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The Discovery Of A World Inside The Moone

As far as I know this is the only album in my collection named after a 17th-Century treatise on speculative astronomy: specifically John Wilkins' The Discovery of a World in the Moone: or, A Discourse Tending to Prove that 'tis probable there may be another habitable World in that Planet (London, 1638). It's not at all obvious to me why the band chose that title: some of the songs' lyrics hint at otherworldly shenanigans, but I don't recall the moon being mentioned anywhere in them. 

My belated exploration of the œuvre of the Elephant 6 artists had led me to The Apples in stereo ca. 2004. I bought Tone Soul Evolution (1997) which I enjoyed, and then Her Wallpaper Reverie (1999) and Velocity of Sound (2002 - thereby skipping over The Discovery...) neither of which held as much appeal for me, so my exploration of their catalogue stalled at that point. Only a few years ago did I return to their music, discovering that I very much enjoyed The Discovery..., and outright loved their 2007 album New Magnetic Wonder.

I suppose one could call it subtly psychedelic retro pop music. Beatles and Beach Boys influences are obvious, with a dash of added Motownesque flavouring. The production, courtesy of main man Robert Schneider, is clean and vivid. Drummer Hilarie Sidney wrote (and sang on) two numbers, the remainder being Schneider's handiwork. My favourite tracks include the opening three: 'Go', 'The Rainbow' & 'Stream Running Over' and, further along the running order, 'Allright/Not Quite' & 'The Bird That You Can’t See'. If it weren't for a couple of weaker tracks, this would be an outstanding album, rather than just a very good one.

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