A-Austr: A Confusing Psych

Only the most adept bands can cobble together a vast array of influence, include each in its music and still yield some end product that’s not only sensible, but also holds value.

A-Austr is one of those bands.

The fact that the band isn’t all that well known isn’t surprising. The group, formed by Holy Ground Records honcho Bill Nelson, didn’t perform outside of its studio setting. But being comprised of some wacked out commune members made those sessions full of musical exploration if not innovation.

By the time that the group’s lone album - Musics from Holyground – was recorded it was the beginning of the ‘70s and in the psych genre, by that time, there really wasn’t too much new ground to cover. That’s not a slight against the group, just the endless array of ensembles working in the genre. That’s how it goes.

Even with that, though, A-Austr (who took its name from the first volume of some encyclopedia that was laying around) crafted a disc with a lyrical obsession while still working through disparate sub-genres of psych.

Being British, there were undoubtedly endless numbers of King Arthur styled myths around A-Austr during member’s formative years – some obviously Grail obsessed. That goblet isn’t the only thing discussed, or mentioned in song titles, but it shows up a number of times. The titles of some of the interludes make mention of the old tyme king and his quest: “Prelude To Change For Arthur” and “Change for Arthur.”

Apart from the weird dedication to Brit history, the band makes use of variegated sounds from the genre. For whatever reason, though, the opening few songs – “Bird” and “Judy” – don’t aptly represent some of what follows. “Mini,” the next track, is the abrupt switch that A-Austr’s album needed to move it away from Beatles’ territory and into a more interesting realm of rock.

The composition comes off as the middle ground between Chuck Berry and the Flaming Groovies. It should summon hot rods and motorcycle races. The forced nonsensical croon that takes over the track should be excused. It fits, kinda, even if the singing doesn’t enhance the track any.

“It’s Alright,” with its interesting tempo shifts, doesn’t hold too much for the rock crowd and sounds as if it could have come out of the folk rock thing that happened in Cali a few years prior. The musicianship is immaculate. But even if that wasn’t the case the soul of “What Did You Go” makes things interesting and simultaneously recalls Xhol Caravan, which is surprising given the rest of the disc.

Musics from Holyground doesn’t make A-Austr the most important psych band that no one’s heard of. It does make them in weird caveat in the genre that includes enough myth and mystery about the band as to make it an enticing listen. You probably don’t need to rush out and get it – I’m sure even the re-pressings carry a heft tag. Just keep your eyes open and it’ll pop up sooner or latter. I mean, I found it.