BURIED TREASURE

Riches from the rock underground

FOREVER AMBER

The Love Cycle, Advance Records, UK, 1969. £4,500,

Formed in Cambridge (initially as the Country Cousins) in 1967, Forever Amber lasted only until 1969, but with The Love Cycle they left behind a definite Holy Grail of late-60s UK psychedelia and one of the most sought-after ‘private pressings’ of the era.

It’s a concept album that follows a relationship from its beginning to its end. It has been described as a lowbudget caricature of The Zombies’ masterpiece Odessey & Oracle. While that might be a vaguely indicative reference point, the album doesn’t really sound like that at all. Yes, it was recorded cheaply and pressed as a miniscule edition of just 99 copies, but it has a unique, alluring character of its own.

The first five tracks are charming, wellexecuted, vibrant pop, with shared and often harmonious lead vocals. The ambience is enhanced by some tasteful keyboard licks from future Strawbs member Chris Parren. Things take an almost schizophrenic turn with The Dreamer Flies Back: distorted guitars, wah-wah pedals, effected dreamy vocals and violent phasing takes over, as psychedelic minds are instantly blown.

Better Things Are Bound To Come is another monster psych track, with spooky backing vocals and menacing lead guitar, churning bass growls and a groovy beat. All The Colours Of My

Book is an unusually upbeat rocker with frantic drumming and a wild guitar break.

I See You As You Used To Be is a gentle baroque-pop ballad, and On Top Of My Own Special Mountain is a jazzy groover. Beautiful closer My Friend is Love Cycle’s most memorable moment.

‘The album is a definite Holy Grail of late-60s UK psychedelia.’