Hallucinogen – The Lone Deranger

I might consider this Simon Posford's magnum opus, I wonder if he would think the same (I know he considers the Deranger track as one of his best productions ever). I somewhat disagree with DoctorG that this is a completely different album than Twisted considering the evolution that can be heard within that very album. On Twisted, yes, the first half is more open, brooding, and deep driving goa trance whereas the second half is much more highly active psychedelic fuckery. The Lone Deranger is basically a more intense continuation of that back half of Twisted--most of which, I believe, was recorded later than the first half anyway. Also, I can't seem to recall any use of odd time signatures on this album, I believe it is entirely in 4/4. He's probably thinking of the intro to Horrorgram, where the placement of the kick drum and other elements is shifted to create a bit of a rhythmic illusion, a common trick in goa trance that Posford seemed to really like. He eventually did play with weird time signatures, but not until Are You Shpongled, as far as I know/.

By this point Posford seems to be less influenced or reeled in by collaborators like Graham Wood or Nick Barber or Olli Wisdom, who tended to root his insane psychedelic ideas to strong central bass grooves like Wood, or charged acid motifs like Barber. This time it's like he cut himself loose in the studio to make an album only he could make. The only guest here is Dick Trevor, who is one of the few producers at that time who could conjure bizarre heffalumpesque imagery like Posford.

I'm not sure how effective this could possibly be as a dance album. I used to rock out to Trancespotter some, but generally speaking I think the classic TIP tracks with Posford are better suited for a dance floor. I also wouldn't advise someone to listen to this on LSD or any other psychedelic/dissociative unless they are a veteran psychonaut and well-adjusted person. It's extremely potent, busy, and maximalist psychedelia drenched in hugely excessive effects, so I enjoy listening by myself at home when my imagination is in the right place to follow along. When I'm "there" it's really amazing.

Not a whole lot of people in trance music at that time were exacting psychedelia so intense. I think if you are new to this genre and starting with Hallucinogen, then you should also check out Green Nuns Of The Revolution - Rock Bitch Mafia, Psychopod - Headlines, and Texas Faggott - Petomans Peflett if this Syd Barrett colored psytrance appeals to you.

anybody has this? I was wandering if the glitter affects the sound quality.

I don't understand why the LP version is 6:40 long, and the CD version is 6:22 long??

The second album from the genius behind "Twisted", probably the greatest Goa trance album so far. This is a different album. Not nearly as transcendental or as heavy, this is the more bizarre and gabba side of psychedelia where you are as likely to gibber in giggling idiocy as see Mount Kailash glowing in the far distance. Posford mixes time signatures and styles constantly, so that the tracks do not stay still for any length of time. This is fun, but sometimes it is also irritating if you are not in the mood for a whacky roller coaster. There are even celtic "knees up" moments, as in the final track for instance, that sound like a pixie circle dance and are either hilarious or ridiculous, depending on your state of mind. I could go into more detail, but suffice it to say that whilst this is a very creative record, like many experiments some hit and some miss. So, of course, this is a good and intriguing album bursting with ideas. However, for me "Twisted" is the great album. ~*~
P. S. - special mention should be made of the fantastic cover art.

Could have been called Twisted II, as its right up there with its antecessor, both in of quality and mood. Definitely a classic, side by side with Dragon Tales, Beyond the Infinite and We Created our Own Happiness.

The Lone Deranger is, in my opinion, one of Psytrance's most representative albums, THIS IS NOT GOA TRANCE. It has a very different environment to Goa, its melodies and sounds can resemble the Classical Mushroom of Infected Mushroom or the Dragon Tales of KoxBox. It's true that it can contain some element or theme of Goa, since his previous album Twisted is a great mix, but this one, definitely is Psytrance

This album is a sharp drop off in quality from Twisted. I like the first two tracks, but the rest of the album? Not so much. 2/5.

Aside from Classical Mushroom, this is proly the strongest psytrance album I've ever laid my ears on. It's so sick yet so energetic at the same time I feel like an orgasm was on its way when I first listened to this shit. If any of my classmates are willing to try these I bet it'd blow their minds within seconds.

5/5 IMO, Simon Posford at the top of his game.

"There is an area of the mind that could be called unsane, beyond sanity, and yet not insane. Think of a circle with a fine split in it. At one end there's insanity. You go around the circle to sanity, and on the other end of the circle, close to insanity, but not insanity, is unsanity."

like everyone else, i believe the same thing , this is one of the most amazing goa-psy albums ever created!!
posford is a genius,all the tunes are amazing in structure, melodies and basses.
all the album is a masterpiece but for my the real gold is Jiggle Of The Sphinx, just listen this tune, when is raining, dance sorrounded the nature!!! thats is a incredible experience for everyone! thank you Simon.

Old is Gold - literally in this case! Limited to 1000 copies, the Gold edition makes this album feel even more special, even if only superficially. There are absolutely no differences in the booklet or artwork (except for the printing being very slightly brighter on the limited edition booklet. I ended up buying this after losing a Case Logic last year with my regular copy in it, so I still have the empty case & booklet from the old CD to compare. The CD is gold in colour with the same artwork.

I don't think a review of the actual music is really required seeing as there are several on the master release. In short, a Goa trance masterpiece here. Rating: 10/5