Vic Mars The Consumer Programme

A magnificent full length, building handsomely on it’s esteemed predecessor’s huge acclaim; more utterly wonderful, occasionally playful analogue synth soundtracks, soundbites and tips of the hat especially, to the revered BBC Radiophonic Workshop output from 1968 onwards.

The record also offers nods to the revered work of Conrad Schnitzler, Klaus Schulze and Edgar Froese yet sounds utterly new and contemporary; and you feel that a love of 1970s Childrens’ TV themes looms large during it’s creation also.

Initially from Hereford, VIC MARS’ early releases were at first predominantly net based download affairs, however Japanese imprint “Symbolic Interaction” stepped in to release the magnificent “Kanransha” set, which in turn led to the Clay Pipe full length. He freely admits to there not being any particular concept to the album as such, here- but does point to the final track “Astrogator” being a “nod to when my Dad took the family all over Germany in 1980 in a clapped out Hillman Avenger. Even going into East Germany, which even as a kid kid I could feel how weird/oppressive it was there, plus I had never seen guards etc with guns before!”

An absolute gem this one, in tasty reverse board sleeve and sure to go quick. A one time pressing of 500.