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Mushroom — Analog Hi-Fi Surprise
(weed 7910, 1999/2002, CD)

by Dan Casey, Published 2000-05-01

Analog Hi-Fi Surprise Cover art

San Fransisco’s Mushroom have quickly followed up Hydrogen Jukebox with this new album, which continues on in the same vein. Distinctly rooted in 70s psychedelic jazz-rock, Mushroom draws on multiple influences while all the while maintaining a heavy air of spaced-out free-form improv. The label on the cover claims that this album takes the excitement of Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Soft Machine, and Can, and makes it modern. Truthfully, there is nothing modern about Analog Hi-Fi Surprise at all. The instrumentation (i.e., Rhodes, Mellotron, analog synths, wah-wah guitars) are all very dated instruments and the tinny lo-fi recording is far removed from anything modern as well. The label goes on to refer fans of Martin Medeski & Wood to this album. So, some mighty huge names are being thrown around, but don’t be fooled. Mushroom, while a decent band, are not at all in the same league as those listed above. Most of the performances are amateurish and downright sloppy. Drummer and leader Patrick O’Hearn doesn’t really lay down a solid groove and is constantly tapping away at an annoying ‘pingy’ ride cymbal. The song writing (or lack thereof) is perhaps the biggest opportunity for improvement. Most of the material here meanders around without direction, energy, or dynamic contrast (much like some of the 14-word song titles). However, with some more focus and attention to musicianship, there is clearly a lot of potential in this band. And if you enjoyed their previous album, you will surely enjoy this one as well, since not much has changed.

Filed under: Reissues, Issue 19, 2002 releases, 1999 recordings

Related artist(s): Mushroom

 

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