MP3 Medusa Cyclone - Mr. Devil

space rock, noise, ambient experimental, psychedelic

13 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Noise, ROCK: Psychedelic



Details:
*** The hypnotic world of Medusa Cyclone began in 1992, following the breakup of
legendary Detroit psych/punk outfit ViV Akauldren. ViV keyboardist and Medusa Cyclone
frontman, Keir McDonald, wanted to continue the space-rock approach that made ViV
famous on both sides of the Atlantic. Medusa Cyclones first release was in 1992 on Manta
Ray Fleet, a Detroit-based 7 label started by McDonald and Chris Girard. Although Manta
Ray Fleet worked in small runs of about 200, the label enjoyed a strong following in the lofi
underground of the early 1990s. Early fans included Stephen Malkmus and Mark Ibold of
Pavement. Eventually, a split single was released with the lo-fi legends in 1996--
Pavement Dancing with the Elders b/w Medusa Cyclone--Chemical. A self-titled CD---
Medusa Cyclone--soon followed to considerable critical acclaim. Standout tracks included:
Chemical-a lethal sonic mix of Can, Faust and Wire, Dream House-a seductive narcotic
from the same planet as Syd Barrett, and Helium Head, a sonic vortex leading to another
dimension. Medusa Cyclones shows during this time could best be described as an echocharged
sonic assault taking the audience to the world beyond beyond. Gigs included
support dates for Pavement, Bardo Pond and Cul de Sac. A second CD, Mr. Devil, was
released in 1998. The album was a full dose of sonic madness and included The Smith
Can the Devils spawn of trance rock, End Cloud an underwater dream on a 90 degree
summer day and Invisible World a Japanese gamelan-influenced gem blurring the line
between time and space. During this period, things were looking good. Mr. Devil was
doing well in Finland and the UK, and had generated chart activity on CMJ. It was
especially popular in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. But when NATO began its security action
against the Milosovic regime, airplay stopped after a government takeover of the national
public radio station. Three years have passed since Mr. Devil and much has changed for
Medusa Cyclone. Still, one thing that hasnt has been McDonalds need to dream another
record. So he enlisted the help of legendary Detroit drummer, Mike Alonso-- Five Horse
Johnson, Speedball, Bantam Rooster plus other Detroit luminaries: John Nash, The
Alphabet, Volebeats, Matt Smiths Outrageous Cherry, Robert Wonnacotts RF Energy and
McDonalds brother, Gavin. The result is nothing less than Medusa Cyclone's best record
yet---ten gems of pure trance/psychedelia called Tangier. ***