Make Yourself a Happening Machine: A Collection

by Plasticland

Overview

When considering the geographical origins of the paisley underground movement of the early '80s, the Midwest isn't the first place you would think of. During the West Coast uprising of bands like Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade, Thin White Rope, the Three O'Clock, and Green on Red, the Milwaukee-based Plasticland had already been knee-deep in psychedelia due, in part, to the rare record-collecting fetish of founding members Glenn Rehse (vocals, guitar, organ) and John Frankovic (bass). From the get-go, Plasticland bypassed the darker Velvet Underground influence that most bands of the era were paying lip service to. Their goal was to pursue a brighter, more melodic musical approach, thus avoiding pointless jamming behind walls of feedback when lacking inspiration. Instead, they embraced the sights and sounds of early British flower-power pop initiated 15 years earlier by such influences as Tomorrow, Pink Floyd with Syd Barrett, the Smoke, and the Creation. The 30 tracks on Make Yourself a Happening Machine: A Collection gather on CD for the first time the best from their albums, EPs, flexi-discs, and various compilations, some of it having been out of print for years. The sound quality here is uniformly excellent, as are the detailed liner notes by Nigel Cross. As is the case with the Cramps' timeless approach to rockabilly, Plasticland didn't simply ape retro pseudo-psychedelia; they are everlastingly there and you're along for the ride. Only complaint: leaving off "Elongations" and their admirable version of the Pretty Things' "Alexander." ~ Al Campbell

Product Details

Release Date:	10/25/2016
Label:	Wounded Bird
UPC:	0664140185029
Rank:	64581

Tracks

1. Make Yourself a Happening Machine
2. Office Skills
3. Color Appreciation
4. Too Many Fingers
5. Pop! Op Drops
6. Sections
7. Euphoric Trap Door Shoes
8. They Wore Sequined Masks
9. Magic Rocking Horse
10. Posing for Pictures
11. Her Decay
12. Wallflower
13. Some Ghost Ship Lollipop
14. Gloria Night (Knight)
15. Market Place of Zesty Zeal
16. The Gingerbread House
17. Flower Scene
18. Processes of the Silverness
19. Grassland of Reeds and Things
20. Go a Gogo Time
21. We Can't
22. It's a Dog's Life
23. Standing in a Room
24. A Change in You
25. The Bunny Bear
26. You Were Such a Bad Time
27. I'm Gonna Emphasize
28. The Mushroom Hill
29. Iris of the Waterfall
30. Craved Blue Memorandum

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Plasticland   Primary Artist
Twink   Spoken Word

Technical Credits

Twink   Narrator
Nigel Cross   Liner Notes
Glen Rehse   Composer
Victor Demichei   Composer
Dan Mullen   Composer
Rob McCuen   Composer
Glenn Rehse   Composer
John Frankovic   Composer
Tom Newman   Composer