THE MYSTREATED "Looking Right Through" 1994 + "Never Question Why" - 7"/45rpm 1994 + "She's Gone" - 7"/45rpm 1994 + "Don't Do That" - 7"/45rpm 1995

By 1994, the Mystreated had progressed from a nascent folk-rock combo into an altogether deeper unit...

...The addition of Sean Thomas's 12-string pyschedelicized fuzztone ragas and vocals on his heavily Music Machine-inspired numbers on Looking Right Through carried on the purism of 10 Boss Cuts, but at the same time they carried a more varied approach to songwriting. A variety of influences can be picked out -- the Grassroots ("You're Not Alone"), the Beatles via Roky Erickson ("A Just Reflection"), the Monkees ("Looking Right Through"), Mouse & the Traps ("Don't Be Led") -- along with a firm grasp of equal parts Love, circa "Paint It Black" Stones, the philosophical lyricism of the Golden Dawn, and obscure fuzzy garage bands. However, many influences were worn on sleeves; Looking Right Through is a thoroughly riveting and energetic album that flows, peaks, and pertains everything one would expect from the best U.S. garage albums recorded in early 1967. This collection of fuzztone-dominated punk, folk-rock, psychedelia, and ballads hangs together incredibly well. ~ Jon 'Mojo' Mills, All Music Guide

traxfromwax:
1. i won't pay the price 2. flowering seeds 3. gemini again 4. it means nothing 5. situations un-wanted 6. looking right through 7. you're not alone 8. in my dreams 9. a just reflection 10. the widow's son 11. tyme is passing 12. don't be led 13. sacred stone
…originally served by Gyro1966...

"Never Question Why" - 7"/45rpm 1994

…The following year, lead guitarist Dom Bennet left to go to college and was replaced by Sean Thomas, who had previously played in Bristol mod revival band the Reaction. With this new lineup, after a year of playing as a three-piece, the band entered the vintage Toe-Rag studio in East London in early 1994 to record Looking Right Through for the English/German label Twist… (to be continued)

traxfromwax:
01 never question why 02 take a look in the mirror

"She's Gone" - 7"/45rpm 1994

…This album, produced by Toe-Rag owner Liam Watson, had a far cleaner sound and saw a wider array of moods and tempos approached. It even featured a sitar, and began a flirtation with psychedelia that the band would continue until their demise. Gentler folk-rock influences could also be heard. By the middle of 1994, a number of European tours were undertaken, with a proportionate fan base forming in Germany. The end of the year even saw them recording a session for national radio (BBC Radio 1), which was later released as an EP on Twist. After such success for an underground garage band, Twist issued the follow-up album with a gatefold sleeve and insert… (to be continued)

traxfromwax:
01 She's Gone 02 Senses Deceiving Me 03 As Time Goes By

"Don't Do That" - 7"/45rpm 1995

…Again produced by Liam Watson at Toe-Rag, Ever Questioning Why took the psychedelic influences of The Thirteenth Floor Elevators and Golden Dawn to new heights, dealing with spiritual subject matter, and displayed a newfound maturity in songwriting and playing. Sean Thomas left in early 1996 due to band politics and was replaced by original guitarist Dom Bennet, who had returned from college. A 10" mini-album was soon recorded by this reshuffle, and once again showed a change in style. This outing was almost a return to the more melodic folk-rock motives explored a few years before, and featured plenty of 12-string guitar. By 1997, the music climate had changed drastically, and bands that weren't so dissimilar from the shimmering, guitar-based style of the Mystreated were entering the charts… (to be continued)

traxfromwax:
01 Don't Do That 02 I Try So Hard