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Welcome Back To The Eighties Colours

In the 1980s, the Electric Eye label of Claudio Sorge released a legendary compilation titled "Eighties Colours," which well represented the artistic ferment of a series of Italian bands that were reviving the sounds of '60s garage and psychedelia.

Over thirty years later, Lodovico Ellena, the dynamic leader of the psychedelic group Effervescent Elephants—a name taken from a song by the brilliant Syd Barrett—came up with the idea of reuniting the bands that were key players in that musical era for a new collection that captures what is still happening today. In reality, many of those bands—some very important ones—are still active, like the Effervescent Elephants themselves, the great No Strange—much talked about lately on DeBaser—one of the essential bands of the entire scene, certainly the one that best interpreted psychedelia, both musically and philosophically, the Steeplejack, the Liars, and the Sick Rose.

The Pisa-based label Area Pirata has published, among others, new albums by No Strange and Steeplejack. The book by Roberto Calabrò "Eighties Colours"—a beautiful volume that deeply explores the phenomenon as a whole, published in 2010 by Coniglio Editore—has certainly helped to rekindle enthusiasm and revitalize many names that were prominent during that period. This wonderful disc—released by the commendable Psych-Out of Brindisi—serves as a tribute manifesto where many of those bands reinterpret compositions by their colleagues. Among the most significant tracks stands out the cover of "Talpa dell’infinito" by Eazycon, played by No Strange, a mantra of liquid and mystical psychedelia that transports the listener to another dimension beyond time and space.

Also excellent are the versions of "Song For The Convict Charlie" by the legendary Birdmen Of Alkatraz (when will they be re-released on CD?) by members of Out Of Time, of "Cold Girl" by the Liars played in a derailing version by The Strange Flowers, and of "The Music Of Erich Zann" (the title of a masterpiece story by H.P. Lovecraft) by Leanan Sidhe, interpreted by Trip Hill. Truly brilliant then is the cover of "L’Appeso (Three O’Clock)" by the Effervescent Elephants presented by Eazycon, a "barrettian" track that comes alive with new light thanks to refined and sumptuous arrangements.

But the overall level of the album remains high and brings back to the fore mythical names like Kryptasthesie, Technicolour Dream, Allison Run, and Double Deck Five. The album beautifully closes with a short and intense acoustic version of "(On The Road To) Sunshine Poppy Fields" by the Steeplejack, played with psychedelic and cosmic feeling by Lodovico Ellena. In conclusion, I highly recommend "Welcome Back To The Eighties Colours" to all psychedelia enthusiasts and to those who want to rediscover one of the most creative seasons of the Italian underground.