THE FUTURE SOUND OF LONDON - Alice in Ultraland vinyl review
This is my The Future Sound Of London Alice in Ultraland vinyl review from my vinyl collection. All reviews on this site are from my collection, and all views expressed are my own.
My version and the one I will talk about in this review is the Record Store Day 2025 version, limited to 1000 copies.
Album Details
Release date: Original release 26th September 2005
Repress 12th April 2025
Label: Harvest Records
Tracklist:
A1. The Emptiness Of Nothingness
A2. The Witchfinder
A3. The Witch Hunt
B1. All Is Harvest
B2. The Prophet
B3. Indian Swing
B4. The Seasons Turn
C1. High And Dry
C2. Yes My Brother – You’ve Gotta Turn Yourself Around
C3.In The Summertime Of Consciousness
D1. Billy The Onion
D2. Another Fairy Tale Ending
D3. The World Is Full Of Plankton
D4. The Wicker Doll
Alice in Ultraland – RSD 2025 Review
The 2025 Record Store Day reissue of Alice in Ultraland lands on orange vinyl, limited to 1,000 numbered copies.
Originally released in 2005 by The Future Sound of London under the Amorphous Androgynous name, this edition celebrates the album’s 20th anniversary.
Pressed as a 2LP gatefold, it brings back a cult classic that blends psychedelia, electronica, funk, and blues.
For fans and vinyl collectors, this pressing offers a rare chance to own a fresh version of a long-unavailable title.
In this review, I’ll explore sound quality, packaging, pressing, track-by-track mood, and why this edition matters.
Background & Release Context
Alice in Ultraland first appeared in 2005. It marked a creative shift for FSOL, leaning heavily on real instruments and psychedelia, with sitar, blues guitar, drums, synths, and ambient layers.
The 2025 RSD edition dropped on April 12 in stores, limited to 1000 copies, with online sales starting April 14 in the US, EU, and UK.
Only one copy per customer. Most copies flew off shelves quickly, with the vinyl “selling out fast” and prices rising on secondary markets for up to £75 online.
Packaging & Presentation
The new pressing follows the original in form but adds collectible flair. It’s a heavyweight 2LP set, pressed on bright orange vinyl, housed in a numbered gatefold sleeve. Printed numbering on the back adds exclusivity.
The gatefold art mirrors the moody, psychedelic vibe, with earthy tones and surreal imagery that echo the music’s mood.
The tactile feel of sleeve stock, combined with the sheen of vinyl, makes this edition feel premium. It’s easy to see why collectors will prize this LP not just for sound, but for visual and tactile appeal.
Sound Quality & Pressing
This RSD pressing shines sonically. The mix balances organic instruments and electronic textures with clarity. Drums have punch and presence. The sitar and blues guitar deliver warmth.
Synth layers retain depth without sounding muddy. Side A opener “The Emptiness of Nothingness” immerses the listener in dreamy atmospheres with crisp highs and rich mids.
On Side B, “All Is Harvest” grooves with funk intensity, and the interplay of bass and drums is punchy and dynamic.
There’s minimal surface noise and no obvious warping. Test press quality is strong. Mastering feels faithful to the original 2005 release, preserving its analogue warmth.
Loudness levels are balanced, favouring dynamic range over excessive compression. Overall, this vinyl sounds alive. It brings the album’s psychedelic-ambient textures into vivid focus.
Fans won’t miss any nuance, and casual listeners get a satisfying vinyl experience.
Music & Track Highlights
TRACKS 1 - 6
1. The Emptiness of Nothingness
A perfect opener. It weaves drones, field recordings, and gentle guitar tremolo. Mood: introspective yet expansive. Vinyl allows a subtle ambience to breathe.
2. The Witchfinder
A seven-minute slow burner. Haunted blues guitar floats over writhing synths. Warm, thumping kick drums around the soundstage. Haunting and deep.
A3. The Witch Hunt
Short atmospheric interlude. Whispered vocals, keyboard swirls. A precursor to heavier rhythms to come.
4. All Is Harvest
Funk-driven centrepiece. The bass and drums lock in tight. Blues riffs add grit. Synth washes glisten over the head. A highlight.
5. The Prophet
A rework of “Yes My Brother” from The Isness era. Deep space rhythm meets haunting melodies. Emotionally resonant.
6. Indian Swing
Shorter track, bright sitar lines and tabla-like percussion. A world-music twist lifted by psychedelic echo.
TRACKS 7 -14
7. The Seasons Turn
A one-minute atmospheric palette cleanser. Gentle birdsong and sweeping pads. A breath before the next wave.
8. High and Dry
Midtempo gem. Blue’s guitar and soft drums under layered synths. Lush and downtempo.
9. Yes My Brother (…Turn Yourself Around)
A centrepiece track. Moody vocals and swirling, melancholic chords. The band’s emotional core.
10. In the Summertime of Consciousness
Ambient trip-hop vibe. Kick-drum pulses join dreamy guitar. Summer mood with introspection.
11–14. Closing Tracks
“Billy the Onion” (bluesy jam), “Another Fairy Tale Ending” (melancholic folk tones), “The World is Full of Plankton” (ambient epic), and “The Wicker Doll” (tighter ending closer). These tracks bring the album full circle, mixing closure with unresolved beauty.
Alice in Ultraland vINYL REVIEW
In total, 14 tracks of psychedelic-electronica fusion. The music feels cohesive, with thematic flow and thoughtful sequencing. Critics called it a masterpiece across genres like electronic, progressive rock, trip-hop, and abstract psychedelia.
While some fans rank it lower than FSOL’s core works, it remains a cult favourite. Forum users debated its depth, with one saying, “still a very good album… different experience for a different mood”.
Collector's Value & Availability
This RSD release is made for collectors. Limited to 1,000 copies (Mine was N0.479), with one per customer. Orange vinyl, numbered gatefold sleeve design screams exclusive. Retail was £32–34.99 in the UK/EU. Secondary sales reached £75 within weeks.
Availability online was scarce; store drops on April 12 sold out fast. Remaining stock hit major indie stores online on April 14, but vanished immediately. For FSOL fans or psychedelic vinyl collectors, it’s a must. Even high resale prices are justifiable for the pressing quality and art.
Pros & Cons Summary
Pros:
Rich, warm sound with a clear midrange and punch
Strong dynamics and vinyl pressing quality
Stunning orange gatefold sleeve, numbered and collectable
Great track variety of funk, ambient, blues, psychedelia
Cons:
Few fans find a couple of longer tracks overly dense.
Limited to 1 copy per customer—tough to snag
High resale prices post-release
Final Verdict - Alice in Ultraland Review
The RSD 2025 pressing of Alice in Ultraland delivers sonic depth, artistic presentation, and collector appeal. Mastering and pressing are top-notch, preserving the album’s psychedelic and bluesy textures. The orange vinyl and numbered gatefold sleeve elevate its status.
Some tracks feel dense, but that’s part of the album’s charm. As a Record Store Day release, it fulfils the promise: rare, sonically rich, and visually compelling. It’s a worthy purchase for FSOL fans, vinyl enthusiasts, or anyone into experimental electro-psych rock.
I hope you enjoyed reading this Alice In Ultraland Vinyl Review, and if you have any questions or comments on it, please reach out to me. you can CONTACT me on the contact page.
