Arcadium: Breath Awhile 1969

 

ARCADIUM were a late 60's psychedelic band, founded in London, UK in 1969, fronted by songwriter, 12-string guitarist and lead vocalist Miguel Sergides. Sergides was joined by Graham Best

on bass and vocals, Allan Ellwood on organ and vocals, John Albert Parker on drums and Robert Ellwood on lead guitar and vocals. Like many, they played the clubs until a small label by the name of Middle Earth - who released a whopping total of five albums - finally approached them. In 1969, "Breathe Awhile" was issued on an LP, the only album the band ever recorded. It has lately been reissued in cd format by German label Akarma.
                                  

This is a true gem of late 1960's acid rock, presenting a very depressed and sincere vision holding both composed and improvised themes. Miguel Sergides is truly the heart of this band. His skillful songwriting talents shine in the constructed parts of this record, passionate voice being strong and

creating powerful emotional load. Other dominant elements of the music are strong organ keyboards and guitars weaving beautiful webs of harmonies over it, and also releasing fiery distorted solos. Vanilla Fudge's "Renaissance" album is stylistically a close comparison with this record. Though Arcadium's music is celestial and very trippy, the band found inspiration for their lyrics from themes of the secular world, the quest of being a good human being, a man, a lover.
                     

ARCADIUM's ominous, cathedral-like organ, distorted guitar and anguished vocals are clearly derivative of bands such as the DOORS, IRON BUTTERFLY and VANILLA FUDGE - very much in the 'downer-heavy' school of the genre that was popular at the time. Their album is something of a bad-

trip soundtrack that relies on minor-key melodies, ghostly harmonies and anguished vocals. What with all its flaws - bad production, sloppy vocals and doomesday atmospherics - its historical significance is immense. The music's intensity and sense of urgency, the blazing acid-drenched guitars, the tortured vocals and heavy nightmarish sounds all perfectly convey the late 60's atmosphere. Fans of heavy psychedelia in search of a genuine dose of 60's nostalgia will love this band. Maybe this is THE best psych/prog album ever.
                   

"Breathe Awhile" is nothing short of an amazing prog/psych album. Remember this is 1969, meaning that of course, they hadn't left their psychedelic roots behind. The performance is all real solid, although the vocals are a bit sloppy, nothing that really bothers you. "Walk on the Bad Side" is a song that starts off not on a great note, it actually sucked at the beginning (a little too pop-like), but I just loved how this song just got better and better as it progresses! "Woman of a Thousand Years" is not to be confused

with the Danny Kirwan-penned FLEETWOOD MAC song by the same name (besides, Future Games didn't come out until 1971, two years later), this is a totally different song. The closing song, "Birth, Life and Death" just absolutely blew me away! This, and the other lenghty epic, the opening "I'm On My Way" just shows what was great in the late '60s/early '70s prog/psych scene. Of course, given the era this was in, don't expect polished and sophisticated symphonic prog in the YES and ELP vein. But for those who enjoy early prog/psych, I can highly recommend this album.
                      

Arcadium – Breathe Awhile
Label: Belle Antique – MAR 96244, Green Tree Records – GTR - 002
Series: Euro-Rock Masterpiece On CD – none
Format: CD, Album, Reissue Jun 25, 1996
Country: Japan
Released: 1069
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock, Prog Rock

TRACKS

               

01. I'm On My Way    11:52
02. Poor Lady    3:58
03. Walk On The Bad Side    7:33
04. Woman Of A Thousand Years    3:37
05. Change Me    4:48
06. It Takes A Woman    3:53
07. Birth, Life And Death    10:18

ADDITIONAL TRACKS        

                    

  
08. Sing My Song    4:13
09. Riding Alone    2:47
                  

LINE - UP

                        

Bass, Vocals – Graham Best
Drums – John Albert Parker
Guitar [12-string], Vocals [Lead] – Miguel Sergides
Guitar [Lead], Vocals – Robert Ellwood
Organ, Vocals – Allan Ellwood
Written-By – Miguel Sergides

NOTES

The Green Tree Records version, imported to Japan by Marquee.

Flac Size: 353 MB