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LP
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OSR 030LP
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Out-Sider presents the first legit reissue of There's a War On by The Rainbow Press, a cool US '68 psychedelic concept album with all the right moves: solid songwriting, refreshing harmonies, studio effects, organ, fuzz guitar, electric piano, sunshine/baroque touches -- think The Rainy Daze, Strawberry Alarm Clock, The Doors. The Rainbow Press evolved from The Continental Divide, a college band from New York containing members from two previous British invasion groups: The Group and The Specs. They were Bill Yergin on drums, Dave Troup on bass, Larry Milton on electric piano and 12-string guitar, Marc Ellis on guitar, Charlie Osborne on organ, and Joe Groff on vocals. All the members sang vocal harmonies and the twin electric piano/organ action gave the band an unusual and cool sound. In 1968, Audio Fidelity approached them and a contract was secured. The band changed their name to the more groovy-sounding The Rainbow Press and sessions for their first album started at Radio City in New York. There's a War On saw the light in 1968 on the Mr. G label (the "hip" branch of Audio Fidelity). It's hard to believe this perfectly recorded psychedelic beauty was made by college students! Remastered sound; includes insert with liner notes telling the band's story for the first time.
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CD
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RR 094CD
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"For an album that's becoming a minor collectable, remarkably little is known about Rainbow Press, other than the band recorded two late '60s albums (There's A War On - Mr G 9003 and Sunday Funnies - Mr G 9004) for the mysterious Mr G label. The album itself is excellent late '60s soft rock with more than just a touch of psychedelia about it. The ten well-crafted songs are all original, and are delivered smoothly by a tight 6-piece band dominated by Groff's superb vocals. The album's name and the eponymous track are as close as we get to political posturing, which is a great relief as the lack of prosletising let's the strength of the song writing and the band's performance shine through. There are loads of tight vocal harmonies, and plenty of fuzz guitar liberally dispensed throughout this polished and very enjoyable record."
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