1. DJ Astro, aka Santtu Laakso @ Psychotropic Zone:
Stephen Palmer released a new part in his ”alternative 60’s” series in march, and I must say that 1968a is probably the best CD in the series so far. Although the excellent, melodic, late 60’s styled psych pop songs are still the main focus now there are also some progressive elements as well as some wild fuzz guitar in there. There are again some quests involved, and for example Cyndee Lee Rule plays electric violin on three of the twelve tracks.

The album is opened with the wonderful popsike number “Limothy’s Tears” that provokes the use of hallucinogenic and psychoactive substances and includes both male and female vocals. This one works very well! Even more psychedelic and also quite progressive “Stars at Night” has some great synthesizer stuff. “Grandma’s Zoo” is a nice whimsical number that has some really weird effects in the middle. Then follows the pop piece “Where My Rifle Begins” and next the rather progressive instrumental “Freeze Freak” that sort of brings to mind ELP. Both of these tracks include violin, as well. After the very nice and melodic song ”If You Wouldn’t Do It” comes the very hippie spirited ”The Resurrection of Hippie” that has some excellent lead guitar and psychedelic elements. “Getting Back to ‘68” starts off peacefully with organ and vocals and soon the soft guitar joins in. The pretty, melodic popsike going starts after about one minute and 30 seconds. This song also has some acoustic guitar. “Peat Rock” is the album’s heaviest piece and this instrumental surely has some wild fuzz guitar! The slower track “Listen” has Mellotron sounds, an amazing atmosphere and also some violin. “Ynys Mon” is a great, mid-tempo psych number with again some Mellotron sounds as well as tremolo guitar, and there is a bit mystical, nice synth solo in the end. The album is finished with the positive and melodic psych pop track called “Stand”.

1968a is yet again another great Mooch album and let’s hope that Stephen still keeps on pouring out this lovely 60’s styled stuff. I can warmly recommend this to all those into 60’s styled psychedelic rock!

2. Simon Lewis @ Terrascope Online:
Following on from “1966” and “1968 ½”, the latest album in the set has a slightly
harder edge than the previous discs although there are similarities, with opening
track “Limothy’s Tears” the natural bridge between the albums, seemingly
advocating the use of hallucinogenics, or at least the freedom to choose.
Next up “Stars at Night” has a similarly stoned feel, a relaxed groove created
by swirling guitar and washes of keyboards, whilst “Grandmas’ Zoo” is a fantastic
slice of psych-pop whimsy that twinkles with fairydust and features some excellent
playing from everyone involved, a future classic. After the anti-war stance of
“Where my Rifle Begins”, things take a heavier turn with the organ led instrumental
“Freeze Freak”, a groovy tune that bounces out of the speakers and frugs around
the living room, the magnificent violin of Cyndi Lee Rule adding a great ambience
to the final section.

Continuing to re-create the period with style, the keyboard sound on “If” are almost
perfect, whilst the philosophical lyrics only add to the illusion. Using the “Death of
Hippie” event as its inspiration, “The Resurrection of the Hippie” is a plea for a
return to those carefree days, a romantic notion for sure, but definitely preferable
to the chav dominated, reality TV led, commercial greed that so dominates society
today. I’m on your side Steve. This nostalgic feeling is expanded on even further
on the gentle “Getting Back To ‘68”, another mellow plea for better days.

Moving into a more prog led sound, the keyboard riff on “Peat Rock” is completely
blown away by the heavy rocking guitar playing of Pete Wyer, whose contribution
to the song is some spectacular fret abuse that’s needs to be heard at high
volume, the rest of the music smothered in a wall of guitar noise, until some organ
cascades announce the end of the tune. Continuing the wistful theme, “Listen” is
a hymn to nature, a suggestion to hark back to the cycle of the seasons, to attune
once again to natures voice, return to a simpler way of life, the drifting keyboards
adding power to the prayer.

Ending with a call to revolution (personal and political) “Stand” contains a wonderful
arrangement that brings out the vibrancy of the instruments, finishing the disc on
a positive note, the chorus sticking in your brain as you head out into the world.

3. Floyd @ Progressive Ears:
Dr. Silbury has returned from another of his voyages through time and this time he has a presentation of sonic artifacts from an alternate 1968.Through his journey, the doctor encounters several familiar faces and a few new ones as well. If you’ve been following the episodes of the good doctor (mild-mannered Steve Palmer by day) and his cohorts collectively known as Mooch, you’ll definitely want to hear this one as well.

Compared to the last discs in this series (1967½ & 1966) and consistent with history, the music here is slightly heavier and also a little gloomier. The disc starts off with a short keyboard fanfare introducing the lysergic anthem “The Tears of Limothy”. Star Lighter (Chris Gill) is back on vocals and still sounding very influenced by Syd Barrett. His presence was missed on 1966 but that was an entirely different sound that Mooch was going for. Other vocal highlights on the disc include “Grandma’s Zoo”, “If You Wouldn’t Do It” and the excellent psych ballad “Listen”.

Also making a return appearance is Sorceress Sadie (Cyndee Lee Rule) who contributes wonderful electric violin solos to the tracks “Where My Rifle Begins”, “Listen” and the killer instrumental “Freeze Freak”. Another familiar member is Mr. Sopht (Eric Schlagzeug) who has played drums on the previous discs.

The new face here is Johnny Creedence played by Brighton guitarist Pete Wyer. Pete provides some scorching lead guitar work on the track “Peat Rock”. This is probably my favorite tune on the album. It really captures the spirit of the times with a moody organ and out of control distorted guitar playing that brings to mind Jimi Hendrix. Perhaps my major criticism would be that there aren’t more tracks like this on the disc.

Overall, this is another winner from Dr. Silbury and the Mooch crew. With each new album, the impression of actually taking a trip in a time machine to a time period like the late sixties seems to become more feasible.

4. Marco @ Shindig Magazine:
1968a (Ambientlive) by Mooch seeks to move on from the beatific playfulness of last year’s 1967½, even if the aural palette is still, by and large, a head-swimming meld of Dr Silbury’s carefully enunciated vocals and languid, bee-buzzing instrumentation, decorated here and there with bursts of “electric viper violin” courtesy of Sorceress Sadie.
The instrumental ‘Freeze Freak’ reveals a hitherto dormant edginess, and the backing track curdles to winningly sinister effect halfway through ‘The Resurrection Of Hippie’, but Mooch can’t escape the dreamy pull of their own innate loveliness for long; and I’m not complaining. Fine lyrics also, particularly in the reflective reverie of ‘Getting Back To ’68’.