Long lost, yes, but somehow we don’t get the impression that anyone has been looking too hard these past 40 years for these dropped stitches in the sprawling tapestry of late 60s UK DIY. While we’re picking nits, there’s nothing here that’s genuinely psychedelic in inspiration or sound – that’s just a handy tag that’s more attractive than “would-be hippie”.
As for the question of whether it’s really fitting to refer to these provincial UK hopefuls as “schlemiels”, well that was raised last time around. But there’s still this troublesome format of 20 tracks split between eight bands, which doesn’t exactly smack of the highest quality control. Are Cellophane Cloud and Sweet Marriage really worth five songs apiece? Nah.
As with the first volume, the booklet is the best bit: witty and colourful, ironic and full of spot-on detail in a way that the bands themselves never quite managed. You need to see crushed velvet-clad Brummies the Young Bloods and their ticket for their gig supporting Pink Floyd at the Belfry, Sutton Coldfield: “Admission Includes Supper”. Lovely.
