Hall Of Mirrors CD

Some time in the making, Hall of Mirrors is the latest of the many compilations that have emerged over the past decade or so that try to make comprehensive sense of the ever-broadening world of 20th-into-21st century psych/freak/drone rock. Overseen by Mason Jones, whose own band SubArachnoid Space takes a bow on the second disc with "S. F. Eagle," it covers several years, a number of different continents, and approaches ranging from the extreme mind-melting to the calmer -- but with an emphasis on the former. There's no manifesto to the disc beyond a mention from Jones to share 'the quality of the music,' and it's no idle description -- from the start, with a marvelous example of Kinski's extreme motorik style via "Teen Center," Hall of Mirrors aims for a high mark and generally meets it. As a potential introduction to a wide number of bands for unfamiliar listeners, it rivals the legendary Tokyo Invasion, Vol. 1: Cosmic Kurushi Monsters compilation of the mid-'90s, and indeed unsurprisingly, many of the high points come from Japanese bands, whose impact on these styles has only increased with time. Besides the almost inevitable Acid Mothers Temple, with a typically deranged song called "Fire Walk With Us," striking efforts come from compatriots Overhang Party, Uptight and DMBQ, whose "Small Hours" is particularly strong. Veterans of Terrastock festivals and similar gatherings are all over the place -- Abunai!, Bardo Pond, and ST 37 are just some of the more familiar names. Describing each of the highlights would take quite a while, but on the first disc special mention should go to the now-defunct Gravitar, whose "Maybe Ben Hur" is such an awesome display of three-piece feedback and drumming insanity it's almost shocking. On the second, the Primordial Undermind track "Non Servium (Undermind)" might be the sleeper hit, thanks to a dramatic start and a quick, propulsive core rhythm, but Rubble's utterly aggro but completely focused "Grey Baby" isn't far behind. ~ Ned Raggett

Recording information: 1909 (11/1997-??/2004); 609 Studios (11/1997-??/2004); A.B.U. Music A Studio (11/1997-??/2004); Acid Mothers Temple (11/1997-??/2004); Cthulu's Lair (11/1997-??/2004); Deep Mu Zoo (11/1997-??/2004); Foothill Junior College, Los Altos, CA (11/1997-??/2004); Hyde St Studios (11/1997-??/2004); Jackpot! Studios (11/1997-??/2004); Kyoto University Festival (11/1997-??/2004); Lemurhouse (11/1997-??/2004); Mother West, New York, NY (11/1997-??/2004); Park Studios, KTC (11/1997-??/2004); Purple Room (11/1997-??/2004); Sweatbox (11/1997-??/2004); Victor Studio (11/1997-??/2004); WreckRoom, Fort Worth, TX (11/1997-??/2004).

Editor: Jim Donadio.

Photographer: Mason Jones.

Personnel: Rinji Fukuoka, T. Aoki (vocals, guitar); Cotton Casino (vocals); Dave Swanson (guitar, drums); Richard Franecki (guitar, electronics); Brenda Quinn, Brendan Quinn, Joel Crutcher, Geoff, Eric Arn, Bill Weita, Mason Jones, Keith Pickering, Paul Casanova, Makoto Kawabata, B.C. Smith, Mason Jones, Mark Stone, Eric Harris, Melynda Jackson, John Helwig (guitar); Otis Cleveland (horns); Kris Thompson (organ, synthesizer); Yoshiko Morita, Doug Ferguson , Jim Jones (keyboards); Dave Cintron (synthesizer, tapes); S.L. Telles, Higashi Hiroshi (synthesizer); Koizumi Hajime, T. Shirahata, Jared Barron, Eric, Chris VanHuffle, Jon Teague, Scott Pickering, Joe Turner , Dave Cameron, Matt Martinez, Hadley Kahn, Neil Sherhag, Iwao Yamazaki (drums); Jan Schober (percussion); Bill Finsel, John Ortega (electronics); Carlton Crutcher (sequencer).

Audio Mixers: Eric Dyba; Greg Smelley; Joe Turner ; Hadley Kahn; T. Aoki; Geoff Streadwick; Abunai!; Vocokesh.