Funds generated by an online 'Kickstarter' appeal enabled Jonathan Segel, multi-instrumentalist co-founder of Camper Van Beethoven (CVB), to indulge his love of classic 70s rock on this album.
The opening track - (Ever and) Always - begins with a five and half minute psychedelic intro before the vocals kick in and the other nine tunes follow a similarly languid mood.
The two versions of Hey You, one acoustic, one electric, are the highlights. Here, the vocals have echoes of Pink Floyd's The Wall while the twelve-minute plus electric take featuring Brett Netson of Built To Spill blazing on lead guitar evolves into a stoner epic of Like A Hurricane proportions.
The album was composed in the countryside of Sweden where Segel and his Swedish wife spend their Summer breaks. Back in the States he called on the support of CVB bandmate Victor Krummenachr on guitar, Chris Xeflos on bass and John Hanes on drums. Backing vocals are provided by David Immergluck of Counting Crows, Eden Daniels and Espers' Helena Espvall.
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The songs contain no great lyrical profundities, something all but conceded on a track called Listen where Segel sings "maybe I've got nothing to say, I'm gonna say it anyway".
The heart of the record lies in the instrumental breaks, a fact affirmed by a bonus seven track EP deriving from several hours of improvised jamming sessions which feature Graham Connah on organ. This is entitled Apricot Jam as a homage to Apple Jam, the third disc of George Harrison's All Things Must Pass.
With this album, Segel is celebrating music that is far from fashionable these days but since it's also a sound that also never truly goes out of style it will touch a soft spot with rockers of all ages.
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