Silver Apples- Silver Apples[1968]

Determination and a good idea can go a long way in terms of creating a lasting impression on the world around you. For Simeon Coxe III(aka Simeon), the good idea came in the form of a massive, self-constructed synthesizer known as The Simeon. Consisting of "nine audio oscillators piled on top of each other and eighty-six manual controls to control lead, rhythm and bass pulses with hands, feet and elbows", The Simeon proves capable of producing some pretty interesting sounds, ranging from wobbly drones flute-like burbles, and coupled with drummer Danny Taylor's metronomic, yet engaging backbeats, generates some compellingly eerie psychedelic music.

Silver Apples were one of the earliest groups to fully embrace synthesizers as more than a novelty, and the devotion shines through brilliantly. "Oscillations", probably the duo's most recognizable track, rumbles along over a two-note bass vamp, with Simeon's ...distinctive vocals echoing around way out front. Some tracks, such as "Seagreen Serenades" and "Program", have a certain dirge-like quality, droning on and on over warm, yet spooky flutes and random samples, whereas others, like "Whirly-Bird", have a broken-toy sort of thing going on. "Dust" is all oscillating drones and cymbal washes, with Simeon's inherently creepy vocals repeating vaguely unsettling mantras over everything, and is probably the most far-out track on the album. One exception to the funky chugs and drones of this brilliant debut is "Dancing Gods", which is Silver Apples' take on a traditional Navajo song, complete with pounding toms and tambourine.

This album has got an undeniably weird sound to it. If the drones and repetition don't turn you off, then Simeon's freaky vocals might do the trick. If you don't mind either, then feel free to listen and see where all that synthpop came from.