| MEGA RARE ORIGINAL 1972 Malaysian pressing of this INCREDIBLE Beatles-inspired pop psych masterpiece by the October Cherries, "Dreamseller" and subtitled "A Work of Magic by the October Cherries". Now it may take quite a bit of nerve and confidence to subtitle your album "a work of magic", but in this case, the Cherries knew what they were talking about. This MONUMENTAL album is indeed magical - a long-lost Malaysian Magical Mystery Tour that so few people have ever heard - and anyone who loves the tuneful orchestrated UK popsike sounds of bands like the Bee Gees, Idle Race, Beatles and all the Rubble comp bands will LOVE this album too. Granted, it didn't get released until 1972, long after their particular sound was way out of style in England, but in Malaysia, they were superstars. This is a great companion piece to the recently reissued TRUCK album, another Malaysian mega rarity, because many of the TRUCK songs were actually reworkings of songs from the October Cherries "Dreamseller" LP, with added synthesizers. Which is not unusual, considering that the 1974 TRUCK lineup consisted of three quarters of the October Cherries 1972 "Dreamseller" lineup plus a new vocalist named Jeremy Star. Confused? Okay, then let's talk about the music itself. "Hello People" is a beautifully orchestrated popsike tour de force with great aching dramatic melody that recalls the early 1967-1968 Bee Gees. Which means it's great stuff! "I Love Suzie" is SO similar to the Move's "Hello Suzie" in title AND melody, it absolutely HAS to be a tribute - either that, or a blatant ripoff! The choruses of both songs are nearly identical, although the verses of the October Cherries Suzie song are more in the bouncy Beatlish toytown popsike style with piano and handclaps, as opposed to the Brontosaurus murky cello-laden verses of the Move's Suzie song. Still, it's either a brilliant pastiche of early Move sounds, or the most blatant rewrite of another band's song this side of Jimmy Page's ripoff of Randy California. You DO know about that one, right? "Dreamseller" would sound right at home on any volume of the Rubble compilations - it's simply perfect UK sounding popsike with echoed out ethereal vocals, rolling drums and trippy cymbal washes. And if you can get by the incredibly clumsy title, "All Things Work Together For Good To Them That Love God" (I'm not kidding, that really IS the title) is actually a BRILLIANT drifty McCartneyesque pop tune with super catchy melody, beautiful vocals, subtle acid guitar, lush harmonies and some trippy clock ticking sound effects. Sounds like Abbey Road era Beatles, or very early McCartney solo stuff, with some added psychedelia and complete butchering of the English language. I don't believe this album has ever been reissued, and I know there was also a Belgian pressing, but originals of this album turn up about as often as an speedily-confirmed Supreme Court justice. So grab this one now - if you're a fan of classic UK popsike, especially the kind that was recorded in Malaysia 4 years later, this is a Magical Malaysian Mystery Tour you don't want to miss! Roll up! |
