Customer Reviews

Silver Apples / Contact

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I knew Simeon of Silver Apples back in 94. At that time he was working as an artist (the kind that paint). His work and exhibit were great, I bought some of his work. He had mentioned that he was in a band in the late 60's called Silver Apples and that he had, for practical purposes invented the synthesizer. Being a musician I was intrigued by his story and periodically looked for Silver Apples' records without much luck. Then I stumbled on this re-release here at Amazon.com. What a surprise (I realize now that Simeon really "played down" his musical career and contribution to music technology.). The album Contact is phenomenal. At the risk of oversimplifying Silver Apples "two decades ahead of the rest of the world" sound - I would say the album has lyrics and vocals that resonate with hints of Jim Morrison/Doors poetry. But that would be the only 60's reference I could use. The real power of this album is that you have to jump ahead 20 to 30 years to provide any other comparisons. All syth-pop, techno and industrial bands of the 80's and 90's can trace their music (and equipment) back to the two original Silver Apple's albums found in this compilation. Songs like "Oscillations" and "You and I" give witness to the birth of synthesized music. Ironically bands now program drum machines to sound like "real drummers". Silver Apples percussionist Dan Taylor's driving metronomic style is so precise that, if it weren't 1969, you'd swear he was a machine. All in all, anyone who makes claim to being a connoisseur of, techno, industrial or alternative music must have this album. This album is at minimal - important. You may also like Solitaire Best Of: 83-86.

I was lucky enough to be introduced to Silver Apples by my electronic music professor (Rob Constable). Since then I have gone on to share this album with many friends all who have been amazed that they had never heard of Silver Apples. With a strange dischordant funkiness, this band emits the rough appeal of Bjork with the oversampled mixes of Tricky. Don't let this comparison dissuade you, it is very difficult to explain Silver Apple's sound, but this is the nearest and most recognizable example that popped to mind when comparing Silver Apples to contemporary bands. If nothing else the sheer technical and aesthetic achievement (in the 60's!) of this album makes it important to any electronica listener. The mixes, classical samples, and loops are uncolored by modern electronic music, making this CD more original in its sound now then when it was first released. I truly encourage you to open your ears and tastes to this early deviation that has now become a major musical style.

This eighteen song disc is actually two albums on one CD;the duo's first self-titled lp('68)and 'Contact'('69).The Silver Apples are Simeon on audio generator&vocals and Dan Taylor on percussion&vocals.After hearing cuts like "Oscillations","Seagreen Serenade","Velvet Cave" and "Gypsy Love",you'll most likely get to appreciate their 30-years-ahead-of-their-time electronic wizardry.I believe this is the band that was a MAJOR influence on artists like Meat Beat Manifesto,Spacemen 3,The Cars and Stereolab.Simeon apparently suffered some serious automobile injuries during a reunion tour awhile back.Saw on some label's site that he's back in the business(good to know).A few years ago,Simeon and Taylor did a reunion tour plus released a couple of decent CD's,'Beacon' and 'Decatur'(see my review of both).I spoke with Simeon on the phone in spring '98 and he shared an interested tale with me.Check out the cover on 'Contact' as someone got in a heap of trouble for allowing the duo to have a photo shoot inside of a plane's cockpit.Top of the line electronic music with NOTHING held back.

this duo created music that was way ahead of the time in 1968-69. not everything on this album is exceptional, but it is very intriguing nonetheless. the music ranges from amusing to eerie. the songs are strange and mystical,yet often very catchy, rythmic, and ethereal. i would say that the 1st album is the better of the two, but contact contains what may very well be the silver apples' finest accomplishment , the superb " A pox on you", a truly incredible and ominous sounding track that is done with great emotion and excellent percussion. fans of psychedelic rock of the 60's as well as techno-industrial bands( which i normally loathe) will enjoy this prophetic release. for example,if you like, say, (the band not the country!) the united states of america , you'll probably like this also.a highly recommended release, especially if you're interested in the roots of electronic music in rock

