SOUTHWEST F.O.B. - SMELL OF INCENSE / GREEN SKIES, 1968

Dallas, Texas group Southwest F.O.B. recorded a version of The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band's 'Smell Of Incense' which was released in September of 1968 and achieved moderate success on the charts.  This was a particularly nice move on their part as the WCPAEB hadn't released the track as a single (they did shortly after the Southwest F.O.B. release, a much edited version of the near six minute album cut).  It doesn't achieve the explosiveness and atmosphere of the original, but it is a noteworthy recording made interesting by a prominent organ sound throughout.

The flipside 'Green Skies' is another groovy tune relying heavily on the organ and also bringing in some horns.  It's a bit of a mishmash with an interesting structure, shifting moods a few times over it's brief two minutes.  There's a specific moment in the tune where one can't help but recall 'We Can Work It Out', a more than likely influence of the recording.

THE WEST COAST POP ART EXPERIMENTAL BAND - VOL 3. A CHILDS GUIDE TO GOOD AND EVIL, 1968

I'm in the midst of a deep delve into the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band which inspires this post.  Vol 3. starts off with the beautiful folk harmonies of 'Eighteen Is Over The Hill' followed by the properly country tinged 'In The Country' in which it's opening lyrics strikingly state 'San Francisco is dead / in LA no one's in the street'.  The rest of the album then slowly descends into arranged madness.  Or perhaps it was rearranged madness as the original sleeve track listing was different than what was actually on record.  There are plenty of memorable moments throughout, but the strange lyrics of Bob Markley really come to full blossom on side 2 with the title track's haunting harmonies and trippy electric sitar sounds.

'After the doors of many strange rooms have been bolted and locked

when you come back dragging your day dreams behind you

I'll give you a new shiny face and a yellow brick road

The rest of the world is wrong, don't let anyone change you.'

THE WEST COAST POP ART EXPERIMENTAL BAND - VOL. 2, 1967

On to the next fascination: I'm a newcomer to The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, and after reading a few bits and pieces recently I put their discography on my list.  I started with Vol. 2 due to listening to 'Smell Of Incense' a few times and being completely taken by it.  The drums, the bass line, the guitars, the lyrics... all stunning!  There's some really captivating stuff on this record, and it's taking all kinds of spins on the turntable.  You can read into their strange history plenty, but it's probably best just to listen.

It seems original copies of the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band's albums are fetching for high prices in our current state of 2014, so in this case I rushed and went with this inexpensive and easily obtainable reissue (on translucent vinyl which I'm not the biggest fan of).  It has the usual flaws of a new 'high quality' pressing including uneven edges and cheapish looking labels.  The sound is acceptable.  On with the show!