So High I've Been: A European Rock Anthology 1967-1973 (Clamshell Box)

Compiling music from throughout continental Europe during the height of psychedelia and progressive rock, So High Ive Been: A European Rock Anthology 1967-1973 touches on several different styles and movements, from Dutch Nederbeat to Krautrock. This ranges from more blues-based rock & roll and beat music to groups exploring the outer limits, either through cosmic jamming or more ambitious and conceptual means, like French Zeuhl legends Magma, who sing in a self-invented language. Selections by a few groups like the Rattles and Necronomicon are occupied with occult themes, but the music is closer to the dark side of prog, and not heavy enough to be deemed metal. Other material runs the gamut from druggy freak-outs to more introspective and earthy folk-rock. Finlands Blues Section subvert the peace-and-love aura of the 60s by preaching that "the answer to life is be kind," then going on violent tirades against hippies and cops. Gongs "Change the World (Rational Anthem)" similarly approaches the state of affairs from a cynical perspective, but is ultimately defiant in calling for a peaceful revolution. Italian prog is represented by most of its major names (Il Balletto di Bronzo, P.F.M., Le Orme, Banco del Mutuo Soccorso), as well as the more obscure Analogy, whose ten-minute eponymous track is a slow-burning gem. Inevitably, plenty of songs on this anthology bear the overt influence of more well-known British and American bands, with several selections bringing to mind Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd, Circus 2000 resembling a witchier Jefferson Airplane, and Spains Evolution offering an interesting, organ-heavy cover of King Crimsons "21st Century Schizoid Man." Finlands Tasavallan Presidentti can even be likened to a proggier Blood, Sweat & Tears. Dutch group Ekseptions hit cover of plate-spinning theme "Sabre Dance" provides one of the sets most purely whimsical moments. Other selections by more commercially successful bands include Shocking Blues "Love Buzz" (which was covered by Nirvana as their first single in 1988) and Golden Earrings classic rock radio staple "Radar Love." There are also a few intriguing early-career rarities by legendary acts, including a 1967 psych-pop nugget from pre-Tangerine Dream group the Ones and a very hippie-ish chant from Vangelis as part of a one-off project called Inter-Groupie Psychotherapeutic Elastic Band. Tangerine Dream themselves are also represented by a track from their guitar-heavy, rock-based debut, Electronic Meditation, which featured Conrad Schnitzler and Klaus Schulze in the groups line-up, but sounded completely different from the directions any of the involved artists would take. A few other well-known Krautrock groups make appearances (Guru Guru, Faust, Popol Vuh), and while their presence is always welcome, its just as exciting to hear less-compiled acts such as Norwegian raga rock outfit Oriental Sunshine or the wasted psych rock of Switzerlands Pacific Sound. ~ Paul Simpson