This came out in 1968? Silver Apples, a psychedelic/electronic rock duo from New York consisting of Simeon & Danny Taylor (rip), predated many of the musical styles popular today, and this self-titled debut showcases 9 groundbreaking compositions. Recorded with Taylor on drums and Simeon operating The Simeon, “a homemade synthesizer consisting of 12 oscillators and an assortment of sound filters, telegraph keys, radio parts, lab gear, and a variety of second-hand electronic junk,” the intergalactic expressions on the album are just fascinating and unlike any other recordings released around the same time. From the steady 4/4 rhythms and hypnotic synth dronings to the vocals, the album’s eventual influence on krautrock and early electronic music pioneers like Kraftwerk is difficult to refute, and we can only imagine what Silver Apples would have sounded like in the context of ’60s mainstream music, e.g., the Beatles (experimental in their own right, but come on, compared to this?). Check out “Oscillations,” “Lovefingers,” “Velvet Cave,” and “Program,” but this is one of those recommended LPs that must be listened to from start to finish. Lastly, diggers already know how much there is to draw from on this record, considering the wealth of sparse electronics and pronounced drums present on here.

• blue sky colored vinyl
• printed inner sleeve
• first reissue from original tapes
• limited edition
• original release year: 1968
• music label: Jackpot Records 2017

reviewed by nakaveli 11/2017