Vanilla Fudge Big extended melodramatic psychedelic covers of 60's hits that are supposed to give a more literally musically version of the lyrics. The songs are drawn out with heavy organ based jams and very slow tempos. It starts with a smoking cover of "Ticket To Ride" which just kicks it. Really great groove and feeling, nothing in the instrumental sounds like the original. It's how a cover song is done, taking the words and basic melody and doing something new and reimagined. "People Get Ready" uses the organ for a more gospel feel. "Bang Bang" was terrible though, I hated the vocals and what they did with the song. Carmine Appice plays drums on the album, he makes the songs heavy and is easily the best part. The second half has a suite "Illusions Of My Childhood" running through the three songs. "You Keep Me Hanging On" being their classic, it's a pretty heavy duty song for the time. The long intro to "Eleanor Rigby" is basically a waste of time. The rest of the cover stinks as well, bad vocals and just so boring. This album is uneven and extremely overdone. Worth it for a few songs and their slamming take on "Ticket To Ride".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOfwg9noxo0 The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators YES! THIS IS THE GOOD KIND OF PSYCHEDELIA! This is heavy duty hard kicking Rock 'n Roll music with a weird twist. The music grooves like mad and it has the urgent feel of Garage Rock with more refined structures and detailed instrumentals. It sounds like a crazy adventure with driving rhythms and unique personality filled vocals. "You're Gonna Miss Me" is a remarkable opener than gets you in right from the start. "Roller Coaster" is an absolutely amazing song! At 5 minutes long it's a real trip with some wild sounds going throughout along with this insane drum beat. "Fire Engine" has Surf Rock riffs and silly but fun siren backing vocals. This is genuine and joyous Rock music. It has the spark of joy and creation that powers all the best music. I'm just blown away by this album and I need to have it in my collection right away. Not every song was good but overall this was just a kick ass album.
Pure whacked out Rock 'n Roll music to it's core. This is just amazing I feel high powered! This is what I want out of Psychedelic music. Everything has it's place, Vanilla Fudge, The Zombies, Cream whatever. Rock 'n Roll is what I'm looking for though and this is my kind of music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsKny8WnktI Strawberry Alarm Clock,
Incense and Peppermints I came in ready to hate it. From the terrible band name to the even worse album name I thought it was going to the kind of Psychedelia I despise. But then "The World's On Fire" started and I was like...alright. It's an 8 minute song with a cool jam, heavy drums and cool guitars. Yes it has the organ going but on this song it was cool. This album is neat, it has crazy parts and the songs go to wild. It has a spark and life to it, very organic feeling tracks. "Lose to Live" spins out of control and keeps returning into different melodic sections, it does a lot in 3 minutes. There is also a JAZZ FLUTE on songs like "Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow" and I absolutely adore the JAZZ FLUTE and any use it gets. Side 2 isn't nearly as good. Only in 1967 could "Incense and Peppermints" be a #1 hit. Compared to other enduring excellent #1 singles from the year like "Light My Fire", "Strawberry Fields Forever", "Penny Lane" and "Hello Goodbye" this song is EXTREMELY dated and does not hold up today. Most of this album is good for a listen though it has some cool parts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIJTiwNdF4Q The Doors,
LA Woman Oh man, I just laid down and listened to this album, eyes closed just chilling. It was a great experience to just exist and stop looking at stuff although I just found out I fell asleep and missed "Hyacinth House" and "Crawling King Snake" entirely so I went back to listen to them. I had no idea that happened. This album is pretty good, very Blues and with bass and rhythm guitar to fill the sound out. The songs are jamming and it's a perfect album to listen to closely since the organ and guitar parts are so cool. The rhythm section is super tight and the drums and bass weave through the various parts of "L.A. Woman" so smoothly. It all feels organic and perfectly recorded. Jim Morrison sings great. "The Changeling" is an awesome Funky song, "Love Her Madly" is classic and "Riders on the Storm" is a wonderful relaxed song, the storm sounds providing great visual ambiance. "L.A. Woman" is a powerhouse, an awesome track that manages to feel improvised like it's all playing out naturally. I didn't really like "L'America" and "The WASP" but now hearing the two songs I feel asleep to in-between it flows better. Overall this is an excellent record with atmosphere and space.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPQn5XwW8aY Bo Diddley BO DIDDLEY! One of the most important people and songs to influence Rock 'n Roll. I mean this guy made the most iconic and identifiable beat of all time that countless people have ripped off, much like Chuck Berry's licks. "Bo Diddley" still brings so much electricity today, it's such an awesome song. But how about the rest of this album? Honestly I was thinking it would be a bunch of rehashes but no this is an awesome collection of high powered Blues with crazy rhythms, awesome vocals and guitars. 1958 and it still sounds so awesome & clear with real power in the performances. The drums on "Hey! Bo Diddley" and "Hush Your Mouth" are insane. "Who Do You Love" has crazy lyrics! and he wrote everything as well! Being influential is one thing, that's all fine and good for history but all that matters is if you the listener enjoy it, otherwise why listen to it? and this is one awesome album!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKYSAfbOCPc The Brothers Johnson,
Right On Time Damn, this is something I need on record. A perfect night album that requires the pops and crackle to come alive. A funky easy on the ears set of great tunes produced by none other than Quincy Jones. It's awesome and super 70's, it has the Funk, Disco and Smooth Jazz feeling. The instrumentation is just fantastic, it's a very tight and well put together album. "Strawberry Letter 23" is just outstanding, an amazing instrumental break and super melody. Some instrumentals along the way. "Q" is smooth and "Brother Man" is an outstanding piece of Funk. "Never Leave You Lonely" goes from easy listening and smooth to grooving super hard in the chorus. "Love Is" ends the album on a perfect note, a simple love track with acoustics and keyboards...awesome. I love the vibe of this album, it's just great music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rquygdjf0d8