Fantastic UK psychedelic pop progressive act who really took the "Sgt. Pepper"'s aura to another dimension. "Restless Night" was originally issued on the Penny Farthing label in 1970 and is a wonderful album full of 70's era - pop/psych themes and musical feelings. OCTOPUS blend superb fuzz guitar and organ work all wrapped up with some great lead vocals. This magical little album has been re-issued by "See for Miles" on CD with extra tracks off of their singles (also has been re-mastered). This album also does carry some very unique musical moments and is not in anyway a 100% carbon copy of the Beatles/Sgt Pepper, but realistically does come from the same genre... The parallels are there. The best tune IMHO on the album is the last one "Tide" which is also the longest (5:40) as it allows the instruments to really expand out a bit and gives a bit of symphonia to this psychedelic folk/prog masterpiece. IMHO this is an essential album. OCTOPUS's "Restless Night" is a masterpiece...
Songs / Tracks Listing
1. The River (4:26)
2. Summer (3:05)
3. Council Plans (3:37)
4. Restless Night (4:02)
5. Thief (3:38)
6. Queen and the Pauper (3:39)
7. I Say (1:54)
8. Johns' Rock (2:40)
9. Rainchild (3:05)
10. Tide (5:37)
Total Time: 35:44
+ 4 Bonus Tracks on GTR:
11. Laugh At The Poor Man (3:14)
12. Girlfriend (2:54)
13. The River - single version (3:23)
14. Thief - single version (3:37)
Total Time: 48:52
Originally named The CORTINAS, this mid-60's Hatfield quartet was discovered by The TROGGS' soon-to-be bassist Tony Murray and Nigel Olssen, destined to be Elton JOHN's regular drummer. It is Murray who eventually introduced the band to producer Larry Page, The TROGG's manager, and by 1968 OCTOPUS had earned a support spot to a promising young band called YES. They also got booked into the Marquee Club, toured Europe, shared the stage with HUMBLE PIE and STATUS QUO among others, and in 1970 released a first-rate pop album titled "Restless Night"; unfortunately, however, it failed to attract much enthusiasm outside their hometown. They stuck together for a while and then decided to split up in 1972. Their keyboard player John Cook later joined MUNGO GERRY whereas bassist Nigel Griggs and drummer Malcolm Green, both moving to Australia, eventually became members of SPLIT ENZ.
Thanks to PSYCHSPANIOLOS and CR.
http://rapidshare.com/files/357306868/Octopus.rar
