It's an absolute shame that The Muons are opposed to recording any of their material. Sometimes they bend the rules (like their self-titled CD from five years ago), and other times they're recorded against their will. "The Well at Land's End" was recorded by purveyors of the Jewelled Antler label and subsequently released as part of their Jewelled Antler Library series. These five songs are perfect psychedelic pop gems. Not following any standard form, The Muons sound like they are singing songs to lost civilizations, buried under centuries of dirt, long forgotten. I also hear strong Irish connotations on these five tracks. Main Muon, Greg Bianchini, has a fantastic droning voice that plays off the dreamy/spacey pop affects perfectly. On "Flowers" and "Land's End" in particular, it's as if he's narrating a forest funeral procession of a fallen, Elvin hero. I don't use the word whimsical very often, but it applies here. "Green Man" and "Space Men," the two opening tracks, remind me of the Vaselines in many ways, but with a Jewelled Antler twist. Overall, I can't believe The Muons aren't actively recording. It's fine for those in San Francisco who get to see them perform on a regular basis, but for the rest of us, we're really missing out a great band. Come on Greg, just press record! 7/10 --
Brad Rose (11 June, 2005)
