Chemistry Is What We Are

Simian’s debut album is steeped in the surreal, unashamedly swimming in the rather risky waters of prog-rock. In the wrong hands, such blatant psycheldelia could be the kiss of death. The opener ‘Drop and Roll’ is a microcosm of their sprawling sound, beginning with a minute-and-a-half of wheezy vocals and discordant organs which will prompt even the most hardened listener to fear the worst. At exactly the ninety second mark, a sudden sunburst of melody beamed from the bright side of the moon saves the day. Simian clearly take a lot of their cues from Syd Barret and Robert Wyatt, but it’s their overriding devotion to Brian Wilson’s Church of Pop that levitates their experimental scuzz-pop symphonies above the ordinary.

Recorded in their own self-styled and aptly named Trial And Error studios, the London based foursome are very obviously obsessed with paranormal child-like fantasies. Anyone reared on Dungeons And Dragons and Fighting Fantasy books is bound to love it. While Chemistry Is What We Are is unquestionably a strong and confident debut, it’s hard to see Simian ever reaching the same sonic heaven as The High Llamas, or achieving the otherworldly brilliance of Mercury Rev and The Flaming Lips. Still, if you want your pop Weird with a big neon capital ‘W’, Simian are the best chemical prescription for your ears only.