Play Some New Dept. - Jupiter Affect

The Jupiter Effect was a 1974 bestseller predicting colossal earthshaking disasters that never transpired; a neat trick, because nobody could ask for their money back either way. Jupiter Affect (in planetary synchrony with another post-Paisley Underground band Viva Saturn) [FoamFeatured® antecedently - Ed.] was a rock group fronted by Michael Quercio, whose strange toybox genius inspired The Three O'Clock, and to a lesser degree, Permanent Green Light, a band that fell a little short of its perfect name.

Apparently a Kick Arse™ live act, they made three records in five years, with Quercio later fronting a reformed O'Clocks to little effect. For those disappointed by Vermillion, the Three's last album, Jupiter Affect's music is a more logical evolution of the sound, although many fans didn't see it that way, disliking the harder edge.

I was a late convert, believing that the Paisley Underground bands had enjoyed their (brilliant) day in the sun. But these two albums and debut e.p. are swell, the strengths clarifying after repeat plays, and deserve better than being considered also-rans. Quercio's voice is a taste acquired by too few, and its setting here in honed psychedelic pop-rock is weirdly affective.

This post made possible by Henry's Bendy Wendy House™ of Knuckleface, MN.