Electric Music For The Mind And Body

I find it very hard to get excited about an album like this. It was probably big or important in its time (67, right at the beginning of the whole psychedelic pop-rocknsummer of love shit) but this is the same crap I've heard a done much better a million times. I paid more attention to the lyrics to see if I was missing something groundbreaking - cool cats, diggin trips, fuck LBJ, nothing new to see here. And I get that these are cliches now but might not have been at the time, doesn't make them less annoying. It's raw, and I fucking love raw albums, but these guys needed a couple more takes of a few of these songs. And the bluesy track that could have been a nice song was ruined by the loudest tambourine I've ever heard in a song, followed later by the loudest maracas I've ever heard in a song. "Death sound". Maybe I'd have enjoyed it if I'd heard it before I heard Jefferson airplane, grateful dead etc. Or if I never watched ANY Vietnam movies. Or if I dropped some acid first. Other than that, great album.

Well, it’s better than the Grateful Dead, but that’s a low bar.

blues-y patchouli oil old school hippy stuff. Rugged, gritty, leftist. That classic "I recorded this in a tent" aesthetic.

Electric Music for the Mind and Body by Country Joe and The Fish (1967) McDonald’s moniker “Country Joe” is a reference to Joseph Stalin, and Barry Melton’s moniker “The Fish” is a reference to Mao Zedong (Wikipedia); you see, mommies, daddies, and managers were post-WWII socialists. This was music that was loved at the time because it was so ‘counter-cultural’. And it was loved by people who celebrated their difference from the mainstream by imitating each other. This mindset was perfectly parodied by Dick Shawn in the 1967 Mel Brooks classic “The Producers”. The ‘message’ is carried by trite lyrics that clunk along and stop just short of expressing feeling. It’s what you get when you turn red diaper babies loose in the studio. Lyrically, the album seems to be excusing itself by saying, “Since I’m stoned, I don’t have to make sense”. There’s one weeny stab at amateur political satire of LBJ (“Superbird”) that can be reduced to “I don’t like you, nyaah, nyaah”. And when a songwriter says (“Sad and Lonely Times”), “I can’t find the words to tell you how I care”, the listener can’t help but say, “Well, keep searching and get back to me”. Lead guitar has some nice moments (“Death Sound”, “Bass Strings”) with sparkling blues runs, inventive rapid tremolo and tasteful reverb, but it’s slapped against lead vocals that utterly lack soul. Plus, the bass strings on “Bass Strings” are seriously out of tune (actually, this is the case on most of the album). And there’s often an annoying mismatch between the gimmicky guitar effects (e.g., “Porpoise Mouth”) and the lyrical mood. Organ and harmonica on the pretentiously ‘psychedelic’ extended “Section 43” are strictly amateur. The closing track “Grace” (supposedly a tribute to Grace Slick) is so bad I can picture Slick saying, “Thanks, but no thanks.” It’s all about love, peace, getting high, stop the war, yada yada. And it’s all so plastic—an album that begs not to be taken seriously. 1/5

These fuckers were at Woodstock and I was served this album during Daylight Savings Time. These things are both true and more substantial than I care to admit. Drugs and drug music have gotten much better since this album was released. Yet we still can't fix Daylight Savings Time or create another successful Woodstock.

Apparently you can judge a book by its cover. My favourite part was the song that randomly played right after this album finished on Apple Music. Check out “Screamin’” by The Paul Butterfield Blue Band.

Was having a bad day. couple of beers and this CD fixed me.

Meh. Groovy, but only as a period example

Excellent stuff. Love finding bangers on this list that I've never heard of. Loved the weirdness of it

On the whole, I liked it. Good, old-school, jazz-infused psychedelic rock. There were some things I didn't like though. The guitars were occasionally too high-pitched and whiny for my liking (although I really liked the more swamp-style twingey guitar parts) and the vocals weren't the best either. Still, a nice listen overall.

