Margin: Psychedelic Teatime

Margin is a one man psychedelic/space rock project from Berlin, Germany. The project is led by multi-instrumentalist Lutz Meinert who plays all the instruments except for a couple of guest spots where his wife Carola Meinert adds background vocals and Arne Spekat plays acoustic guitar on a couple of tracks.

When I first read the album title I thought of that species of mushroom that can alter reality. I know you know what I'm talking about. So, just how 'psychedelic' is this album? Well, if you enjoy late '60s and early to mid '70s Floyd you should love this release. When I delved into the music another thought crossed my mind – just how impressive it is that essentially one musician created this album. There are so many layers of sound here and as a listener I really enjoyed immersing myself in the music. Meinert uses a myriad of synth, keyboard and Mellotron drenched soundscapes to create his psychedelic backdrops and to top it off adds exceptional guitar work throughout as well. Whether it's a delicate arpeggio or strum of an acoustic guitar or soaring Gilmouresque leads, his axe slinging ability cannot go unnoticed. More than half of the album is instrumental but when the vocals do show up they really work well. Meinert has a pleasing, laid back singing style and overall quite catchy. At times his voice reminded me of Arjen Lucassen of Ayreon.

The jewel of the album has to be the five part epic "A Mysterious Cup Of Tea" that begins this cosmic joyride. Beautiful builds, soaring lead guitar (ala Dark Side Of The Moon), lovely organ fills, plaintive acoustic guitar, pastoral flute passages, well, you get the picture. The mix of gentler passages and motifs and heavier psychedelic bits is just about perfect. The rest of the album is shrouded with the same psychedelic haze whether it's the mellow "Landscapes on the Sky" led by orchestral swells of Mellotron strings or the spacey "Last Exit to Pluto" with its gradual build of sonic delights.

Psychedelic Teatime is another wonderful discovery in what is turning out to be another strong year in progressive rock. Margin is certainly high on my list and will be a project to watch out for in the years ahead.

Track Listing:
1. Part 1 (6:33)
2. Part 2 (4:50)
3. Part 3 (6:50)
4. Part 4 (2:16)
5. Part 5 (2:59)
6. Psychedelic Underground – the Short Trip (3:36)
7. Landscapes on the Sky (8:05)
8. Last Exit to Pluto (10:41)
9. Psychedelic Underground – the Long Trip (10:38)

Added: November 20th 2014
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Label's Official Site
Hits: 1785
Language: english

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