Eden's Children (1968)
On Record Store Day 2025, the Sundazed label issued a green vinyl LP edition (limited to 1,100 copies) of a 1968 album by Eden's Children, a short-lived psychedelic rock band from Chicago. According to Sundazed, this was the first official reissue of the band's self-titled debut album. Although this reissue (Sundazed LP 5688) served as an exclusive Record Store Day release, the official RSD website states that it is an "RSD First" release, meaning that it "may be released to other retailers or webstores at some point in the future". I would say that scenario is very likely, because I would be surprised if Sundazed dug up this long-buried psych gem only for RSD purposes.
Eden's Children was a power trio consisting of singer/guitarist Richard "Sham" Schamach, bassist Larry Kiely, and drummer Jimmy Sturman. The brand of psychedelic rock they played on the self-titled Eden's Children album is fascinating, showing an impressive degree of energy generated by only three men. Schamach's amazing guitar playing alternately resembles that of Jimi Hendrix (especially on the first three tracks) and Cream-era Eric Clapton (particularly on "Stone Fox", "My Bad Habit", and "Don't Tell Me"). The bass and drum sounds are sturdy and relentless. The five-minute instrumental "Out Where The Light Fish Live" smolders with psych intensity. Although their music invites comparison to other bands from their day, Eden's Children had their own distinctive identity. The nearly-eight-minute "Just Let Go" is perhaps a too-obvious imitation of the Doors, with Schamach singing a lot like Jim Morrison and playing a lot like Robby Krieger, but it doesn't bore. Eden's Children is a good find for lovers of late-'60's psychedelia.
So, I wonder if Sundazed -- or any label -- has a similar interest in reissuing the second and final album by Eden's Children, which was also released in 1968. Sure Looks Real found the trio engaging in a gentler and less fuzz-drenched form of psychedelia. Although there are still Hendrix vibes on "Toasted" and "Spirit Call", this album shows Schamach and company aiming for a more understated beauty -- and achieving it. Although Sure Looks Real is less intense than its predecessor, it is no less fascinating. Schamach's guitar still dazzles on "Things Gone Wrong", "Call It Design", and the title track. The band revealed more jazz influence this time around, and were possibly adapting to the progressive rock movement that was underway. Sure Looks Real suggests that if this band had survived beyond the psychedelic era, they would have been capable of adjusting to new trends, and had the potential to create quite a distinguished body of work. But in reality, we only have the two existing Eden's Children albums to enjoy. Here's hoping they finally find a wider audience.
Eden's Children "Eden's Children" (ABC ABCS-624) 1968
Track Listing:
1. Knocked Out
2. Goodbye Girl
3. If She's Right
4. I Wonder Why
5. Stone Fox
6. My Bad Habit
7. Just Let Go
8. Out Where The Light Fish Live
9. Don't Tell Me
Eden's Children "Sure Looks Real" (ABC ABCS-652) 1968
Track Listing:
1. Sure Looks Real
2. Toasted
3. Spirit Call
4. Come When I Call
5. Awakening
6. The Clock's Imagination
7. Things Gone Wrong
8. Wings
9. Call It Design
10. Invitation
11. Echoes
Eden's Children was a power trio consisting of singer/guitarist Richard "Sham" Schamach, bassist Larry Kiely, and drummer Jimmy Sturman. The brand of psychedelic rock they played on the self-titled Eden's Children album is fascinating, showing an impressive degree of energy generated by only three men. Schamach's amazing guitar playing alternately resembles that of Jimi Hendrix (especially on the first three tracks) and Cream-era Eric Clapton (particularly on "Stone Fox", "My Bad Habit", and "Don't Tell Me"). The bass and drum sounds are sturdy and relentless. The five-minute instrumental "Out Where The Light Fish Live" smolders with psych intensity. Although their music invites comparison to other bands from their day, Eden's Children had their own distinctive identity. The nearly-eight-minute "Just Let Go" is perhaps a too-obvious imitation of the Doors, with Schamach singing a lot like Jim Morrison and playing a lot like Robby Krieger, but it doesn't bore. Eden's Children is a good find for lovers of late-'60's psychedelia.
So, I wonder if Sundazed -- or any label -- has a similar interest in reissuing the second and final album by Eden's Children, which was also released in 1968. Sure Looks Real found the trio engaging in a gentler and less fuzz-drenched form of psychedelia. Although there are still Hendrix vibes on "Toasted" and "Spirit Call", this album shows Schamach and company aiming for a more understated beauty -- and achieving it. Although Sure Looks Real is less intense than its predecessor, it is no less fascinating. Schamach's guitar still dazzles on "Things Gone Wrong", "Call It Design", and the title track. The band revealed more jazz influence this time around, and were possibly adapting to the progressive rock movement that was underway. Sure Looks Real suggests that if this band had survived beyond the psychedelic era, they would have been capable of adjusting to new trends, and had the potential to create quite a distinguished body of work. But in reality, we only have the two existing Eden's Children albums to enjoy. Here's hoping they finally find a wider audience.
Eden's Children "Eden's Children" (ABC ABCS-624) 1968
Track Listing:
1. Knocked Out
2. Goodbye Girl
3. If She's Right
4. I Wonder Why
5. Stone Fox
6. My Bad Habit
7. Just Let Go
8. Out Where The Light Fish Live
9. Don't Tell Me
Eden's Children "Sure Looks Real" (ABC ABCS-652) 1968
Track Listing:
1. Sure Looks Real
2. Toasted
3. Spirit Call
4. Come When I Call
5. Awakening
6. The Clock's Imagination
7. Things Gone Wrong
8. Wings
9. Call It Design
10. Invitation
11. Echoes
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