Who could forget the time that LBJ fought the Fantastic 4 and Doctor Strange? This album is on DRUGS

Wow. A psychedelic rock album from 1967? These guys were truly innovators. There were definitely no other psychedelic rock albums from this time period! I'm sure this album belongs on the list and is not just a footnote in one of the most oversaturated music genres of all time! Country Joe should shut up and let THE FISH speak for a moment. I want to hear some blubs. Truly one of the albums ever. 2/5.

Great psych!

Fuzzy, loosey goosey blues and psych. A pleasant surprise, but I feel like it loses the plot near the end. I like how, at one point, they drop all pretense and just whisper the letters "LSD". Favorite tracks: "Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine", "Love"

Well that Xmas recycling is not going to sort itself, I'd better get a crack on. For some reason our yellow bin cycle doesn't really align with Xmas, so it's a bit of struggle, what with two weeks of normal recycling and then all the Xmas boxes and stuff, but then that's Canterbury Bankstown council for you. Sorry did someone say something about Country Joe and the Fish, sorry, I didn't catch that..on a par with Stephen Stills? I can't hear you over the sound of boxes being scrunched.

I Liked this a lot more than I expected I would, especially after starting it and not getting through the first song or two the first couple tries. You can tell that it was one of the albums that laid the foundation, or discovered the formula for, psych and jam bands that would follow. It seems like a more bare representation of the elements that would go on to dominate those genres. Very bluesy at times with a country and rock ‘n roll vibes with a lot of experimentation and ambience.

On the whole, I liked it. Good, old-school, jazz-infused psychedelic rock.

I really enjoyed this album, maybe the electric stuff got a little too loud but when they go folksy, yum, I liked it so much I easily listened twice

One surprise in this project is how much I like psychedelic music. Certainly wasn’t much of a thing for me when I was younger. Through this project, though, the psychedelic-laced albums more often than not appeal. This album is no exception. I listened to it three times today and each time enjoyed it more! I dig it not just as a historic album but also as a groovy listen.

Had never heard of them before but loved it. All the sounds, the twang, the catchiness of the lyrics, I probably saved half the album to my music. This is why I'm doing this project, to find things like this. And also, what a name!

swampy psychedelia? sign me the fuck up — 10/10

Really enjoyed this one, especially the dark psychedelic sound that it has.

tri bom o som

4.5/5. Might be low-key some of the best stuff from 60s Cali psych at the time

beautiful

Probably the best Country Joe and the Fish album

Now that’s some proper 60’s psychedelia, I think these cats mighta played at Woodstock tbh

Loved this. Totally 1967!

A hidden gem. Never heard of them before but I like the music. Shame they were so short lived

the keyboard and guitar on this album feels, ELECTRIC. the end of the album takes it slow and lets you soak in tbe beauty

60's psychedelic rock from San Francisco is where it's at. I thoroughly enjoyed this album. They played Monterey Pop and Woodstock. What an awesome scene to have been involved in. Great stuff.

I LOVED this

Electric Music for the Mind and Body is Country Joe and the Fish's debut album, originally released in 1967. This might be the best psychedelic album ever. I mean, the cover alone should peak your interest. This album is so raw. The guitars are mixed so loud that they just take over. It almost has the vibe of an early acid test live performance. There's fuzz guitar, delay, tremolo, everything you'd want in a psychedelic record. The organ parts can be a bit overbearing and dated at times but there's so many cool moments on this record that it gets overshadowed. It's fantastic under certain mind altering substances. It's a shame that Country Joe & The Fish kinda got lost in music history and aren't mentioned much anymore in the psychedelic scene because they were true psychedelia at the top of their game. Fun fact: You may see old vinyl copies of this LP with messed up corners. There was a rumor upon release that they dipped one of the corners of the record sleeve in LSD, and many a hippie tried to get dosed by chewing the corner.

This shit goes hard af

One of the best psychedelic rock record that really worked with what the genre wanted to do.

Scrappy hippies are my kind of wannabee cowboys.

What a fun album

Nice album.

