Flat Earth Society - Waleeco & The Lost Space Kids 1967-68 (1993 Arf-Arf Records) Flac & mp3

A young group from the Boston area -- in fact, none of the members looked to be older than 15 -- Flat Earth Society recorded a rare album in 1968 that became a prime collectible two or three decades later. This was probably based more on its rarity than the actual music, as the record was marketed by Waleeco candy bars -- you could mail-order the album with half a dozen candy wrappers and $1.50. Those consumers that took advantage of the offer were rewarded with competent, but somewhat generic, psychedelic rock, with the prominent electric keyboards that were characteristic of much of the Boston sound. Some Doors influence could be heard, perhaps, in the minor-hued melodies, and some Jefferson Airplane in the harmonies; to throw in an obscure reference, it's a bit like a garage version of H.P. Lovecraft. The record has since been reissued, making the transition to CD in the 1990s.(Richie Unterberger, allmusic.com)

Having read the previous review of this album, it's time to set the record straight. Firstly, their cover of the midnight hour [all the other songs are originals] is a fair effort. I wouldn't call it either dreadful or fantastic.

But I would call the haunting, eerie "Dark Street Downtown" fantastic..a masterpiece with its distinctive vocals and piano accompaniment supported by lyrics of the finest order. Turn the lights out, light the candles and just listen.Breathtaking stuff!! Very Baroque and very beautiful.

This standard is maintained on "Prelude For The Town Monk", another Jack Kerivan composition and with equally thought- provoking lyrics.A young man in his late teens getting his message across in the most literate of ways and with a voice to match any before or since in Rock.

His third contribution is "Shadows", an uptempo, organ-driven number but with the same haunting mood of "Dark Street". The rest of the songs are written by Jack Kerivan and Phil Dubuque or Jack Kerivan and Rick Doyle. The latter collaboration contains two excellent instrumentals of a laid-back, psychedelic nature, "Portrait in Grey" and "Satori". Some nice phasing and experimentation that rounded off an excellent debut[and sadly only]album.

If you like Folk Rock, you'll like The Flat Earth Society. If you like Baroque, similarly.Psychedelic, garagey, quite a mix in this album..as the band themselves say "no particular bag at all''.(amazon customer)

Also here is an audio adventure called ''The Space Kids ''.  The space kids material, which features backing music from the seminal boston 60's outfit called The Lost. This was apparently never released, it was done for a local pbs station. This fine band, whose recordings i recommend, featured future members of bands such as ultimate spinach, listening, bagatelle, and even the latest, much derided, version of the Velvet Underground! Names like walter powers , lee mason, kyle garrahan, and willie alexander. The last is still well known in Boston today. (excerpt of a custom review at amazon)

The Waleeco album is a fine piece of psychedelic rock and i like it very much. Also great tracks are the songs for the audio adventure ''The Lost Space Kids''. Very different very good. I really recommend to give it a listen. 

Enjoy 
          Frank                Flac part 1 & Flac part 2 & Flac part 3          -   mp3@320