There are very few modern LPs that I am actively in the market for, but Mechanisms Part Two was one of them. I was very impressed with their debut, but their other albums have proven to be elusive. Primarily because this one in particular was never released on CD.
From that debut I initially wrote: Cranium Pie's debut album is like being dropped into some obscure studio in London circa 1970. Imagine Pink Floyd and Soft Machine at their peak and you have an idea of what we're dealing with here. They really nail the psychedelic progressive creativity of the era.
Which is the right Zagat styled review. I fleshed it out on a fresh listen four years ago solidifying my liking of the album. Mechanisms Part Two follows in the same footsteps. Because it's a double LP, it does tend to meander more at times. On occasion the album sounded more like San Franciscan's Mushroom than Cranium Pie. They also crossed that hipster line once or twice ("yea, we're super rad, we're totally 1970 England"). But anytime you're circling a playing field such as this, great things are bound to happen. The album peaks on Side 3 with one great track after another - Cranium Pie had successfully immersed themselves into the era they were trying to emulate, rather than imitating it.
Ownership: 2015 Regal Crabomophone (2xLP). Purple vinyl. Gatefold. 8/31/22 (LP acquired / review)
Mechanisms Part 1 (2011)
---12/10/11
The above represented my virtual scribbled notes over on Under the Radar (and RYM) back in December of 2011. And, as expected, I don't think any one actually read it. So I will flesh this out a bit more so more people won't read it.
I'm not sure I can think of too many albums that really capture that particular magic of the 1970 UK underground like Cranium Pie has done here. The opening track actually sounds like Pink Floyd on their way to see Tangerine Dream. The possibilities are endless. 'Rememberrr' is a track for the ages. Extremely powerful with heavy organ, screaming guitar, echoed/treated vocals, and constantly on-the-move rhythms. 'Zones' picks right up from that and pulverizes you into the cosmic void. The title track goes back to the exciting premise of 'Rememberrr', perhaps just a bit less focused, but brilliant all the same.
This one fell just a hair short of masterpiece status, but I have to think it will end of up my Best of the 2010 Decade list, whatever the heck that is anyway.
Ownership: 2011 Regal Crabomophone (CD). Small cardboard digipak. Numbered.
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