Torch of the Mystics explained

Torch of the Mystics
Type:studio
Artist:Sun City Girls
Cover:Sun City Girls Torch of the Mystics.jpg
Length:37:48
Label:Majora
Tupelo (re-issue)
Producer:Sun City Girls
Prev Title:Horse Cock Phepner
Prev Year:1987
Next Title:Dawn of the Devi
Next Year:1991

Torch of the Mystics is the fourth studio album by American experimental rock band Sun City Girls.[1] The 1990 LP cover released on Majora differs from the 1993 CD reissue by Tupelo.

Recording history

Most of the album was recorded on an 8-track at a home in Tempe, Arizona in 1988. The band took much of their inspiration from Alan Bishop's field recordings.[2]

Release and reception

Torch of the Mystics was originally issued by Majora Records solely on vinyl format in 1990. However, due to its compressed and tinny sounding production, the album was remastered and re-released by Tupelo Records in 1993.[3]

Noting its "swirling, psychedelic ethnic forgeries that will make Can fans renounce post-Landed Kraut Rock wax", Byron Coley wrote in Spin that the album "is easily the richest, lumpiest puddle of guh they've yet emitted."[4]

Since its release, the album has received critical acclaim from websites such as Allmusic and Pitchfork.

Sources

The song "The Shining Path" is cover of the Bolivian song "Llorando se fue," recorded by Los Kjarkas in 1981.

In popular culture

Personnel

Adapted from the Torch of the Mystics liner notes.[5]

Sun City Girls

Release history

RegionDateLabelFormatCatalog
United States1990MajoraLP5-23102
1993Tupelo Recording CompanyCDTUP44
2015AbductionCDABDT 055

Notes and References

  1. Ira . Robbins . David . Sprague . Sun City Girls . . 2007 . July 11, 2015.
  2. News: Richard Bishop Reflects on Sun City Girls' Reissued Classic Psych-Rock LP Torch of the Mystics. The Stranger. 2018-05-11. en.
  3. Sundell, Spencer."Torch of the Mystics". suncitygirls.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2010.
  4. Web site: Sun City Girls: Discography - Torch of the Mystics. www.suncitygirls.com. en. 2018-05-11.
  5. Torch of the Mystics . . 1990 . sleeve . Majora Records . Seattle, Washington.