It's been a long time comin'
G. Sanders | LONDON | 11/14/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought my LP copy of this from a bargain bin because the cover art looked interesting, and the picture of the band on the back looked like a wonderful bunch of unreconstructed beatniks.The music more than met my expectations, and suddenly I had a new favourite album, which, along with Mad River, same label, same bargain bin, I never saw again in its original form. This is a gem of an album, stands well the test of time, is a rarity rather than an oddity, and should be much better known and enjoyed. I can't quibble with the comments already made on this site, so I'll just confirm their opinions.And if this is record's good, what about their second album, Hoboken Saturday Night, released a couple of years later on Atco? Wonderful stuff indeed, and needing urgent attention from Rhino, please.Insect Trust also warrants attention from people interested in the work of Thomas Pynchon. There was a connection, and they set to music his lyric Eyes of a New York Woman, from V (second album).Bob Parker, as noted below, metamorphosed into critic, etc., Robert Parker, while vocalist Nancy Barth (reminiscent to me more of Judy Henske in her remarkable vocal and emotional range than St Joan of the Bay) became one of the doyennes of the music industry and has had a hand as a big record exec in shaping dozens of significant acts.Hell, just buy the album, woncha? This is something that has been missing from the catalogues too long."
Trust the Insect Trust
kalevala4@hotmail.com | sydney | 02/06/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A hidden gem from '68 often overlooked by psych afficionados. Best described as eclectic with elements of folk, jug, psych and some hillbilly overtones. Can compare it to Kaleidoscope (US)and early East of Eden due to their exotic instrumentation with the main vocals (female) reminding listeners of Joan Baez. A cruelly ignored album and highly recommended to those looking for fringe psych without being cliched. Has middle-eastern tones with wonderful tunes and great vocals. Why has this not been reviewed before? Trust the Insect Trust for something different instead of swirling Hammonds, acid guitar and the usual, though often great, smorgasbord of sounds from this period generally on offer."
Rare, odd, and worth hearing
G. Sanders | 03/30/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Rob from Oz has nailed this in two words: cruelly overlooked. They're a bit ragged in places, but the wonderful, obscure songs make this worthwhile. Guitarist is Bill Barth, a former associate of John Fahey. This is one of half a dozen works I've been searching for since the invention of CDs (others: John Kay-Forgotten Songs; Fugs-It Crawled Into My Hand; Jim & Jean-Changes, Bob Hadley-everything; Fahey-v.4). Fahey and Barth have now been digitally saved. If you like folk music with eccentric twists, this will entertain you. And it has one killer song: Going Home."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1