Homer - Acid Visions - Psychedelic Music And Psych
Homer - Grown In USA (1970)
Artist: Homer
Album: Grown in USA
Released: 1970
Akarma Records (2002) (AK 210)
Genre: Rock / Psychedelic / Hard Progressive
Texans Homer release just the one album, Grown in U.S.A. It's a slightly mixed bag, to be honest, fusing psych, hard rock and, er, country into a sort-of interesting stew that doesn't always work, if truth be told. After psychedelic hard rock opener Circles In The North, the pedal steel puts in an appearance on the next couple of tracks, particularly on Dawson Creek, almost a straight country rock song. The rest of the album veers between the rock and country sides of the band, often during the same song, with twin guitar leads battling it out with pedal steel balladry in an almost unique mix of styles.
Rob Meurer (misspelled Meuer on the sleeve) plays Mellotron on most of the record, which must make this one of the earliest American 'Tron (as against Chamberlin) albums. Most of his use is nice, upfront strings, although flutes and even brass rear their misshapen heads occasionally. Meurer seems to use practically no other instrument, although the odd synth line puts in an appearance, sounding like an old Moog III. I'd give this a higher star rating if it wasn't for the country influence; OK, it makes for a more unusual album, though not always in a good way. Plenty of Mellotron, though, so worth it for that if you can track a copy down.
Tracklist:
01 - Circles In The North
02 - Taking Me Home
03 - Dawson Creek
04 - Survivor
05 - In The Beginning
06 - Love's Coming
07 - Four Days And Nights 'Without
You'
08 - Cyrano In The Dark
09 - Lonely Woman
Bonus Tracks :
10 - Sunrise
11 - Dandelion Wine