Torch of the Mystics

{{Infobox album

| name = Torch of the Mystics

| type = studio

| artist = Sun City Girls

| cover = Sun City Girls Torch of the Mystics.jpg

| alt =

| released = {{Start date|1990}}

| recorded = {{Start date|1988|7}}

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = {{flatlist|

| length = 37:48

| label = Majora
Tupelo (re-issue)

| producer = Sun City Girls

| prev_title = Horse Cock Phepner

| prev_year = 1987

| next_title = Dawn of the Devi

| next_year = 1991

}}

{{Album ratings

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1score = {{rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |first=Patrick |last=Foster |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=mw0000648058|pure_url=yes}}|title=Torch of the Mystics |website=Allmusic |accessdate=July 11, 2015}}

|rev2 = Pitchfork

|rev2score = 9.0/10{{Cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21175-torch-of-the-mystics/|title=Sun City Girls: Torch of the Mystics|website=Pitchfork}}

}}

Torch of the Mystics is the fourth studio album by American experimental rock band Sun City Girls.{{cite magazine |first1=Ira |last1=Robbins |first2=David |last2=Sprague |url=http://trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=sun_city_girls |title=Sun City Girls |magazine=Trouser Press |year=2007 |accessdate=July 11, 2015}} The 1990 LP cover released on Majora differs from the 1993 CD reissue by Tupelo.

Recording history

Most of the album was recorded on an 8-track at a home in Tempe, Arizona in 1988. The band took much of their inspiration from Alan Bishop's field recordings.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestranger.com/blogs/slog/2015/10/29/23071801/richard-bishop-reflects-on-sun-city-girls-reissued-classic-psych-rock-lp-torch-of-the-mystics|title=Richard Bishop Reflects on Sun City Girls' Reissued Classic Psych-Rock LP Torch of the Mystics|work=The Stranger|access-date=2018-05-11|language=en}}

Release and reception

Torch of the Mystics was originally issued by Majora Records solely on vinyl format in 1990. However, due to its compressed and tinny sounding production, the album was remastered and re-released by Tupelo Records in 1993.Sundell, Spencer.[http://www.suncitygirls.com/discography/TorchOfTheMystics.php "Torch of the Mystics"]. suncitygirls.com. Retrieved on March 17, 2010.

Noting its "swirling, psychedelic ethnic forgeries that will make Can fans renounce post-Landed Kraut Rock wax", Byron Coley wrote in Spin that the album "is easily the richest, lumpiest puddle of guh they've yet emitted."{{Cite web|url=http://www.suncitygirls.com/discography/TorchOfTheMystics.php|title=Sun City Girls: Discography - Torch of the Mystics|website=www.suncitygirls.com|language=en|access-date=2018-05-11}}

Since its release, the album has received critical acclaim from websites such as Allmusic and Pitchfork.

Track listing

{{tracklist

| headline = Side one

| title1 = Blue Mamba

| length1 = 3:06

| title2 = Tarmac 23

| length2 = 4:23

| title3 = Esoterica of Abyssynia

| length3 = 3:13

| title4 = Space Prophet Dogon

| length4 = 7:02

}}

{{tracklist

| headline = Side two

| title1 = The Shining Path

| length1 = 2:56

| title2 = The Flower

| length2 = 3:13

| title3 = Cafe Batik

| length3 = 2:41

| title4 = Radar 1941

| length4 = 2:44

| title5 = Papa Legba

| length5 = 2:42

| title6 = The Vinegar Stroke

| length6 = 1:53

| title7 = Burial in the Sky

| length7 = 3:48

}}

Sources

The song "The Shining Path" is cover of the Bolivian song "Llorando se fue," recorded by Los Kjarkas in 1981.

In popular culture

The song "Lariat" by Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks mentions the album.

Personnel

Adapted from the Torch of the Mystics liner notes.{{cite AV media notes |title=Torch of the Mystics |others=Sun City Girls |year=1990 |type=sleeve |publisher=Majora Records |location=Seattle, Washington}}

;Sun City Girls