Amazing listen all the way through

Well, I approach this with a great deal of nervousness. Country? Ew. Is it actually country? No, thank the lord it isn't. It's psychedelic rock, which is on every measure better than country. Speaking of "country", I absolutely love the filth of "Not so sweet Martha Lorraine". Clearly a reference to Shakespeare's "Country Matters", this is a song about sex. A bookish woman has learnt about sex from books and by rote. She doesn't take pleasure in it, but uses it. She wants him "to die" is obviously, glaringly la petit mort, the little death. Wiping the tears "from his friend's eye" is sordidly descriptive. She's using sex, using it to bring him to climax even - but she's never learnt "the country ways" - she doesn't know how to take any of that pleasure for herself. And he's lamenting that. What a cracking little track and what a story it tells!

What a fantastic record.

9/10 - pretty good album

Nice

Groovy, I love it. The first tracks are perfect, the last ones are a bit less interesting to me, but still very good

Wow.

Un viaje sonoro espectacular, recomendable

I liked this a lot, I definitely want to listen to it again.

I only knew Country Joe from his famous anti-Vietnam War song and a vague memory from the Woodstock movie. This is considerably more psychedelic than I was expecting. But in a good way.

Classic sixties hippie counter culture anthems. How times have changed (or have they?)

Cool psych blues

swampy fuzzy psych rock with whiny guitars is just something that triggers something in me hahaha. I like it! These Tunes are raw and great. Enjoyed this album lots! (4.0/5.0)

A protest song with teeth! Barry Melton's been a longtime guitar hero of mine, with a liquid sound that your Jerry Garcias could only imitate. I guess Joe and David took a lot of solos on this one. No so sweet martha lorraine has a great blues bridge that is way catchier than it has any right to be. Anyway, not really a jug band like they started, but there is a lot of interesting stuff going on here.

Country, bluesy, psychodelic - very 60s!

A big slab of psychedelic country blues, reminding just how refined this could be delivered and how satisfyingly delivered by cats (or fish) who knew what they were doing. Indeed, the Summer of Love raised the floor on a certain style, a certain sound, and lots of bands – CJ&F very much included – delivered at a high level. In general, this leans. "Sad and Lonely Times" is first rate and dreamy-gently trippy "Area 43" and the similar (but darker-hued) "Bass String" are also quite strong. A weakness is that they seem to overrely on the organ late on in the record. In general, one thinks this leans more to the mental-psychological, than the bodily-physical side of the title's equation, though one's always been more of a thinker than a dancer. One's glad to have heard this which also serves as a juicy and enjoyable historical artifact.

Psychadellic brother

Back to back 60s psychedelic rock albums. This one probably not quite as good as the zombies, but I like the genre. Listened twice so definitely had something about it. 3.5 as not as good as yesterday, but worthy of a 4 I think

I do love some jangly blues guitar and im surely a sucker for organ. Love the beginnings of protest music from Country Joe. Album is good except the end song leaves me tired.

A really solid album. The instrumentals were cool & trippy. Mostly great (especially the guitar), but at times they got annoying. However, those instances were minimal. Same with the vocals. The singer is by no means great, but his voice fits well with the music. But the first couple songs were definitely a miss, vocals-wise. Glad the album got better. Side note to the singer: You didn't have to drop so many on-the-nose hints about LSD, we could tell you were already on it.

good psychedelic

Three tracks in, I am drinking this straight from the bottle. I love the crusty, blues tone infused with psychedelic goodness. And to top it off, the production and vocals are better than they have any right to be for the era (really production more than vocals). Death Sound is particularly noteworthy here; the guitar and play with echos and reverb are easy to let yourself sink into. Okay as this played out it definitely lost a lot of focus -- or maybe I did. Either way the impression I get is that this is a (typically) wonky psychedelic rock album with truly amazing production quality. While it is unfocused, I enjoyed a lot more than I didn't here and could see myself coming back for repeated listens. Low 4 / high 3 boundary.

This is a hard 4 stars for me. Never heard of these guys but it was some finger licking good guitar mixed with some fun psychedelic vibes. I enjoyed the listen.

