Psychonaut (LP+CD)

1972’s Psychonaut, by the Swiss-based Brainticket, is early seventies space rock at its finest. While the band’s debut album, 1971’s Cottonwoodhill, was a heavily acid-laden affair dominated by droning organ, disturbing vocals and a collection of cacophonic sound effects (causing it to carry a warning label and be banned in several countries) for their second effort, band-founder Joël Vandroogenbroeck brought in a completely new line-up and changed the band’s sound dramatically.

While Psychonaut still takes listeners into the realm of altered consciousness–making heavy use of a droning Hammond, sitar, tablas, etc.–this time the vocals are more melodic and the music itself is more song-oriented. This is by far Brainticket’s most accessible album, and perhaps their most timeless. Fully remastered from the original master tapes!