits de Mer Records the last few years, but have had a low profile for a couple of years now. While they had a brief hiatus of some 20 years as recording artists earlier in their career it appears that the band didn’t want to rest quite as long this time around, and besides contributing to a label project by Fruits de Mer they also launched this three track single in the late fall of 2014 through Fruits de Mer sublabel Regal Crabomophone, featuring two original songs and a cover version of Jimi Hendrix’ Love and Confusion.
If anything this three track single is a versatile and broad one in terms of styles explored, and interestingly enough all of the songs appears to revolve around music with a firm basis in US based music rather than European or English music, which is a charming aspect of this production.
Opening cut Elapsed Memories takes charge from an elegant, psychedelic pop foundation with careful guitar details and crystal clear, controlled lead vocals and backing vocal harmonies, and then through a harder edged chorus suddenly transforms this elegant, light toned creation into a song that comes across as a creation lost from an early REM session if anything. An enthralling and captivating performance, and those still in mourning over REM’s retirement should try to hunt down this track to ease their sorrows ever so slightly I think.
Second track A Cure for the Inflicted Afflicted is a more vibrant and energetic affair, with a foundation in 70’s psychedelic hard rock of the US variety, with a light coating of early grunge according to the associations formed in my brain. Not quite as captivating as the opening number, but an energetic psychedelic hard rock affair with lots of drive it is.
At last there’s the cover of Love or Confusion, and what a startling journey we’re treated to here. Initially opening in a kind of subdued, light toned and toned down acoustic southern rock style reminding me of obscure 70’s band Snail, and then tablas and sitar are added to the mix alongside crystal clear, finely controlled vocals. Eastern mysticism 70’s style perfectly blended with 70’s Americana in a true and mesmerizing delightful psychedelic package. A thrilling experience, to the point where you actually stop thinking about whoever penned this song in the first place and just listen to the haunting, exotic atmospheres explored instead.
All in all a three track single of the highest quality, covering a lot of stylistic bases and different sounding material where the psychedelic tendencies are the red thread through them all. Highly recommended, especially to people with a fairly liberal taste in music and a general affection for psychedelic rock.
My rating: 93/100
