90s Whatever: Licorice Roots

One of my favorite 90s records and great “lost album” is Licorice Root Orchestra by Raymond Listen.

In 1993, the Edward Moyse fronted Newark Delaware band released that album on Shimmy Disc Records. Unfortunately, the quirky record label that released albums by acts like King Missile, Daniel Johnston and Ween among many others was going out of business. So did the band Raymond Listen.

I thought of the album often. I remember thinking of them during the MySpace days. There wasn’t a ton of info but of course, these days there’s a bit more. They even have a rather reverential Allmusic profile.

What had happened after the band broke up, was Moyse reformed them after a brief hiatus, renamed them the Licorice Roots and released Melodeon in 1997. Albums followed in 2001, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. These last four self released albums are available on streaming services.

Neutral Milk Hotel references pop on the few band reviews I have seen. I definitely sense some Marc Bolan/ T Rex but the Flaming Lips psychedelica is certainly there. Articles on the band are scattered over the years, but fun to read as most everyone who heard them fell in love with them.

If there is any criticism it’s the more recent stuff does sort of blend in together. One critic blamed Moyse’s distinct vision. But it’s also worth making note of Allmusic’s biography- that the band predates NMH, Olivia Tremor Control and Apples in Stereo

 

1993 - Shimmy Disc