LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Octopuss sole 1969 long-player Restless Night is something of a treasure among 60s Brit-psych fans due to its mixture of proto-progressive riffs, accomplished pop tunes and sparkling Beatlesque flourishes. The band evolved out of the thriving Hertfordshire beat scene that also gave us The Zombies, The Gods and those other cult pop-psych heroes Forever Amber. Octopus music was coloured by the use of keyboards and layered vocal harmonies in much the same way. As The Cortinas they enjoyed several years of local success which culminated in the 1968 CBS single "Phoebes Flower Shop". The single was pure pop confectionery and betrayed little of the bands tight, melodic brand of rock.
By the time theyd been signed to Larry Pages Penny Farthing label in 1969, their sound had expanded to encompass the burgenoning progressive scene, the dawn of the solo troubadour and the omnipresent influence of The Beatles, illustrated perfectly by their live sets of the period which included songs by Yes, Neil Young, Cat Stevens and even note-for-note renditions of "I Am The Walrus" and "Baby, Youre A Rich Man"! The first single and album opener "The River" is a tough dance floor groover complete with lysergic fuzz guitar and has appeared on several compilations while the album cover art is an eye-opening classic of the "so bad its good" school. Much to the bands horror, they discovered that Page had released a bastardised version of the album which omitted two of the original tracks and added the b-side of the single. Previous re-issues of the album have, not surprisingly, stuck to the erroneous tracklist but here at Rev-Ola we always strive to give you more. And you love it dont you, you little beauties?
So here it is pop pickers, for the first time EVER, the original version of the Octopus album as the band intended... containing two previously unheard (and uniformly excellent) tunes plus the usual plethora of previously unreleased bonus tracks, single sides, demos and even a mind-blowing contemporary live recording of Griegs "Peer Gynt Suite"! You better believe it daddio! Our edition also features new and extensive liner notes telling the full-on story of Octopus and the last days of The Cortinas as they morphed from provincial beat favourites into psychedelic warriors. Perfect listening for those dreamy Autumn nights... The latest addition to our blossoming catalogue of classic British pop-psych! Remastered, expanded and intensified in the usual Rev-Ola style! Features the original 11-track version of the album, released for the first time in any format EVER! Adds a ton of bonus tracks including singles, unreleased demos and even a stunning 1969 live recording! Features in-depth liner notes and brand new band interviews by noted psych nutter Stefan Granados! Comes wrapped in huge wallpaper-sized poster adorned with previously unseen photos of our heroes in their psychedelic finery and tight prog vests! A must for all fans of 60s pop, psych, prog and general good music everywhere!
Track listing:
The River
I Was So Young
Summer
Council Plans
Restless Night
Orchard Bloom
Thief
Queen And The Pauper
I Say
Johns Rock
Rainchild
Tide
Bonus tracks
Girlfriend
Laugh At The Poor Man
Sagittarius
In The Park
Phoebes Flower Shop
Too Much In Love
Call Me A Fool
Turning Night Into Day
I Am The Walrus (live)
Peer Gynt (live)