Third Ear Band - Third Ear Band (2025 Reissue) Third Ear Band
Pickup currently unavailable at Truck Oxford or Witney
Delivery options at checkout:
Store Collection
Oxford or Witney
Local Courier
OX1-OX4 postcode
Delivery
UK postage
“For many bands, having all their gear stolen would be catastrophic. For Third Ear Band, this unfortunate 1968 incident opened a portal to beneficial change. Leader/percussionist Glen Sweeney viewed the heist as a sign to alter Third Ear Band’s approach, and they switched to exclusively using acoustic instruments. With electrified psychedelia in full bloom, Sweeney, Paul Minns (oboe, recorder, whistles, flutes) and Richard Coff (violin, viola) struck out on an individualistic path, blending Indian raga with chamber music—without plugging in.
“Third Ear Band’s 1969 debut album, Alchemy, established them as a solemn, powerful force in the global underground. On Alchemy, Sweeney laid down a steady pulse on hand drums, while Minns and Coff wove in melismatic patterns on oboe, recorder, violin and viola. This approach carried over to Third Ear Band’s self-titled sophomore album, often called Elements due to its track titles being named after the four basic components of medieval European alchemists’ doctrines.
“On this 1970 LP, Third Ear Band sounded at once ancient and contemporary, yet they turned on the hippies with their epic, trance-inducing jams that suggested secret knowledge of infinity. Although Third Ear Band flourished during the West’s countercultural zenith, they were peculiarly estranged from it on a sonic level. Even outré contemporaries such as Comus and Jan Dukes De Grey sounded like pop groups compared to TEB. Having no traditional front person or electric instruments, Third Ear Band forged a singular path that flowered most vividly on Elements.
“The long songs here stream forth from their skilled hands, evoking a communal transcendence in sound—a hypnotic swirl that doesn’t swing, but rather wafts and undulates with cloistered beauty. TEB’s music exists in an eternal now, a perpetual wow. It is an ouroboros of organic textures, seemingly magicked into the air spontaneously, yet possessing a rigor that suggests long hours in the lab. Without electricity, it somehow burrowed deeper into your consciousness.”
— Dave Segal (excerpt from the liner notes)
FAQs
Answers to any questions you may have about ordering with us can be found below. If not, don't hesitate to get in contact!
Shipping
- We aim to ship out all orders placed within two working days (except for pre-orders, see below)
- We send all postal orders via Royal Mail's 48 hour tracked service. Your tracking number will be added to your order upon fulfilment
- If there is a problem with your order we will let you know as soon as possible
- Please direct any issues you may have to our helpful team at orders@truckmusic.store
Store Pick Up
- Orders can be placed for collection from either of our stores (Oxford or Witney)
- Let us know which store you would like to collect from either by adding a note to your cart or by emailing orders@truckmusic.store
- We aim to have your order ready within two working days (except for pre-orders, see below)
Pre-Orders
- Pre-ordering is a great way to secure your copy of an album prior to its release date
- We aim to ensure all pre-ordered products are shipped or ready for collection by the album's release date
- Pre-order release dates are subject to change, we will keep the product page up to date with any changes so please refer to this if you are concerned an order hasn't been shipped
- Please direct any enquiries about pre-orders to orders@truckmusic.store
Out of Stocks
- If an item is listed as 'Sold Out', don't despair! We are most likely able to get hold of it so please do contact us if there is something specific you're after!
- OR fill in the 'Notify Me' form to get notified when a product is restocked
Returns
- Website orders are eligible for return up to 14 days after the item has been delivered, please get in contact ASAP if you would like to return an item
