Fuchsia - 2017 - Song

(31:42; Fruits de Mer Records)

Track list:
1. Look at the Sun 3:31
2. The Band 3:22
3. The Nothing Song 8:22
4. Piper at the Gates of Time 4:19
5. Fuchsia Song     4:00
6. Box of Destiny 4:55
7. Just Another Song 3:13

Line-up:
Not stated


Prolusion.
UK band Fuchsia is among those bands from yesteryear that I suspect most people will have a hard time recognizing, as it was one of many one album bands from the classic era of UK rock history. That album being the self-titled "Fuchsia" from back in 1971. Main man Tony Durant revived the band some 40 years later though, now based out of Australia, and a second studio album then appeared back in 2013. A few years later the compilation album "Song" appeared, released as a double vinyl single through UK vinyl specialist label Fruits de Mer Records.

Analysis.
Rather than being a compilation album of Fuchsia, I understand that this production really is a brief venture into the various creative efforts of the band's main member Tony Durant, with the greater majority of the songs here being compositions released under the Fuchsia band name. The seven compositions included here covering a time span of almost 50 years. Thus we get songs from different time periods with different characteristics to enjoy here, as well as a view into how Durant progressed as a composer over the decades.

The initial songs tend to be a bit darker in mood and atmosphere, with some garage rock tendencies and a bit more of a gloomy and haunting sound often being the order of the day. With extensive use of lead and backing vocal details to emphasize the psychedelic nature of these songs to boot.

As we get closer in time to the present the psychedelic aspects of the material tends to lessen, but the features that do remain are certain slight flourishes in the direction of The Beatles, and then in particular with the use of strings as a harmony-oriented and atmospheric overlay as well as the use of string instruments to add a more playful and elegant feel to the songs in general. Another feature maintained is a tendency for the songs to feature inclusions of and references towards folk music. With some songs from the past as well as more towards the present also having a bit more of a minimalist arrangement in part or in full.

The concluding track here, which I presume is the most recent too, presents a rather different sounding entity. Here the psychedelic elements have been slotted away more completely, and the references towards The Beatles are rather secluded too. Instead we have the folk music elements paired off with what I'd describe as more of an Americana inspired mode and mood, but with the strings very much in place still, while the song itself has a bit more of a gentle and melancholic feel to it.

This is an interesting journey through the decades of what I suspect the greater majority of people would describe as a cult band, and while perhaps mostly of interest to fans of psychedelic rock we do get songs, especially from the earlier phase of Durant's life as a creator of music that for many will fit inside of the perception of progressive rock too. On the Progarchives website this band is sorted under progressive folk, which strikes me as a sensible choice in some ways at least. The main challenge with this particular compilation is to actually find it of course, as it was a limited release by a vinyl specialist label well known for selling out many of their vinyl titles even prior to the official release date. Which means that this is a production that has been sold out from the label for a good few years by now.

Conclusion.
It is interesting when bands that may have been one known by a more niche audience only gets a bit of recognition many years later. With Fuchsia being a good example of this I suspect. And releasing a little bit of a compilation album certainly is appropriate when such matters occur. The only negative about this one in that regard is that it isn't readily available. But if you enjoy the folkier and more psychedelic aspects of progressive rock, and generally enjoy music in these categories being explored with string additions, then this double single compilation should be quite the worthwhile experience. For those who don't feel the need to hunt for a limited edition compilation album, there's obviously the option to track down the two studio albums by Fuchsia, which are very much available. Still, as far as compilations goes, this one gets a solid thumbs up from me.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, November 2024

Links:
https://fuchsiamusic.com/
https://www.fruitsdemerrecords.com