Cicadelic Rec. 
V.A. : Three O'Clock Merrian Webster Time
-22 Psychedelic Sounds from Texas.- (US,1966-68,re.2011)***°
On this compilation we get a couple of bands that were somewhat related to each other, for the region and a certain variety in style and foundations of the band, physically and musically. One other band, The Lemon Fog, which was just reissued before by this label, had signed to the same label in those days as The Nomads, Orbit Records. Most tracks are from The Nomads, but this includes also 5! different versions of the same song, mostly studio outtakes (not sure why they added so many of them, hearing the band fall over the right tracking many times, it still is a great song).
What you hear on Carrols Mood’s first track is one song very much influenced by The Beatles, while the foundation is more garage-like. Nearly every band on the compilation has a simple drum kit, is driven by simple rhythms and electric rhythm guitars a la Byrds, and somewhere there’s always an organ present, with some bands recorded more as a background instrument, always adding a melancholic and psychedelic touch. After a second rhythmically driven ballad by Carrolls Mood, especially “Walk Alone”, the third track, is a great discovery knowing also that this was an unreleased song, it is not to be missed. Perhaps it was too dark for publication in those days but that is also its great quality.
Carrols Mood later became Sights and Sounds with one single recording, a good swinging freakbeat beat song with fuzzed rhythm, nice harmony singing and some organ.
The Nomads clearly shows the direction from the same area to more psychedelic inspirations, (there’s a Byrds influence a bit on one track), with the title track having another strong melancholic sadness in it. This band later evolved into The Smoke, who released one single. “Mainstream” is one other winner of a 60s song. The B-side is more heavy blues-rock with heavy electric freakouts still with a calm blues rhythm.
The song by Rebellers has very good lyrics about a generation of people living day by day. It is early psych with more dominant organ besides a simple swinging rhythm by drum and electric guitar.
The Remaining Few has even more organ and a psychedelic sound, with oscillating electric guitars on the first track, followed by a ballad with repetitive rhythm that includes an organ led melancholy and wah-wah guitars, with a psychedelic sound as well.
