Ever since 1170 and the murder of Thomas Becket (now Sainted) Canterbury has been an important centre of the Christian world, without which many an English student might not flinch at the mere mention of Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales or famous son Christopher Marlowe. Musically, Canterbury is arguably influenced by the importance of its Cathedral and has been birth place to the influential Classical Composer Thomas Tallis, as well as the current Master of Queen’s Music, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. However, trying to think of a band that is likely to appear on the pages of Grumpyrocker or even NME is a difficult task.

This, however, hasn’t daunted Syd Arthur who were founded and been on tour since 2006; although not permanently before anyone asks! The four-piece comprises Liam Magill (guitar/vocals), Raven Bush (violin), Joel Magill (bass) and Fred Rother (drums). Although for those who have looked further you will have uncovered the likes of Caravan and Soft Machine who are originally from Canterbury and it is that psychedelic rock influences that are reflected in the sound of Syd Arthur.

Ode to the Summer is Syd Arthur’s first release, although their extensive touring will have build up a fanbase already aware of the music that they have to offer. From the opening riff picked guitar opening the mind is thrown back to those heady days of the 1960s and 70s, but that isn’t to say that the music sounds dated. It instead feels like four musicians who are celebrating all that is eclectic and rewarding about, folk, rock, funk and psychedelia. Liam’s vocal opening of “I look to the sky, with sunken eyes” could have been written by any of the proponents of psychedelic music and is delivered in a style that is Liam’s own.

The eagle eyed viewer will have spotted Raven Bush in the list of musicians that make up Syd Arthur and yes that is Kate Bush’s nephew, yes the alt / progressive rock that could be a descriptor of Kate’s music can be heard in Syd Arthur’s debut single Ode to the Summer. However, do not let more famous family links detract it is better to ignore them and simply focus on the music. In fact just consider the name, is Syd a nod to that crazy diamond that was Syd Barrett? To be fair Syd Arthur aren’t what Pink Floyd could have become if acid hadn’t left them bereft of Syd Barrett, but for those seeking a celebration of all that psychedelic era offered then you could do a lot worse than seeking Syd Arthur out.

Reviewed by Jimbo Walsh.

Syd Arthur's debut single Ode to the Summer is out on 31 October 2011 and available to pre-order now (on limited green vinyl!)from Dawn Chorus Recording Company.