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.

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

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.

Can't quite figure how come this album got only 2 reviews....

A masterpiece, Must have, must listen, all legendry album.
every single track is extremely good. you can listen to it separately or in one piece. it doesn't matter. it's still be great. this album is definitely in my favorite elctronic albums list.

Imagine: Isolated Ocean beach, clear sky, warm sun, the waves gently touching the sand, lying down on the warm sand, getting relaxed, powerfull high quality headphones on your ears, powerfull mp3 player, closing your eyes, and this album playing as you fall into deep and peaceful hypnotic state of mind.
letting yourself go*........... EPIC.

*I have listend to this album about 20 times in that exact way..

Not much I can say really, except that this CD is one of the best Goatrance albums ever produced!!

A defining album for the genre, Posford once again crafts together a tryptamine-drenched sonic concoction with as much detail and precision as a modern Forumla 1 team (maybe more). The basslines are generally fast and pumping while Posford's use of the synthesizers and effects I have yet to see sured. Somehow he manages to put it all (and there is alot of it) together so perfectly!

Surprising to see just one other review for this truly EPIC album! A definite MUST HAVE!

Its shocking to see no comments on this legendary release! After Hallucinogen's ground breaking debut in 1995 with the much celebrated Twisted, Simon Posford had the envious task of following up on a well loved and accepted classic. He goes about it with ease, crafting new structures of melody, expanding the classical Hallucinogen soundscapes to more deep and pounding levels.

Starting from with the well known LSD sanity-unsanity sample we slowly delve into the Demented world of Hallucinogen! Squelching acid lines meet the rolling rhythms from Twisted as sounds pop in out, creating, leading and ultimately defining the tunes. Trancespotter and Snarling being perfect examples. Horrorgram adds percussive elements to the stomping mix. Gamma Goblins features seriously twisted levels of sonic manipulation which are intense yet melodic.

The Lone Deranger is a worthy follow up to Twisted and Simon Posford has once again pushed the levels of Psytrance in a new direction by taking the old-school Goa melodies and adding the Psy influenced tech vibes. All of the tracks on this album are gold, just as Twisted. It stands the test of time and gives today's commercial sounding "psy-trance" a run for their money, 10 years after being released! In my opinion that's what defines a classic, It sounds just as good as the day I first heard it.

A must have for anyone into Goa, Psy-trance.