Forever Amber - The Love Cycle

DIY Zombies live again…

Blimey, this luvverly lo-fi swinging psych comes with a bit of previous – but not from the direction of 1968, when it was originally recorded in a Cambridge demo studio and then issued in a pressing of 99 copies. It neatly avoided the rigmarole surrounding a proper release and sank without trace. Since then it’s been much bootlegged, with original copies fetching a cool £1,500. Bringing the story up to date, The Love Cycle earned a place in RC’s 100 Greatest Psychedelic Records book, and before we went to press The Times made this first official release their Album Of The Week. A concept album charting the path of true love, things start quietly with heavy keyboards and hopeful introspection. It really kicks into gear on what was originally Side Two, with memorable phases of joy (All The Colours Of My Book), sorrow (Going Away Again) and scorn (A Chance To Be Free). True enough, it sounds most like a garage band’s DIY take on Odessey & Oracle, with keyboards always up front and auteur John M Hudson’s words ringing true – although claims of greatness overstep the mark.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

Wooden Hill | WHCD 015

Reviewed by Derek Hammond
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