Various Artists – Brown Acid: The Twenty-First Trip
Various Artists – Brown Acid: The Twenty-First Trip
RidingEasy Records
Release date: 31/10/2026
Review by Alun Jones
7.5/10
Verily, pilgrims, ‘tis time for another feast of forgotten Rock’n’Roll fun, curated by the esteemed veterans at RidingEasy Records. This is the twenty-first edition of their Brown Acid series (in case you didn’t read the headline) – a series that continues to run and run. As with previous albums, herein lie ten hard rock songs that, despite their brilliance, never blossomed into the classics they could-a (should-a) been. The RidiingEasy boffins have dug ‘em up and are now re-presenting these tracks for our shared enjoyment.
There’s a wide range of styles on display this time round, probably more so than usual. We get things rolling with Opus Est and ‘Maggie Johnsons’, a short and furious proto punk number that has some ‘Communication Breakdown’ in its DNA. A brief but great way to start. Freedom North feature some very welcome female vocals on their song ‘Losing You’, a thumping psychedelic rocker with a deadly lead guitar. ‘Friendly Stranger’ by Accents has a galloping rhythm, fuzzy guitar and brash organ that resembles Steppenwolf.
And what’s this? The Rolling Stones on a Brown Acid comp?? No, it’s Brother Love with ‘Rock N’ Roll Band’ – though that fuzzy riff sounds very like a certain legendary song by Mick, Keith and the other three. Still, it’s a fun tune with decent lyrics and a catchy chorus. Side One rounds out with ‘Bike Writer’ by River Styx, a solid, fast-paced acid rock song with squealing lead.
Some nice wah-wah warms up Side Two, and we’re off again, this time with Maxx. Their song ‘200 Years’ has a Stooges-like groove. Pump are next, and despite that terrible band name, their ‘Kinda Like’ is a highlight of this collection – featuring more skronky organ and fierce guitar. 29.9 (much better band name) then unleash their version of ‘You Got Me Floating’, which, despite being an authentic rendition, is still only a cover of a Hendrix tune that most people forget.
Apparently, there was once a band called Wakefield, if you can believe that. I can, ‘cos their song ‘Here I Am’ is on this compilation. These guys seem to have Prog aspirations, with time changes and different sections, finishing with a glorious, melodic pop sing-along for the last minute and a half. But that’s not all folks – our last track is the psyche swamp blues of ‘Lazy River Blues’ by Peacepipe – a melancholy, sinister sail down the bayou.
Volume Twenty-One of Brown Acid is another solid collection. Not all the songs work, but they’re honestly all worthwhile – ‘Rock N’ Roll Band’ seems like a blatant rip off at first, but develops its own charm and style. I felt a little shortchanged with a cover being included, but the overall quality doesn’t really suffer. There’s still tons of acid-roasted, psychedelic fuzz on offer, and more variety than we’ve had previously.
Next time, remind me to tell you the real story behind why the cover of “Beggars Banquet” was banned. Clue: Mick still won’t speak to me, and every Christmas, Keith sends me a gold toilet brush.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Opus Est – Maggie Johnsons
02. Freedom North – Losing You
03. Accents – Friendly Stranger
04. Brother Love – Rock N Roll Band
05. River Styx – Bike Writer
06. MAXX – 200 Years
07. Pump – Kinda Like
08. 29.9 – You Got Me Floatin’
09. Wakefield – Here I Am
10. Peacepipe – Lazy River Blues
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