Band : Earthling Society
Album Title : Sci-Fi Hi-Fi
Label : 4Zero
Distributor : Clearspot
Release Date : June 2009
Review : CD

For me, this was a very cheerful moment receiving this album, already being a massive Earthling Society fan, and the opening title song made me even more happy to receive this, kicking in with full on wicked space rock in the vein of Krell, Mr Quimbys Beard, Farflung and Hawkwind. From the opening bars of the hypnotic “Sci-fi Hi-fi”  to the closing sound textures of the amazing floating miles out into outer space-guitars drenched “E.V.I.L.U.S.A” you will quickly become completely absorbed in the sound of Earthling Society. “Tempel ov flaming youth” begins eerily with atmospheric sound effects, horns and woodwinds before being led into a throbbing swirling spooky jam featuring floating synths and spacey guitars. “EA1729” is a free instrumental rock song with enough kraut, prog and experimental touches to keep you occupied.  “The lantern” is a 60s folk ballad with nice vocal melodies, hooks that stick in your ears, and with outstanding performance with lots of, lots of feeling. Fred Laird has a very personal vibrato too and it might take some time to get used to. “A future dream” takes on something of a space-age feel with a Floydian keyboard sound and the more straight-ahead Porcupine Tree-ish styling of guitar playing.  “E.V.I.L.U.S.A”  is a wonderful hallucinatory 20 minute trip that rides along on outfreaked guitarsolos, swinging rhythms and pounding percussion. I hope they play these last two songs at Yellowstock Festival in Geel at the 8th of August.

At the end of the day this is yet another very creative outing by Earthling Society and fans of the band will have no choice but to add this album to their collection.

95/100

Cosmicmasseur.