Soft Hearted Scientists - 2025 - The Phantom of Canton

(77:00; Fruits de Mer Records)

On the FdeM page for this release there is a quote from ‘I Don’t Hear A Single’ which says, in part, that they “have trouble understanding why certain bands are not massive. If this was anytime between 1969 and 1976, you would have needed many trucks to deliver Soft Hearted Scientist to the eagerly awaiting Record Shops.” That is so very, very true indeed as there is an argument to be had that this is their finest album to date. Initially released on CD and digitally by the band themselves, it is now available as a triple vinyl set with the original album on the first four sides along with a sidelong 'suite' put together by Nathan Hall and Frank Naughton which picks up on the themes of the individual tracks, together with another side of instrumental mixes. Nathan states that the influences on this album contain 1940’s big band music, 1950’s doo wop and rock & roll, 1960’s psychedelia and folk rock, early 1970’s prog rock, punk, post punk, electronic music and soundtrack music. So there you have it, but for me this is solid psychedelia to its core, and somehow, they manage to make even lengthy numbers sound like pop songs.

It is not possible to listen to this and not wonder that music of this depth is still being made nearly 60 years after its heyday as this is sheer delight, bright and full of colours even when the words have a darker side. One can imagine SHS being feted at UFO if only that was still around and being invited to headline all night gigs and happenings, while hot wax projections morphed over the band and the audience slightly swayed in their own dream (which may, or may not, have had something to do with acid). Listening to this on headphones one is transported in time and space, with a shimmering of reality, as one understands the fragility of what is happening in our ears and that is where we want to be, so we are afraid of breaking that spell.

Michael Bailey (bass guitar), Nathan Hall (lead vocals, backing vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, electronics, sound effects), Paul Jones (6-string and 12-string electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin), Dylan Line (keyboards, electronics, sound effects, some backing vocals) and Frank Naughton (keyboards, sound effects, some backing vocals, and all drums) have created a very special artistic piece indeed. Frank has then taken all the elements of the rough gem and curated it so it shines brightly like a star in the midst of dull pop banality, beckoning all would hear to come and discover just what a Welsh band are continuing to achieve away from the spotlight. This is a truly wonderful album, and all praise to FdeM for giving it the treatment it deserves. 

Kev Rowland, June 2026

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