Marshmallow Overcoat - The Very Best Of FLAC

The Marshmallow Overcoat took their name from a comment Levon Helm once made years ago when talking about why The Band had chosen their name. The Marshmallow Overcoat also seem to have lifted a page out of the 13th Floor Elevators’ playbook, delivering rather short songs in the garage genre ... certainly hoping to hit the garage psych genre. Actually they miss the garage psych label, coming off more like the Standells, though without the steady even flow, or the musical drama and magic to hold your attention. Honestly, their adventurous covers of The Beatles “Tomorrow Never Knows” or The Doors “You’re Lost Little Girl,” are perhaps the worst I have ever heard ... they then go on to cover the Love classic “A House Is Not A Motel,” equally as badly.

The band is fronted by Timothy Gassen, who took his persona Randy Love from Randy California of the band Spirit, and of course his last name from the group Love. Determined to make their mark alongside of those such as Lucky 7 and The Chesterfield Kings, who were part of the garage, paisley, and neo-psychedelic wave that was sweeping across the world in the mid 80’s they got themselves noticed, however, they came across very much as a second tiered band in a genre that went nearly unnoticed, with fans turning to the more dreamy music of bands such as The Church, The House of Love, and The Darkside. It’s no secret that Mr. Love fancied himself with the vocal chops of Jim Morrison, and the songs of Marshmallow Overcoat were built around his voice. That being said, he lacked the dynamic range or honesty of Morrison, and perhaps even an honesty for music itself, as each song was built around a formula where Randy Love jumps in feet first from almost the first note.

All that being said, please do not disregard this outing or leave it shelved unnoticed and unplayed. There are moments here that are most interesting, and a direct line can be traced from this band to the likes of The Allah La’s and their brand of laid back California psychedelic sounds. If these guys had come out during the heyday of the mid 60’s they may have sparked more interest, and if one listens with ears from that time, you will find them a pleasant diversion to say the least.

Review by Jenell Kesler