Lemon Twigst

Combines the contents of both LPs issued on the Cicadelic label in the mid-'80s (Crystal Pure and Second Album) onto one CD, making this indeed the definitive collection. Almost all of their known tapes, covering both their searing electric garage/psych and softer, acoustic garage/folk sides. Dating from 1967 and 1968, this features a lot of original material that the band recorded in Chicago studios, as well as some drummerless home demos. These are endearing (and still moving) relics of an age of great exuberance, innocence, and hope. Good harmonies on the psychedelic ballads, which have been described as "garage-band Donovan." One of the best reissues of unknown '60s garage/psychedelic music.

The Modey Lemon's Phil Boyd (guitars, Moogs, vocals) and Paul Quattrone (drums) invited Jason Kirker to join the band on bass and keys after he produced Thunder + Lightning. But that's not the only change on 2005's Curious City. In the band's earlier work, Boyd sang in a slithering rasp that matched Modey's blues-punk skuzz ably, if only satisfactorily. But on City his suddenly clearer vocals are the key hinge to mounting blasts of hellacious Moog noise and weird melodies that slink from under the belly of classic rock & roll. (On Curious they're weird even when quiet, as the downcast Animals redux "Countries" proves.) The background of "Fingers, Drains" warbles in heat and melting instrument noises, and Boyd's vocal on it is downright sultry. Meanwhile "Sleep Walkers" is some of the most efficient music Modey Lemon's ever made; it sounds like a lost Golden Earring B-side with its throbbing bass and insistent drum clap.

Daryl Braithwaite is an Australian pop singer. Best known as the lead vocalist of Sherbet, Braithwaite has also sustained a successful solo career, placing 15 singles in the Australian top 40, including the No. 1 hits "You're My World" and "The Horses". The Lemon Tree is a studio album of acoustic reworkings of both solo and Sherbet hits, and a few covers, by Daryl Braithwaite released in 2008 as part of the Liberation Music "Blue Acoustic" series.

If you have ever wondered what a cross between Primal Scream, Amon Duul and Jethro Tull sound like then Psychic Lemon may just be the band for you. A curious amalgamation of sounds, their entire album is akin to freewheeling out of the cosmos on a wave of flutes and thumping bass lines. Throw in a huge dose of Bobby Gillespie style vocals circa Vanishing Point and you have an album fit for the title of most stupendous psych release last year. Right from the off Psychic Lemon throw everything at you but also make sure it is sublimely funky and melodic. It’s like some lost relic from the 70’s which turns up at boot sales once in a while inviting you into the mysterious workings of an underground band…