SOFT HEARTED SCIENTISTS – THE PHANTOM OF CANTON (DL/ double album on CD and ltd. ed. 2 x CD– lots of variations with poster, lyric sheets, plectrum etc.) / (3 x LP) (2025/ 2026) (Fruits de Mer)

I already reviewed this album in 2025 but a 3 x LP set has been released with the addition of a sidelong ‘suite’ that picks up the themes of the original tracks and a side of instrumental mixes.

The above seems like the tip of the iceberg with a head spinning array of options on Bandcamp. This 16-track “psychedelic-fused concept album of sorts” deals with some serious subject matter and despite themes of alienation, identity loss and obsession is “upbeat and hopeful”. Apologies for the tardiness of the review as I lost my original notes. However, having been mightily impressed by this album’s predecessor “Waltz of the Weekend” it was no chore to dip back into the album one more time.

My first thoughts were how extraordinary it was that basic chord structures can produce such a charming musical creation as on the title track, described as a “stream of consciousness song” (a familiar ploy used by SHS) by the architects of the album, led by arranger and songwriter Nathan Hall. ‘Foxgloves Song’ is a waltz time love song while ‘Hello, Hello’ speaks of ‘dragonflies on patrol’ – very psychedelic! Apparently, this song is a distant cousin of The Byrds ‘Lady Friend’. Speaking of dragonflies, if I were to put one track on repeat it would be the 7 minutes of ‘Fly by Dragonfly’, seemingly influenced by a certain spaghetti western! ‘The Canyon Suite (Smile of the Sun Eyed Woman)’ is a countrified treat, all 11:50 of it, with a Byrds like four chord structure, a lysergic guitar hook, with bass Moog and sustained Hammond organ chords ghosting away at the end of an elongated hook as powerful as 10 CC’s ‘Feel the Benefit’. The lyric heavy ‘The Cloud Parade’ (also in Reprise form) has another notable Moog line and the suggestion is that this could be a distant cousin of mid 70s David Bowie this time with a psychedelicised ‘nursery rhyme’ choral hook and some nifty electronic sounds and synths. ‘The Laws of Physics’ has a saloon piano sound with synth and electronics, a cautionary “mirror, mirror on the wall” ditty described as 50s doo wop meets 60s psych.

Actually, the best way to find out what it’s all about is to head on over to Bandcamp where there is meticulous detail to help appreciate this wonderful album. This was a rare treat for me as I could concentrate on appreciating the music rather than having to write too much about it! On the whole “The Phantom of Canton” is the personification of redefined eclecticism in the wide range of musical style represented – there are 16 tags (no kidding!). As Nathan Hall says “even the darker songs are painted in bright colours”. Beware though: ‘Trapdoor in the Sky’ depicts the battle of an angel with the Devil. Enjoy!