So 10 is the band’s tenth album and it includes guaranteed, mind-expanding COH stuff. There are 15 tracks on the album, many of which are relatively short. They have used quite a lot of programming, but there are also live drums on some of the songs. The production of Tim Jones has given the record a nice, psychedelic finishing touch. ”Icon in a Bad Light” has a psychedelic intro and is a nice psych rock song a bit in the Spirit style. The Gong-like, hypnotic “Cause Inebriation” includes mantra-like vocals and the speed variation in the end gives it a really acidic zing. After a short, jazzy instrumental also “Made in England” brings to mind recent Gong a bit in all its groovyness and fun. The heavier “Silver Spoon” on the other hand, is like 80’s Hawkwind. After the old light music-like piece follows ”Te-Wit-Te-Woo To It” that is a bit boogie-like nice song that has a 80’s pop feel to it. “Secrets of the Alchemists” has some piano and fuzz guitar and leads us to the suitably airy beginning of ”The Love of Flying” that is an excellent, hazy instrumental that raises the psych-e-meters to the ceiling. “Slinky” is again a bit jazzy, minimal instrumental and after that we get the exquisite ”Celestial Creatures in the Dreamtime” and the title gives a good clue of what it’s all about. A rather relaxed track with some great guitar playing and harmony vocals. Then follows some heavenly and beautiful ambient keyboard floating in form of “Squelch” and I really like that one. The chorus of the humorous ”Don’t Sing in the Park” sounds like Police and next we get a little strange instrumental called “The French Detective”. The album ends with the short “Epilogue” that has a very Pink Floyd-like atmosphere.
Census of Hallucinations is a really good band that has once again created a superb, whole album that works very well especially if you remember to take a suitable packed lunch for the journey. This album is a real trip!
(Reviewed by DJ Astro, The Psychotropic Zone)