Syborg continue their sterling work on psych-pop genius Paul Roland’s back catalogue with this twofer reissue of his acoustic mini-albums, previously released on the French New Rose imprint, as a follow-up to last year’s Burnt Orchids/Danse Macabre package. Where those were full-band recordings, these albums (from 1987 and ’88 respectively) are sparse, stripped-down baroque affairs, full of gruesome atmosphere and influenced by everything from the Edwardian England of HG Wells to the juicily grotesque EC horror comics of the 50s.
Case in point: Roland’s reinterpretation of The Advert’s Gary Gilmore’s Eyes revels in a ghastly unfolding of TV Smith’s lyrics against a tense string arrangement. Covering another’s work is a rare diversion for Roland, though here he also borrows Arthur Sullivan’s music for Onward Christian Soldiers in his bawdy public school memoir Best Years Of Our Lives.
These recordings, and the massive selection of radio session bonus tracks, delineate a mastery of character. Baron Samedi’s voodoo, Jeremy Bentham (the Demon In A Glass Case from Roland’s single on Imaginary), Walter The Occultist and prince of perfection Beau Brummel, are all perfectly described in sound. In Roland’s 30th year in music, the reissue programme next takes-in the rockier Duel, but this is a fascinating interlude.
