Customer Reviews

The Great Psychedelic Discography (Music) (v. 1)

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A nice try by the author. But his lack of knowledge and omissions of dozens of psychedelic bands (especially American artists) makes this a very incomplete work. His reviews are also weak as he barely lists but a few words or recomendations on each artist. The lp,cd and album listings are quite good. Perhaps a few more years of research and music listening would have made this a good reference book.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. I have discovered a lot of artists I may not have otherwise ever found out about, but the problem is most if not all of them are not psychedelic. This book covers progressive rock way too extensively to be called psychedelic (which isn't a problem for me, as I also like that genre), in fact there are more mainstream and progressive acts listed than psychedelic ones and too many artists Martin lists really don't fit either genre. The same problem exists with the neo-psych listings at the back of the book. Not many fans of psychedelic music (old or new)are going to find pleasure in De La Soul's rap output.
Another problem with the book is major artists with possibly one or two diversions into psych are listed with full discographies, when they should be limited to specific albums that fit the genre. Why waste 2 and half pages on the complete Rolling Stones discography when the closest they ever came to psychedelia was "Their Satanic Majesties Request". Martin already has their complete discography where it belongs in another book. Same with the Kinks, Neil Young (who hardly belongs here at all), and many other artists.
My final gripe is with the fact that Martin has obviously done some digging to find obscure progressive artists (especially Krautrock bands). Obviously if he had done more work he would have dug up some glaring omissions, such as a host of American psychedelic bands and even progressive bands with a much more impressive output than some of the bands he chose to include (where is Finch, Tir Na Nog, and many others?).
As I stated above, the book is very informative, and has a wealth of information not found elsewhere, but to call it "the Great Psychedelic Discography" is kind of a misleading title. If you want more extensive psych listings and have deep pockets, go find the Borderline Books Fuzz Acid and Flowers and get it.

Sure, there are many artists missing, but to date this is the most comprehensive one-volume book ever written on psychedelic and neo-psychedelic rock music... A very solid effort and a must have for any serious psychedelic rock music fan... Now out of print, it has become quite a sought after item...

Martin C. Strong, the intellectual muscle behind Mojo magazine's brilliant editorial staff, has collected damn near every psychedelic acid-rock artist in one volume, from the mid-60s on up; far too many to name. Detailed artist/group bios, COMPLETE lists of 45/EP/LP releases, plus cross-referencing links, built on Strong's bottomless well of musical knowledge - and a genuine love for his topic. A perfect companion piece for his three other volumes in the Great Discography series, or a dynamite reference work on its own. Essential for record collectors and/or acid-rock enthusiasts.