“Second Effort” is Grackle’s striking sophomore (as opposed to “sophomoric”) release of extreme psychedelic music. It continues where their “Number One” CD left off. Still featuring the alien soundscapes found in their first offering, it expands upon these reverberations with more complex mixes and a more refined sound. On it, we find our heroes, Gene Tangren and Mike Nehl (Jackal & Hackle), delving into subjects as diverse as the sanctity of life (Plant Rights), excursions to other planes of existence (The Inbetween) and the difficulties in relating to other cultures/languages (I Don’t Understand). Intricate percussion and overlaid Ukuleles abound and are intertwined with ethereal voices, haunting laughter and chanting/singing in extraterrestrial tongues. The inherent humor of life is lampooned in many of the tunes; nobody has ever criticized Hackle & Jackal of being too self-absorbed or serious. Yet, the tracks can’t really be described as “novelty songs”. They are much too odd to be reckoned as such. As in all other Grackle tunes, the tracks on this CD are meant to help put the listener in touch with other realities; to assist folks to shift their assemblage points without the need for further intervention if that is their wont. From these other vantage points people can sometimes experience an awakening of long suppressed emotions or spirit or see veiled aspects of their life more clearly. That’s why there are so many people that are interested in meditation or the ingestion of plant allies; they wish to alter their sensory filters to allow different wavelengths of knowledge and enlightenment to pass through. This could be the most accessible Grackle CD so far. There is no doubt that many of the tunes are odd, but they may have a more familiar structure than those on either “Number One” or “Third I”. But, don’t let that fool you into believing that it any less psychedelic than any of their other work. As in all other releases, there is nothing remotely inappropriate about the words or ideas (although some people will always find a way to be offended). If you happen to get one of the copies that has an “Advisory” label, you will note that it is only a recommendation to “Use Headphones for Full Effect”. So turn down the lights, slap on the headphones and throw on your very own copy of Grackle’s “Second Effort”. You won’t be disappointed!!