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In April 1985, Xtc decided to reinterpret a genre very dear to them, Psychedelia. Changing their name to Dukes Of Stratosphear, they released this first mini-album, and besides the band's name, they also hid their real names by calling themselves: The Red Curtain, Lord Cornelius Plum, Sir John Johns, and E.I.E.I Owen. The pretentious project succeeds fully, and everything that was beautiful in psychedelia is captured right here, in this splendid mix of Beatles, Electric Prunes, and all the other great exponents of floral psychedelia. Initially almost unnoticed, they are now among the cornerstones of Partridge and company's discography.
The mini-album kicks off with "25 O' Clock", the initial noises already bring the mind back to those glorious years, the bells reminiscent of Kaleidoscope (UK) are the key to the door of perception, the splendid voice is accompanied by an incredibly imaginative bass which, along with the effects used, recreates the typical sixties sound, the track is the best they've made, superior to many songs of true psychedelia, and could only have come from the mind of Partridge himself (Sir John Johns), the organ and guitar solo is truly sublime. The reversed recordings are one of the many tricks used in the sixties and revisited in this album, splendid and unique, where voice and base create a magical and thrilling balance; the final yell is truly terrifying!!! "Bike Ride To The Moon" is another song outside the norm, the pop melody is truly out of this world!!! Charming "alien" voices are overdubbed, the synth creates a splendid arpeggio where Partridge seems to enjoy unleashing his craziest creativity. "My Love Explodes" is a very acidic track, especially for the distorted riffs, the voice and the bass revisit exotic melodies that culminate in a simple but effective chorus; the effects continue to make everything very chaotic. "What In The World" is a splendid example of Beatles-esque Psychedelia, very Magical Mystery Tour and very Revolver in this track, perhaps the best along with "25 O'Clock". The bass recreates typically Paul McCartney-like lines, and the voice does the same, seemingly imitating one of Partridge's idols (many more Beatles influences can be heard on their second work "Psonic Psunspot"). "Your Gold Dress" has a very determined guitar that defines a riff very similar to "In A Gadda Da Vida", but the deep voice creates an almost cult-like atmosphere, the super floral chorus dissolves the atmosphere into a magical circle of joy, a circle that is shattered by the re-entry of the guitar, and there’s also a very fitting use of a sitar in the background. The final piece is "The Mole From The Ministry", the birdsong mixes with an infernal vocal execution, the entire arrangement is really beautiful, recalling mostly in the middle part "I'm The Walrus" by the Beatles, the base is almost identical, yet the gloominess of the verse is original and unique. The choirs in the bridge are splendid, as is the whole piece which concludes with an increasingly important arrangement interlaced with a strange joy, something artificial and natural at the same time. The album and the piece conclude with an inevitable trip of confusion almost connecting to the beginning, preceded by a splendid instrumental interlude.
This is truly an indispensable gem!!!
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