Very cool and unexpectedly good acid rock album. Gotta love when you get caught off guard whole doing this list. Sounds like King Giz took a lot of inspiration from this when making Float Along - Fill your Lungs, which is one of my top albums by them. So no surprise this is a pretty strong 4

great 60's hard/Psychedelic rock

I knew this group and even had some songs liked. Really enjoyed this 4/5

low 4, psychedelic

dreamy, trippy, I imagine it pairs well with being high

I wasn't sure what to expect based on the title but this is really dope. Very experimental and weird for 1967. I like how it mixes country sounds with almost prog-like style at points.

Favorite Track: Super Bird

Summer of Love on an album.

It was interesting

I listened to this while walking through a storm. Literally. It really suited the mood. I’m by the sea, I was walking along the seafront at high tide, the wind was blowing heavily and the waves were crashing on the wall, occasionally spraying over onto the path. I don’t really remember much of the music, but I had a very good time listening to it against that background

Surprisingly good

Not entirely even but god nonetheless

Classic album for the time - solid

I could see this easily being a hit back when it came out

Some of the tracks are a bit hippy dippy & of their time but a couple have agent well. 4 stars might be a tad generous, but overall I enjoyed listening to this.

just some solid, solid psychedelic rock

Esta primera grabación de Country Joe & the fisch es un magnífico fruto de la psicodelia a finales de los 60. Me sigue maravillando la apertura del disco, "Flying High", con su sugerentes texturas de guitarra y teclado, y la personal voz de Joe McDonald (Country Joe). En el disco también encontramos trazas del folk-rock inicial de la banda en "Sad and Lonely Times" y, por supuesto, la muy política "Superbird".

Funky and fun!

Interesting

She hides in an attic concealed on a shelf Behind volumes of literature based on herself And runs across the pages like some tiny elf Knowing that it's hard to find Stuff way back in her mind, Winds up spending all of her time Trying to memorize every line Sweet Lorraine, ah, sweet Lorraine Sweet lady of death wants me to die So she can come sit by my bedside and sigh And wipe away the tears from all my friends eyes Then softly she will explain Just exactly who was to blame For causing me to go insane And finally blow out my brain, Sweet Lorraine, ah, sweet Lorraine. Yeah, this is a pretty great album. 4/5

Chill, trippy, & made for a really good background listen while at work.

Cool electric guitar!

Interessantes Zeitdokument. Generation Woodstock. Passt!

Really enjoyed this one, especially the dig at LBJ for some reason

zak doesn’t like it but it’s not that bad

Twangy psychedelic rock. Good listen overall. Added to favorites

Not too much to say, asides from it being some pretty damn good Psychedelic Rock. Solid 4 for me.

I'm a big fan of the Country Joe I've heard, mostly his solo albums. My first taste of this one and from the first two tracks, I'm picking up what he's putting down. Surprised how musically similar to Doors. Ok, now I realize if you play a Hammond then it sounds like the doors in my world.

Start was very strong. Really cool blend of electronic and psych that I think is really predictive of the shape of indy and progressive music that followed. I think the second half is a little less focused and more noisy. I'll definitely revisit this. Falls just short of a 5 at the moment

I've known about Country Joe for most of my adult life, mostly from watching Woodstock movie. However I don't recall if I ever listen to an entire album of his. I was surprised how good this album was. Sure there's a couple of mediocre tunes but some great electric psychedelic blues.

first time listen, really good mid-60s psychedelia

A fun combination of acid rock fused with some jazz and funk. Good listen!

Crazy how the 60s have such a distinct sound. Diggin this so far. The Blues overtone to this is nice! With the organ in some of these songs. I get a lot of Doors vibes. 4 stars!

