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Various Artists | A Psychedelic Guide to Monsterism Island

Lo Recordings (2009)
By GUSTAVO TURNER  |  May 19, 2009
3.5 3.5 Stars

090522_monsters_amin
Artist, graphic designer, and toy creator Pete Fowler has been instrumental in the rebranding operation the Super Furry Animals have effected on their homeland of Wales. Led by enterprising eccentric Gruff Rhys, the SFA have promoted a gentle, fuzzy brand of homegrown Welsh neo-psychedelia for which Fowler's idiosyncratic monsters serve as visual manifestation.

This conceptual soundtrack is the sequel to the impossible-to-find Sounds of Monsterism Island (2005), but whereas the earlier record had been a beautiful compilation of vintage exotica and easy-listening tracks, this one is all bespoke. Rhys's "Wild Robots Power Up" is joined by instrumentals by the Specials' Jerry Dammers, Luke Vibert, a pseudonymous Future Sound of London, library-music expert Jonny Trunk, and other like-minded castaways.

Let's hope Fowler's Monsterism project — with UK Vice magazine comics, designer toys, Internet Flash animations, and proposed cartoons — can find its rightful niche among fans of Gorillaz or Yoshimi-era Flaming Lips.
Related: The Peth | The Golden Mile, The Flaming Lips | Embryonic, Various Artists | Money Will Ruin Everything, More more >
  Topics: CD Reviews , Business, Visual Arts, Design,  More more >
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