I don't know where I first heard of the Silver Apples, but as another reviewer mentioned, if you've found the Silver Apples you probably like difficult music. While I would say I like music which has more to offer than what's on the glossy surface, my tastes are quite diversified. I also have to say that although I like what could be called "difficult" music, I wouldn't say that's what this is: As a matter of fact, I was surprised by just how catchy most of these songs are. This album demands your attention, and repeated listenings can't hurt either. Some of the simeon parts sound like Raymond Scott's Manhattan Research material, another early electronic pioneer. I am usually not a fan of electronic music (too clinical, predictable), but this has the sound of actual drums very closely interacting with the simeon, making for a more organic sound. Plus, to tell the truth, the singing doesn't bother me so much either; it's almost sweet and naive (like so much hippy singing) but pleasant enough. Some personal favourites are program, whirly-bird, misty mountain, you and I, Ruby, I have known love, and fantasies. If you are constantly wondering what new and interesting music to delve into, this is it.

This edition couples the two albuns recorded by this incredible band in it's first incarnation (late sixties): the band actually was a duo, composed by the percussionist Danny Taylor and the jack-of-all-trades Simeon (that sang, played banjo, flute and an odd instrument formed by nine audio oscillators, that he played with his hands, feet, knees and elbows!). Originality is the right word to describe these two albuns, excellent blend of electronic music (before Kraftwerk and others), folk and psychedelia. Soon after "Contact" (1969) the band broke up and only in the nineties Simeon joined forces with other drummer and released other two records, "Beacon" and "Decatur". But in 1998 the great Danny Taylor was found and rejoined the group.

I first heard this album, which is a combination of both of their original releases, while visiting England. I heard it in a record store and asked the clerk if it was new or old: I couldn't tell. For something new, it was artful and timely with innovative use of electronic sound. For something older, it had pleasant lyrics which were magically woven into unusual experimental sounds. Well, it was not only older, but 30 years ahead of it's time! I mean, people talk about Kraftwerk doing it first, but Silver Apples truly CREATED something no one else had done before and the world was surely not ready for their visions. In speaking to those who truly are interested in music, you'll find that many people not only know who Silver Apples are, but have been greatly influenced by their feat and hold them in very high regard.

How fun is this...
I was 14 in '69 when I bought That Shiny "Silver Apples" L.P. in a cut-out bin at Federal's Dept. Store.
Along with:
Calliope "Steamed",
Ultimate Spinache "Behold & See" and
Linn County "Proud Flesh Soothseer"
I don't think my musical tastes ever recovered from the impact.
This was, and still is, an excursion into bold and imaginative relms of musical possibilities, that unfortunately dried up on a commercial level with few exceptions for decades. AOR musical directors dictated by corporate bottom line and not "Art" quashed the avant gard and sent it underground .
Where this marvelous CD remains available only as an import, European tastes and demand,dictate this.
Thankfully someone (MCA Universal) had the forsight to combine these two L.P.s into a single release.
Electronic sound, as yet unheard of, combined with creative pecussions and unique vocal stylization ( can anyone say Syd Barrett, Marc Bolin?).
Then by Their 2nd release "Contact" adding Banjos to the mix!?!?
And the amazing thing is...it works!!! Brilliant!
Granted not top 40 material or something you'd put on at a party,
but nontheless, an Important intregal step in musical evolution, that ushered in accessable electronica.
Treat yourself to some of the oddest and most intriguing music of the late 60's with this package.
Oh, and here's a tip:
Don't just spin it once and judge, as with most ecclectic tastes, a cursery skim will not do.
It's an acquired taste, that has sat maturing for nearly 40 years.
Enjoy the trip.....

this is beautiful stuff. hypnotic minimal bass patterns, beautiful lyrics, utterly hypnotic drumming. the vocals may be an acquired taste, but if you're the type of person who wants all vocals to sound the same, you're in the wrong department of the record store anyhow.

I would have loved this in 1967 . Fuzzy theremin style music , exciting and experimental ... for 1967 . Brings back a bit of the feelings / moods of the time , but this is not Magical Mystery Tour or Saucerful Of Secrets