We Are Ever So Clean

1967年、ジョルジオ・ゴメルスキーが設立したばかりのマーマレード・レコードからリリースされた英国ポップサイケの金字塔。
SGTペパーの影響下、特に英国サイケ・バンドにおいて、こちらの作品のクオリティは最高峰のものであると断言します。冒頭の不協和音なクランチ・ギター・リフによるメロディ・ワークは勿論ですが、逆回転サウンドをここまで有効に楽曲に活かしたのは当時彼らくらいなのでは・・・。また、ヴォーカルのメロディとサウンド・ワークの音量バランスも珠玉でハーモニー・ポップ・グループとしての切り口も素晴らしく、永く愛されるのも頷ける名盤です。
新規リマスター/180G重量盤

Imagine the late-60s Kinks crossed with a touch of the absurdist British wit of the Bonzo Dog Band, and you have an idea of the droll charm of Blossom Toes debut album. Songwriters Brian Godding and Jim Cregan were the chief architects of the Toes whimsical and melodic vision, which conjured images of a sun-drenched Summer of Love, London style. With its references to royal parks, tea time, watchmakers, intrepid balloon makers, "Mrs. Murphys Budgerigar," and the like, its a distinctly British brand of whimsy. It has since been revealed that sessionmen performed a lot of these orchestral arrangements, which embellished the bands sparkling harmonies and (semi-buried) guitars. But the cello, brass, flute, and tinkling piano have a delicate beauty that serves as an effective counterpoint. The group sings and plays as though they have wide grins on their faces, and the result is one of the happiest, most underappreciated relics of British psychedelia. [Ten bonus tracks were added to the 2007 Sunbeam edition.] ~ Richie Unterberger