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Jack in the Box - "Do You Believe in Beetles?"

Jack in the Box is a new project by Tim Jones known for example from the band Census of Hallucination. Apart from Tim (vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, bass, keyboards and sound effects) also featured is for example drummer Sekrit Steve, his old pal from the Somebody Famous times. For some reason Tim is presented on the album as Jim Tones… This 37-minute album has 11 tracks of pretty psychedelic, pleasant and mainly pop-like rock. First up is “That Sound” that starts off with a beautiful picked guitar thing and then follows some psychedelic sound effects, keyboards and narration. This is a rather mind-expanding, peaceful sound collage. They go through The Beatles song “Hide Your Love Away” with a pretty psychedelic touch and the short ”The Martians Are Coming” is experimental, minimalistic effect ambient. “Giving Up the Ghost” is a nice, mid-tempo pop piece that also has some tasty solo guitar. Also “Roundabout” continues in similar, quite relaxed moods. The song ”Take Me Flying” has an early 80’s styled disco beat and then we’re in for some magical moments with the tranquil and wonderful ”Circus Town” that has some female vocals too as well as bird-song. Possibly the best piece on the album. The short instrumental ”Theme to an Imaginary Song” is a bit groovier stuff including great solo guitar work and ”This Is Real ” a funky track with percussion also including some tender female vocals. The most up-beat number on the disc is the rather 80’s styled “Hold On” that is great stuff. The album is finished with the two-minute-long ”Reprise to an Imaginary Song” and we’re once again treated with a nice guitar solo by Tim. All in all, Do You Believe in Beetles? is a very nice, enjoyable whole that will go down well with all the Tim Jones fans out there.

by DJ Astro, Psychotropic Zone