Vanity Case Records VC17 “Garden” by The Congregation. CD album with silk screen printed gatefold sleeve and insert, ltd. edn. 04/14 The new release from VCR is a very cool album from The Congregation, who are Felix and Stephen from Frozen Geese. Play this album loud and it will take the weight for you. Class drums and guitars, smooth heavy and passionate, timeless music for you and you and you and I and I. 8/10 according to Brian (Norman Records) on Fri 09 May, 2014 One for the stoner twitchers out there from Leeds renowned stable of the psychedelic and sublime, Vanity Case. I last heard Steve and Felix on the cosmic mindwarp that was the Frozen Geese platter a few years back. Here the duo have constructed a heady yet relaxing journey that veers between organic pastoralism and sublime horizontal jamming. From the off you realise this is a magical Summertime recording designed for hazy days lying in...you guessed it. Your own garden! Or theirs? They won't mind so long as you bring a nice bottle of wine and some (cough) herbs. Combining some real delectable acoustic fretwork, subtle fuzzy meandering space-rock inflections, tactile widescreen percussion and vocals that alternate between pensive and druggy stream of conciousness, 'The Garden' is a thoughtful, rhythmical and evocative body of work that truly takes you on a most satisfying mind-trip. The stand-out track for me out of the 8 is the super-cerebral 'Sound 21' - all gently funky percussion, warm sensual keys and snaky vibes which gets you right into a old grinning, relaxed lather. Quite a varied but concise record with a genuine personality and flair for the exotic without compromising that brilliantly laid-back eccentric attitude. Charmed, I AM sure!