The Republican

The Swimming Pool Q's, The Royal Academy of Reality (Bar/None) 4 1/2 stars

Just as R.E.M. showed the world there was another meaning to Southern Rock in the early 1980s, there was a fellow cutting edge troupe from Georgia that made music just as mystical without ever getting near the attention that they deserved. The thrill is hearing that The Swimming Pool Q's sound every bit as wondrous now as they did then, on this, their first full-length album in 10 years. The richly atmospheric sounds seem more psychedelic than in the past, thanks no doubt to instruments like glass harp, Clavioline, harpsichord, bagpipes, tamboura, sitar and even a Chinese instrument known as the chang.

Weaving around the Q's guitar-based grit and a series of standouts penned mostly by Jeff Calder, the music comes brilliantly into focus on tracks like the dream-spinning "Yesterday's Rain," the incredibly beautiful, Brian Wilson-flavored "Deep South" and another cut that could have fit perfectly on "Pet Sounds," "The Wheel of the Sun." That latter song features the Velvet Underground's Moe Tucker banging away on drum and tambourine. The album also includes some sublime work by Anne Richmond Boston, the band's vocalist during its prime time. She came back on board late during these sessions, but sparkles on several cuts here, especially the duet with Calder on "The Radio in Memphis." Breathtaking and bold, Royal Academy of Reality, is a major comeback from a truly underrated band. It's also one of the very best albums of 2003.

Kevin O’Hare