Motorpsycho - Blissard (1996) [2012, 4CD Box Set]

The ongoing Motorpsycho archaeology project, which began with a 4CD box set based on 1994 breakthrough album Timothy’s Monster, sidesteps the band’s detour into country rock with The Tussler to pick up the trail with 1995’s Blissard. This new 4CD set contains the original album plus contemporaneous EPs, stray cuts, studio experimentation, and an entire, previously unreleased album.

The expansive treatment seems entirely appropriate for Blissard, which is a real curate’s egg in its original form. It begins with a run of songs that rank among Motorpsycho’s most commercial. Thereafter it flirts with both grunge and instrumental epics, only to end on a downbeat note with a duet for voice and banjo, and a solo mood piece by Deathprod, aka producer/Motorpsycho auxiliary Helge Sten.

Still, for my money, Blissard is at least as good an album as Timothy’s Monster, and the expanded edition proves more essential than last year’s trawl through Timothy‘s archives. Not least because it includes When the World Sleeps, an album the band simply grew out of and canned in favour of the sessions that ultimately led to Blissard. I’ll come back to it.

There’s also the first version of Blissard, expensively recorded at Atlantis Studios in Stockholm and mixed by Pieter ‘Pidah’ Kloos, hence: The Pidah Mixes. This the band also canned, apparently because they detected in the “cassette dubs” of the final mixes (auditioned in a van, en-route home to Oslo) a “hi-fi lack of energy and dullness”.

Then there’s ‘The Atlantis Psychosis Files’ – 20 minutes of experimental self-indulgence, recorded at Atlantis while Pidah was busy mixing. Among these tracks are those included as ‘hidden’ bonuses on both Blissard and its eventual follow-up, Angels & Daemons at Play, which now need no CD rewind trickery to access.

Other odds & sods, which include a full-blooded romp through The Who’s “Heaven and Hell”, saw light of day on the Manmower and Nerve Tattoo EPs, the tracks of which are all present and correct.

There’s very little duplication of material across the four discs, but there is an early alternate take on album cut “Drug Thing”, which was recorded in a half-finished studio, two versions of “Mad Sun“, and three stabs at “Stalemate”, none of which made the cut for Blissard.

The band didn’t nail “Stalemate” until the final sessions for Angels & Daemons. Here it is as first recorded for the discarded When The World Sleeps album, and again for Blissard, mixed by Pidah but subsequently discarded. The final version incorporates elements from a track titled “That Dying Breed”, which is included here as part of a six-song sequence of proto-Blissard rehearsal tapes from 1995: tracks that were variously cannibalised or, in two cases, “simply forgotten”.

The Pidah version of Blissard is more coherent than the final release, with raw vigour (I obviously don’t hear it as the band did). It includes two dropped tracks – “The Matter with Her” and the Dinosaur Jr-like “Like Always” – that are strong melodically, and would’ve made decent singles (the latter did, in fact, in a version by Sanderfinger).

The comparative roughness of these mixes sometimes works in their favour. The Pidah mix of “The Nerve Tattoo”, for example, sounds better in some respects without the violins that graced the Blissard single version.

More important for Motorpsycho fans than these early Blissard mixes is the ‘lost’ album, When the World Sleeps, a thing unto itself, with a completely different vibe to Blissard. It’s a more brooding and arguably a more powerful album on the whole, with shades of Crazy Horse on “Flick of the Wrist”.

Of the three tracks here that made it onto EPs (“The Ballad of Patrick and Putrick”, “Mad Sun” and the home demo of “7th Dream”), the last two make for a diffuse ending to the album, despite “Mad Sun”‘s ramshackle vigour, which mirrors Blissard‘s mixed blessing ending; but the four unreleased tracks that make up it’s bulk are powerful stuff.

“The Ballad of Patrick and Putrick” is a narcotised grunge epic, shuffling from one instrumental chorus to another via mumbled vocal verses and strummed acoustic guitars. Best of all, a superb cover of tour-mates Alabama Kids’ “Black W’abbit” is a psych-rock monster that competes with Blissard‘s “S.T.G.” as the standout track of the whole collection.

by Tim Owen, dalstonsound.wordpress.com

Tracklist Blissard Vol.1 - The Original Album (CD1):

01. Sinful, Wind-borne Sæther
Bass, Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb
Lead Guitar – HMR
Rhythm Guitar – Morten Fagervik
Violin – Ole Henrik 'OHM' Moe

02. "Drug Thing" Sæther
Backing Vocals, Lead Guitar – HMR
Bass, Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb
Rhythm Guitar – Morten Fagervik
Sampler – Deathprod

