The US, in the 60s, tended to a harder-edged psychedelia than the UK. When it tried for a British feel it generally got it wrong. In short - perhaps because of Vietnam - the Americans never got whimsy to work. It tried (cringe-makingly) and failed, just as most British bands failed with "hard" psychedelic music. And then we got, several decades later, Marcy Playground channelling the spirit of Barrett-era Pink Floyd. And doing it brilliantly (while somehow combining some REM-like elements with the 60s vibe).

The single, "Sex and Candy" is a cool song, but there are more interesting songs on the album, including the haunting closer "Vampires of New York". This isn't Paisly Underground, but real psychedelia. If you like "Nuggets" then this is for you. If you don't like "Nuggets" then you probably have no taste and so won't like it at all.

Marcy Playground is one of the few CD's, along with Bush's Sixteen Stone, Nirvana's Unplugged in New York, and Stone Temple Pilots' Core, that I can listen from start to finish without skipping a song. Each and every song, although at times short, is very unique and has a great calm and soothing feel to it. This CD has so much more to offer than the radio hits "Sex & Candy", "Saint Joe on the School Bus", and "Sherry Fraiser". Those songs are all great, but my personal favorites are "A Cloak of Elvinkind" and "Poppies". "Ancient Walls of Flowers" is superb as well. I cannot recommend this CD enough. Well worth the purchase.

This CD tells a story in each song. Like several previous reviews mentioned, this CD is very versatile and covers alot of different types of music. Definitely one of the best rock CDs I've ever listened to. I origionally bought this to reminisce on the old favorite Sex and Candy. However, I can count at least three or four songs that are better. St. Joe and Wall of Flowers are my favorite although One More Suicide has an eerie and irresistable sound to it that you have to listen to over and over. Vocal work and guitar work are both top notch throughout the album.

This CD is really really addicting. I too have had this CD for a while and I'm just now writing a review on it. This is one of my favorite CD's that I own. Every song on here is amazing! Sex and Candy, Ancient Walls of Flowers, A Cloak of Elvenkind, Sherry Fraser, Opium, Dog and His Master , and The Vampires of New York are MADLY ADDICTING! I really never figured out why they didnt release any of those songs as singles, seeing as they're 100 times better than Sex and Candy or Saint Joe on the School Bus. The lyrics and sounds are so mellow and relxing that they'll take you away into Marcy's Playground.

Very rarely have i ever come accross an album whose songs are all worthy of listening. . .that is, there is no need to ever press the "skip" button while listening to this CD. All of the songs are excellent. . .my favorite being "Elvenkind" and "Sherry Frasier". What's more. . .the lyrics are actually interesting to listen to. . .for example, "Poppies" is about the beginning of the opium trade between Britain and China. Not your typical pop-song.

As an avid patron to all types and forms of music, Marcy Playground, and, specifically, this CD, is my number one favorite.

The lead singer has an absolutely beautiful voice and the lyrics are niether forced nor overly emotional (a common problem with many modern forms of music). I have often heard this CD described as "soothing". . .which it certainly is. But let me clarify that "soothing" in this context is not intended to imply "boring". . .for it is far from that.

Recommended for anyone who likes "slower". . .though not pop-style. . .rock.

To sum it up: beautiful.