Gong

2 0 3 2
$23.49
I'm a casual fan of Gong, and often come back to their unique style of progressive rock, best captured from 1971's Camembaert Electrique through 1974's You (the last in a trilogy of fine albums). For the uninitiated: Gong split their music between short, pithy, angular but amazingly catchy songs (go sample "Pot Head Pixies" or "Eat the Phone Book" from the trilogy albums) on the one hand, and longer, spaced out prog rock grooves on the other (think Soft Machine's Third, but with more humor). When I heard that much of the original trilogy band had reconvened, after several hit-or-miss reunions and offshoots over the last 20 years, to add to the series, I was immediately intrigued. When I listened to the samples and saw that the MP3 album was only $6.99, I was sold. If you like classic Gong you should get this immediately. Most of these tunes tend toward the shorter, pithy, angular, but amazingly catchy side, though there is some nice jamming on "Portal" and the middle of several other tracks, featuring the great Steve Hillage's guitar work. They really SOUND like Gong, which is amazing. On a few tunes it is like the last 34 years never happened. The sound, of course, is updated, and there is a bit more funk to the rhythms, even some prog rapping from Daevid Allen (who is now 71 (!!!!) if you can believe it, not to mention that Gilli Smyth is 76 (double !!!)). Daevid and Gilli sound ageless, it is just impossible to believe the lady with the sexy space whisper is 76! The updating sounds natural to me, not grating, and the whole album has in spades a quality that almost NO new rock by indie/alternative bands has: FUN. Yeah, rock is supposed to be fun, at least sometimes (hello Radiohead? hello Grizzly Bear?). This record rocks hard and is great fun to listen too, and most importantly, has memorable tunes that will stick in your head. What a blast and what a testament to the unique genius of Daevid Allen and his friends from the planet Gong. At this price, why have you not hit the "1-click" button yet? Enjoy, Gongsters!

Flying Teapot (Radio Gnome Invisible, Pt. 1)
$12.98
It's a perfect mystery... why the original version of this psych-rock classic doesn't exist on CD. Seek out the 1972 Virgin Records vinyl copy if you can; it is greatly superior to this version.

Woodstock Zen Table Gong
$49.99
Peacefully positioned in an antiqued copper finish frame, this handcrafted brass gong is ideal for your personal meditation experience. Simply strike the Zen Table Gong with its included mallet to bring strength and happiness into your day. Height: 12.5 inches. Width: 9.25 inches. Gong diameter: 6 inches.

Angel's Egg (Radio Gnome Invisible, Pt. 2)
$9.93
I'm shocked these guys weren't more popular (maybe they were I'm just too young to know). Catchy tunes performed with trippy, ethereal instrumentation and vocals. Reminds me a bit of early 70's Bowie at times, but more jazzy/jammy and sometimes dark. For me this was the band's studio pinnacle. Their live recordings from this period of the band are also outstanding.