03. Greener Sæther
Acoustic Guitar, Bass – BS
Backing Vocals – BS, Morten Fagervik
Drums – Geb
Lead Guitar, Vocals – HMR
Mellotron, Rhythm Guitar, Vibraphone – Morten Fagervik

04. 's Numbness Sæther
Backing Vocals – Bitten Forsudd, HMR, Morten Fagervik, Rolf Yngve Uggen
Baritone Guitar, Bass, Lead Vocals – BS
Clavinet [Clavinette Abuse] – Deathprod, Morten Fagervik
Drums – Geb
Lead Guitar – HMR
Organ, Piano – Morten Fagervik
Sampler, Performer [Found Sounds] – Deathprod

05. The Nerve Tattoo Sæther, Gebhardt
Backing Vocals – Bitten Forsudd, HMR
Baritone Guitar, Bass, Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb
Effects [Echoplex] – Deathprod
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Synthesizer [Bass Pedals] – HMR
Violin – Ole Henrik 'OHM' Moe

06. True Middle Sæther, Burt
Acoustic Guitar, Bass – BS
Drums – Geb
Lead Guitar – HMR
Narrator – Matt Burt
Rhythm Guitar – Morten Fagervik

07. S.T.G. Sæther
Bass, Lead Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb
Electronics [Oscillator], Theremin – Deathprod
Lead Guitar, Synthesizer [Bass Pedals] – HMR
Rhythm Guitar – Morten Fagervik

08. Manmower Sæther, Ryan
Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Bass [Fuzz Bass], Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb
Effects [Echo Chamber Oscillations] – Deathprod
Keyboards, Vibraphone – Morten Fagervik
Lead Guitar, Piano – HMR

09. Fool's Gold Sæther
Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – BS
Banjo – HMR
Recorded By – BS, HMR

10. Nathan Daniel's Tune From Hawaii Sten
Effects [Roland 201 Space Echo], Guitar [1956 Danelectro U2], Mixed By, Recorded By, Sampler [Akai S1000HD], Sequenced By [Alesis MMT8] – Deathprod




Tracklist Blissard Vol.2 - When The World Sleeps (The Kit-Sessions, 1994) (CD2):

01. Stalemate Sæther
Backing Vocals, Bass – HMR
Drums – Geb
Guitar, Vocals – BS
Mellotron – Morten Fagervik

02. Flick Of The Wrist Sæther
Backing Vocals – HMR, Geb
Bass, Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb
Keyboards – Morten Fagervik
Lead Guitar – HMR

03. When The World Sleeps Sæther
Effects [Space Echo Oscillations] – HMR
Guitar, Vocals – BS
Loops, Sampler [Guitar Samples] – Deathprod

04. Black W'abbit The Alabama Kids
Bass, Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb
Organ [Viscount] – Morten Fagervik
Twelve-String Guitar [12-string Electric Guitar] – HMR

05. The Ballad Of Patrick & Putrick Sæther
Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Harmonium, Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb
Electric Guitar – HMR
Mellotron – Morten Fagervik

06. 7th Dream Sæther
Acoustic Guitar, Mellotron, Pedal Steel Guitar, Vocals – BS

07. Mad Sun Sæther
Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Percussion, Vocals – BS
Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Harmonium, Violin – HMR
Drums – Geb




Tracklist Blissard Vol.3 - The Pidah Mixes (CD3):

01. Sinful, Wind-borne Sæther
Bass, Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb
Lead Guitar – HMR
Rhythm Guitar – Morten Fagervik

02. "Drug Thing" Sæther
Bass, Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb
Lead Guitar – HMR
Rhythm Guitar – Morten Fagervik

03. Greener Sæther
Backing Vocals – BS, Morten Fagervik
Bass – BS
Drums – Geb
Lead Guitar – HMR, Morten Fagervik
Mellotron, Vibraphone – Morten Fagervik
Vocals – HMR

04. The Matter With Her Sæther
Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Vocals – BS
Backing Vocals – HMR, Morten Fagervik
Drums – Geb
Lead Guitar – HMR
Piano – BS, HMR, Morten Fagervik
Rhythm Guitar – Morten Fagervik

05. 's Numbness Sæther
Backing Vocals – HMR, Morten Fagervik
Baritone Guitar, Bass, Vocals – BS
Clavinet [Clavinette Abuse] – Deathprod, Morten Fagervik
Drums – Geb
Lead Guitar – HMR
Piano, Organ – Morten Fagervik

06. The Nerve Tattoo Sæther, Gebhardt
Backing Vocals, Lead Guitar, Synthesizer [Bass Pedals] – HMR
Bass, Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb
Rhythm Guitar – Morten Fagervik

