Psychedelic Music from the 1960s and early 1970s has made a remarkable comeback in the past years. It never has been away, but it has grown more popular. The generation that grew up with this music is now reaching the age where they retire, so they have more time for music. But it is not only the old generation. Also the young generation is embracing this music. There are plenty of new bands that play the music of some 50 years ago. One of the reasons I can think of is that in many ways it is the opposite of the mainstream dance music that is still in vogue. This music is highly structured, in essence very simple, sterile and clean and mainly produced on a simple laptop. Psychedelic music is chaotic, improvised, raw, energetic and mind expanding. For the Swedish band Tor-Peders (Google translates it as Thor's Therapists) the revival of psychedelic music came a little too late. After a fatal car accident that killed guitarist Jonas back in August 2011, the rest of the band moved to different musical projects and the band ceased to exist. In its short existence (the band started in 2007) the only legacy was a 7“ single released on its own label. They were in fact planning to record their debut album just before the accident. Eventually the album is now released, some three years later, taken from a rehearsal room recording. I doubt whether it originally was meant to be released like this. The drums and the bass sound a bit flat. But the band never had the opportunity to make a proper recording in the studio. The primitive recording makes it sound a bit authentic, since in the 1960s the recording technology was far more primitive as well. I guess it is a matter of taste, but the over all sound is acceptable. Brev Fran Ederstorp means letters from your village. The music is a mixture of space rock, garage rock and a bit of Swedish folk. Apart from the guitar there is also a main role for the sixties sounding organ. Bits of Hawkwind, Pink Floyd (around the time of A Saucerful Of Secrets), Jimi Hendrix and The Doors. Except that Tor Peders are fully instrumental. The album is only released as an LP with gatefold sleeve. No CD and no digital format. It contains a bonus 7” single containing two tracks from their last recording session. These two tracks already show progress. This band was still growing musically and tragically they never reached their full potential. ***+ Erik Gibbels (edited by Astrid de Ronde) Where to buy? |
