I do have one small regret about this album. 'Daydream (In the Slipstream)' should be at least 3 minutes longer to allow Tim Jones to develop the brilliant guitar breaks that 'bubble' but don't quite 'erupt' (Is a re-mix of this infectious song in order?) 'The Oats & Ivy Symphony has a more folky feel to it and C of H are never averse to including a few traditional bits and pieces- listen out also for the 'circus' music that introduces the astoundingly monikered sound collage 'Andy Warhol Dancing with Nuns In A Barrel of Paint' (Only the likes of Egg or Hatfield and the North could rival such a title!) 'Orgasmic Hairnet Sandwich' is another example not only of an eye catching title but also of the adventurous path taken by the group as a conversation carries on effortlessly beneath some beautifully counterpointed guitar licks.
However good the music has been thus far the crowning glory of the album (and indeed of the band's considerable catalogue) is surely 'Hard World' with Tim's very 'close up and personal' singing and a suitably apposite admonitory lyric melded with some haunting guitar arpeggios.
Another all time C of H classic must surely be 'To Prodigal's Guide' with subtle guitar work by Tim and touching lyrics by Tony Morland (How about this for a chorus: 'You took my soul and gave me liberty, You took my mind and set my thinking free, You took my heart and gave me eyes to see, You took my love and gave it back to me') Tony was the lyricist with C of H predecessors (the nearly as prolific The Rabbit's Hat). Tony's talent was sadly lost to the music scene this year and '7th Heaven' is dedicated to his memory.
Tony also writes the lyrics to another memorable piece of music 'The Sun is Rising' with its great lead guitar lines and jazz/ soul feel. As always Terri~B's vocals, sampling and effects contribute considerably to keeping the music experimental and unpredictable at times like the unnerving music and dialogue about being thrashed with a nettle on the aforementioned 'Andy Warhol'. We won't ask what that is all about!
Once again Census of Hallucinations manages to combine beautiful and challenging songs with 'tales of the unexpected'! As it says on the sleeve 'Onwards and Upwards'!
by Phil Jackson