07. Manmower Sæther, Ryan
Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Bass [Fuzz Bass], Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb
Effects [Echo Chamber Oscilliations] – Deathprod
Keyboards, Vibraphone – Morten Fagervik
Lead Guitar, Piano – HMR

08. Like Always Sæther
Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb
Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals – HMR
Rhythm Guitar – Morten Fagervik

09. True Middle Sæther, Burt
Acoustic Guitar, Bass – BS
Drums – Geb
Lead Guitar – HMR
Narrator – Matt Burt
Rhythm Guitar – Morten Fagervik

10. S.T.G. Sæther
Bass, Vocals – BS
Drums, Timpani – Geb
Electronics [Oscillator], Theremin, Vocoder [And Probably Vocoder] – Deathprod
Lead Guitar, Synthesizer [Bass Pedals] – HMR
Rhythm Guitar – Morten Fagervik

11. Stalemate Sæther
Bass, Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb
Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals – HMR
Mellotron, Rhythm Guitar – Morten Fagervik




Tracklist Blissard Vol.4 - The Ones That Got Away: B-Sides, Rehearsal Tapes, The Atlantis Psychosis Files.. (CD4):

01. The Nerve Tattoo Sæther, Gebhardt
Backing Vocals – Bitten Forsudd, HMR
Bass, Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb
Effects [Echoplex] – Deathprod
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Synthesizer [Bass Pedals] – HMR
Violin – Ole Henrik 'OHM' Moe

02. Of Beacons And Beams Gebhardt
Performer [Everything, Incl. The Kitchen Sink] – Geb

03. The Wheel Sæther, Ryan, Gebhardt, Lien
Acoustic Guitar – BS, Morten Fagervik
Banjo – Geb
Violin – HMR
Vocals – BS

04. Pale Day Sten
Effects [Roland 201 Space Echo], Guitar, Recorded By, Sampler [Akai S1000HD], Sequenced By [Alesis MMT8], Vocals – Helge Sten

05. Mad Sun [Short Version] Sæther
Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Percussion, Vocals – BS
Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Harmonium, Violin – HMR
Drums – Geb

06. A Saw Sage Full Of Secretion Geb
Performer [Yup - Kitchen Sink] – Geb

07. Heaven And Hell Entwistle
Backing Vocals, Guitar – HMR
Bass, Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb

08. Sterling Says Sæther, Ryan
Backing Vocals, Drums, Rhythm Guitar – HMR
Bass, Lead Guitar, Percussion, Vocals – BS
Mixed By – Deathprod
Recorded By – BS, HMR
Words By – Matt Burt

09. Never Judge Sæther
Bass – BS
Drums – Geb
Guitar – HMR, Morten Fagervik
Keyboards – Morten Fagervik

10. Baby Scooter Sæther
Bass – BS
Drums – Geb
Guitar – HMR, Morten Fagervik
Keyboards – Morten Fagervik

11. In The Midst Of All That Gebhardt
Bass – BS
Drums – Geb
Guitar – HMR, Morten Fagervik
Keyboards – Morten Fagervik

12. Silver Tongue Sæther, Ryan
Bass – BS
Drums – Geb
Guitar – HMR, Morten Fagervik
Keyboards – Morten Fagervik

13. Dave Gave Up Sæther, Gebhardt
Bass – BS
Drums – Geb
Guitar – HMR, Morten Fagervik
Keyboards – Morten Fagervik

14. That Dying Breed Sæther
Bass – BS
Drums – Geb
Guitar – HMR, Morten Fagervik
Keyboards – Morten Fagervik

15. "Drug Thing" Sæther
Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Vocals – BS
Drums – Geb
Engineer – Eystein Hopeland, Helge Sten, Paal Klåstad
Lead Guitar – HMR
Rhythm Guitar – Morten Fagervik
Sampler – Deathprod

16. A Shortcut To The Stars Ryan
Drums – BS
Electronics [Oscillator] – Deathprod
Organ [Hammond] – HMR

17. La Luna Sten
Marimba – BS
Organ [Hammond] – Deathprod
Vibraphone – HMR

18. Atlantis Swing Gebhardt
Banjo, Piano – Geb
Bass – BS
Drums [And How!] – HMR
Lead Guitar – Morten Fagervik

19. Familjen Tar Plats I Studion / Fyra Kvällar Session
Double Bass – HMR
Drums [In Vain Trying To Make Those Drums Swing Elegantly] – BS
Written-By – Sæther, Ryan, Sten, Gebhardt, Fagervik

20. Jazz På Trøndska Sæther, Ryan
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – HMR
Piano – BS




All thanks go to CoJIHblIIIKo