1971 debut album for the Swiss psychedelic/space rock pioneers. Phoang Records.
CD Reviews
Pretty disturbing stuff
BENJAMIN MILER | Veneta, Oregon | 03/24/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Brainticket was often categorized in the Krautrock category, when in reality, the band was of multi-nationalities, lead by Belgian-born Joël Vandroogenbroeck. But they did have many of the same traits you expect from the early '70s Krautrock scene. Regarded as one of the most psychedelic albums ever, you'll of course wonder why, when you hear the first two cuts, "Black Sand" and "Places of Light". They sound very much like typical organ-driven prog rock you expect from the time (I am especially fond of the latter as Dawn Muir spouts out some psychedelic poetry). It's the other two thirds of the album that justifies the album as being one of the most psychedelic ever. It's basically taken up by "Brainticket Part 1" and "Part 2", which is little else than a repeated fuzz organ riff with tons of very disturbing electronic effects, sounds, and Dawn Muir, well, sounding rather disturbed. It's one of those albums I can't recommend to everyone, if this is too much for you, let me suggest their 1972 followup, Psychonaut (as it's mellower, and more song-oriented). In fact, the experience of Cottonwoodhill was too much, and the band broke up leaving some of the members to form the Swiss band Toad (with Benjamin Jäger, later of Island, who released the excellent prog rock album, Pictures in 1977). That left Joël Vandroogenbroeck to form new versions of Brainticket with more great albums to come. Anyway, if you're looking for music that's way out there, then Cottonwoodhill is a must."
Thorazine please!
Warren W. Nelson | Mooresville, NC USA | 08/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Considered one of the most psychedelic albums ever released, 'Cottonwoodhill' is brilliant with amazing sound effects, propulsive keyboards(on the dominating namesake track 'brainticket pt.1 and 2),special vocal effects, great guitar work and a very demented monologue that puts you at the heart of the psychedelic experience. This album, recorded in 1971, accomplishes where others have tried and failed ('Anthem of The Sun','After Bathing At Baxter's')i.e. to record an acid trip. Whether by improved production techniques or more inspired performance, this is psychedelic music at its best!"
Brainticket - 'Cottonwoodhill' (Hallelujah)
Mike Reed | USA | 08/11/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'd rate it 4 1/2 stars.I heard about this reissue LONG before landing down a copy of it.Was originally released in 1971,but for reason(s) unknown I,personally like their follow up to this record,'Psychonaut'('72) a tad better.'Cottonwoodhill' is said to be a true krautrock classic that can make one's third eye cry tears of acid.I won't disagree with that one bit.In my opinion,Brainticket in general appears to be part kraut,part neo-psychedelic.A great genre if you ask me.The tracks that I dug the most were "Black Sand" and the band's namesake "Brainticket,Part 2".Joel Vandroogenbroeck's organ playing and Dawn Muir's stellar vocals seem to work well together as Brainticket more than succeeds to take it's listener's to another level of tripsville.One that's rarely visited anymore these days.Bet Tim Leary would've tripped MANY times to this record.Way-out cover."
Welcome to the 70's
Jean-Pierre Malo | Kinnear's Mills, Québec, Canada | 11/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Un album très seventies. Extrêmement lysergique. On parle d'un trip plutôt intense... violent à la rigueur. Ici, on parle d'une sorte de broyeur mental faisant appel à des boucles rythmiques dominées par l'orgue utilisé de manière ultra percussive. Très efficace pour recréer ces hallucinations auditives typiques qui vous hantent lorsqu'en fin de trip vous cherchez le sommeil. Mais ici, on oublie vraiment le sommeil. La voix apparaît soit totalement distordue et bourdonnante soit comme le monologue d'une fille qui craque complètement. Le tout ponctué de sons urbains. Une arcade dans ta tête, le traffic qui tue... Vraiment pas pour relaxer mais un must pour les fans de space rock et de psychédélisme qui décape. Répétitif mais totalement approprié pour l'atteinte de ses objectifs démentiels... Essentiel."
Insane
William R. Nicholas | Mahwah, NJ USA | 05/15/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is basically LSD inspired poetry, recited over an organ and rythm section playing funk grooves. And it doesn't sound like the acid ingestie is having a lot of fun. "Sex, of course you have sex, you have no choice."
The album maintains this consistancy throughout, and is probably the closest you'll ever get to a "trip" on record.
The concept is great and so is the music, for the most part. At times the band sounds a little thin. Brainticket used a lot of one chord textures, and this album could have benifited from a few more instruments (an ecchoing saprano sax maybe) added to the stew. (I would like to hear this on LP one day and see if i feel this way)
I also guess the last track had to be broken up on vynal, but I feel it would have been more effective on CD if it were welded together.
This aside, it is a great album, truely weird and totally atmosphereic. If you like progressive or just strange music, there is no going without this.
Make sure you play the whole thing. Very cool, creepy suprise at the end"