Kaleidoscopin': Exploring Prisms of the Past [Import]

Wondermints | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 22, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: NOW SOUNDS
• ASIN: B002RBNO8A
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,439 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2009 collection of rarities from the L.A. Pop outfit who are now best known as Brian Wilson's backing band. Emerging in the early '90s with a series of self-made cassettes, Wondermints quickly developed a reputation for being one of the preeminent bands operating in Los Angeles. Kaleidoscopin' collects many early demos, album outtakes, and covers, all sourced from the original master tapes. Just one listen to Kaleidoscopin' and it immediately becomes apparent why, in 1996, Brian Wilson said, "If I'd had Wondermints in 1967, I'd have taken Smile out on the road." 20 tracks. New Sound.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exploring Prisms of Wondermints' Past, January 17, 2010

By 

D. MCCABE (Boonville, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kaleidoscopin': Exploring Prisms of the Past (Audio CD)

Back in the mid to late 1990s in Los Angeles, there was a small cadre of bands and musicians who specialized in an underground pop music style that not only borrowed from the 1960s and `70s but also made those influences fresh. Among those bands were Baby Lemonade, The Negro Problem, and Wondermints. Fans of those three bands now know that Mike and Rusty of Baby Lemonade later wound up as part of Arthur Lee's Love, Stew and Heidi from The Negro Problem went on to Broadway success and a Tony Award for their "Passing Strange", and Wondermints spent the last eleven years as the core of Brian Wilson's recording and touring band.

However, when practically all of the songs on Kaleidoscopin' were recorded, Wondermints were just getting known among LA pop aficionados. Between 1995 and 2002, the band released three albums of original material, one album of covers, and one EP. Prior to that and in between those releases the band recorded songs that were released on various compilation albums, tribute albums, and even one soundtrack, as well as their self-released "colored tapes". It is from these releases that most of the tracks for Kaleidoscopin' were culled.

Instead of Kaleidoscopin` being just a "best of", this newly released disc offers hints at an alternate musical history for Wondermints. The band never rocked as hard on any of their studio albums as they did on Galactic Patrol. Wondermints' studio albums are a mix of power pop, lounge, and jazz, but with And Penny Knows, No One's Girl, and the cover of The Hollies' You Need Love, Kaleidoscopin' brings Wondermints' power pop side to the forefront. It also has the distinction of being their most stripped down release, as evidenced by Nick Walusko's Runnin' Through the Night, a charming folk song about UFOs and aliens.

Songs such as the Turtles-esque Invisible Paint would have fit perfectly on the debut album, and the story relayed by Nick about Invisible Paint in the liner notes adds to the overall enjoyment of the album. Included in the liner notes is a track by track commentary by the writer or lead singer of that particular song. A generous helping of previously unseen photos of the band and various Wondermints concert posters from the `90s are also provided. Add to that some terrific graphics work by Darian and Steve Stanley, the label owner, and you have a wondemintfully complete package.

This is a carefully put together collection that serves as both a compliment to Wondermints' stellar musical output and a tribute to an overlooked band from an overlooked musical community. The only complaint I have about the album is that it leaves the listener wanting more and I personally don't think I can wait another seven years!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surpassed My Already High Expectations!, February 1, 2010

By 

Firstbassman (Eugene, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kaleidoscopin': Exploring Prisms of the Past (Audio CD)

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I ordered this disc. I was overjoyed to see anything by Wondermints. However, comps issued after a group is no longer a group, are sometimes nothing more than a closet-cleaning exercise; one last effort to cash in on the leftovers (Led Zeppelin's Coda comes to mind). But as another reviewer pointed out, nearly all of these were released at some point, but either in a very limited format (cassette for the early tunes), or on various artist comps and soundtracks.

So one might anticipate that this CD would have a pieced-together feel to it and that the quality might vary, especially on the earlier tracks. Let me tell you, this could not be farther from the truth. The songs flow together beautifully throughout, without all sounding the same. I find it easy to forget that these songs were not all cut at once for one particular album. The first two-thirds of the CD has a similar groove to their self titled debut CD. The first song "And Penny Knows" demonstrates that these guys knew what they were doing from the very beginning. The somewhat revamped rendition of "Playtex Aviary" is harder hitting on the drums and lead guitar, but loses a little bit of the dark feel of the better known version.

From "The Party" on, the CD goes in a more lighthearted direction with their contribution to the Austin Powers soundtrack and a handful of 60s covers. The final track, a collection of spoken Christmas blurbs, reminds me of the messages and skits that the Beach Boys put at the end of some of their early albums.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two words: ABOUT TIME!!!, January 4, 2010

By 

Katie "Vinyl Princess" (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kaleidoscopin': Exploring Prisms of the Past (Audio CD)

Ever since the band's last effort "Mind If We Make Love To You," I am sure there has been plenty of fans begging for more. Well finally, they have thrown us a bone! This compilation is fabulous with some songs released for the first time taken from their early years, and as well as songs that were on multiple compilations. It is nice to have them all in one place and I have to say my favorite of this is the rejected Christmas messages. They are more then just part of Brian Wilson's touring band, and for any doubters out there, just hand them this CD!