There was a period during the late 80's - early 90's when I used to collect all the neo-psychedelic LP's I could get my hands on. Especially if they were keyboard-heavy, like The Multicoloured Shades (TMcS) are. Most of them survived The Great Vinyl Purge, too. I sold a ton of (now ultra-rare) 90's vinyl, as well as classic rock LP's because I had stopped listening to the former, and had replaced most of the latter with newly remastered CD's. But most of my garage and psychedelic vinyls got out intact. This is why I now still have, without ever meaning to, a decent collection of German neo-psychedelic vinyl LPs: TMcS, as well as The Dizzy Satellites, Les Black Carnations, CHUD [aka Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers(!)], Clockwork Wizards, The Dukes etc. TMcS were formed in 1984 in a town near Dortmund called Marl. Within a year they had released an (eponymous) mini-LP as well as this album, both on a local indie. At this point they caught the attention of Virgin Records, becoming one of the first German alternative/neo-psychedelic bands to sign with a major label. They released two more LPs, Sundome City Exit (1987) and Ranchero! (1989) having some success with single "Teen Sex Transfusion" off the former album. Due to disappointing sales, they were dropped by the label, and finally disbanded in 1990, while a 2002 reunion was cut short by the death of singer Pete Barany from a (voluntary or not) overdose. A new incarnation of the band, featuring original organist Detlev Bizer, seems to be active right now: a 2021 single called "The Greatest" is available on Spotify, as well as a couple live videos on youtube, but I couldn't dig any more info on them. Regarding House Of Wax now, opener "So Sad" is an organ-dominated garage rocker displaying the expected influences (Electric Prunes, 13th Floor Elevators, ? And The Mysterians). "It's Your Life" is another 60's-sounding garage/beat track while "Brain Patrol" is darker and reminiscent of early Pink Floyd and Velvet Underground (VU), and "Witches" has an, of-its-time, Gothic character. Side 1 concludes with "The Special One", another rocker combining psychedelia and new wave. Side 2 is dominated by "Sometimes", a 12-minute psychedelic drone referencing Suicide (the band, not the act). This is followed by "Frozen Hearts", again channeling VU albeit with a bit of Beach Boys-like effervescence. The album closes with the "Bleeding In Jayne Mansfield's Car". The organ takes a back seat for once, allowing acoustic guitar and harmonica to shine; Lou Reed and Bob Dylan come to mind here. For those unfamiliar with the 50's/60's sexbomb's death, she was decapitated in a gruesome automobile accident which also instantly killed the two other adult passengers, but spared the lives of her children, also in the car. Quite a macabre way to close the album, wouldn't you say? I used to play this LP often when I bought it 30+ years ago, but hadn't listened to it for many years before today. I'm less impressed with it now (3,5* would be a more accurate rating, but I decided to be generous because it's an old favorite) but I still love the atmosphere it creates due to its dark organ sound, as well as the theatrical vocals by Pete Barany, who sounds like a German-accented Sky Saxon. The compositions are neither very original nor instantly memorable, but all the right ingredients are here: VU, Electric Prunes, Pink Floyd, The Doors, and 70's Kraut Rock. The striking red-black cover is in contrast to the band's name, but they make up for it with an impressively multicolored marbled red/blue/grey vinyl. Worth spending a few extra €€'s to get the album's initial pressing on Last Chance Records - there are also a few more contemporary (1985/86) editions on regular black vinyl. If you like the samples below, you may want to look for House Of Wax at ebay or discogs. It won't cost you too much, and it's worth every pfennig...
**** for So Sad, Brain Patrol, Witches, The Special One, Frozen Hearts
*** for It's Your Life, Sometimes, Bleeding In Jayne Mansfield's Car
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