**Electric Music for the Mind and Body** is the debut album by Country Joe & The Fish, released in 1967. This album is a landmark in the psychedelic rock genre, notable for its innovative blend of folk, rock, and psychedelia, and for capturing the political and social upheavals of the 1960s. Here, we will delve deeply into its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, providing a thorough analysis of its strengths and weaknesses. ### Lyrics **Country Joe & The Fish** used their lyrics to reflect the countercultural sentiments of the time. The album opens with "Flying High," a song that immediately sets the tone for the rest of the record. The lyrics convey a sense of freedom and escapism, which was central to the psychedelic experience. **Key Tracks:** 1. **"Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine"** - This song features cryptic and surreal lyrics that critique societal norms and explore themes of alienation and existential dread. Lines like "She hides in an attic concealed on a shelf / Behind volumes of literature based on herself" show the band's literary influences and penchant for introspection. 2. **"Death Sound Blues"** - The lyrics here are a stark contrast to the album’s more whimsical moments, dealing with themes of mortality and existentialism. The haunting lines "When your shadow's hangin' over you / When your baby leaves you all alone" exemplify the darker side of the 1960s counterculture. 3. **"Superbird"** - A satirical piece targeting President Lyndon B. Johnson, it showcases the band's political edge. The song's humor and biting commentary are evident in lines like "Superbird you do not have to say a word / Your actions have been heard" which underscore the era’s anti-war sentiments. ### Music Musically, **Electric Music for the Mind and Body** is a rich tapestry of styles and sounds. The album is characterized by its innovative use of electric instruments, unusual time signatures, and pioneering production techniques. **Key Musical Elements:** 1. **Innovative Guitar Work** - Barry Melton's guitar playing stands out for its creativity and technical proficiency. His use of feedback, distortion, and reverb was groundbreaking at the time. Songs like "Section 43" feature extended instrumental passages that showcase his ability to blend melody with sonic experimentation. 2. **Keyboard Contributions** - David Cohen's organ and piano work are integral to the album's sound. The swirling organ on "Bass Strings" and the baroque influences on "Porpoise Mouth" add depth and texture to the music. 3. **Rhythmic Complexity** - The band experiments with different rhythms and time signatures, particularly evident in "Happiness Is a Porpoise Mouth" with its shifting tempos and "Grace" with its waltz-like feel. ### Production The production of **Electric Music for the Mind and Body**, handled by Samuel Charters, is notable for its clarity and inventiveness. Recorded at Sierra Sound Laboratories in Berkeley, California, the album benefits from a relatively high production quality for its time. **Production Highlights:** 1. **Sound Clarity** - Each instrument is given room to breathe in the mix, allowing the intricate interplay between guitar, organ, and vocals to shine through. This clarity enhances the listening experience, especially on tracks like "Section 43" where the instrumental layers are complex. 2. **Use of Effects** - The use of reverb, echo, and other studio effects was cutting-edge. The production techniques used on tracks like "Bass Strings" contribute to the album's psychedelic feel, creating an immersive soundscape. 3. **Balance** - The album maintains a good balance between vocal and instrumental tracks, ensuring that the listener is constantly engaged. The decision to include both structured songs and free-form jams gives the album a dynamic quality. ### Themes **Electric Music for the Mind and Body** explores a wide range of themes, from personal introspection to political commentary, all wrapped in a psychedelic ethos. **Major Themes:** 1. **Psychedelic Experience** - Many songs on the album, such as "Flying High" and "Bass Strings," capture the essence of the psychedelic experience. The lyrics and music often mimic the sensations of a psychedelic trip, with swirling sounds and surreal imagery. 2. **Political Activism** - The band's political activism is evident in tracks like "Superbird" and "The Masked Marauder," which critique American politics and the Vietnam War. This political edge gives the album a sense of urgency and relevance. 3. **Love and Relationships** - Songs like "Janis," a tribute to Janis Joplin, and "Sad and Lonely Times" delve into themes of love, longing, and heartache. These tracks provide an emotional counterpoint to the album's more politically charged and psychedelic moments. ### Influence **Electric Music for the Mind and Body** had a profound influence on the psychedelic rock genre and beyond. Its innovative use of electric instruments, experimental production techniques, and politically charged lyrics set a template for subsequent bands. **Influence on Music:** 1. **Psychedelic Rock** - The album helped define the psychedelic rock genre, influencing bands like Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, and Pink Floyd. Its blend of folk, rock, and psychedelia became a blueprint for many artists in the late 1960s and early 1970s. 2. **Political Music** - The band's willingness to address political issues in their music paved the way for other artists to incorporate activism into their work. Bands like The Doors and artists like Bob Dylan drew inspiration from Country Joe & The Fish's politically charged lyrics. 3. **Live Performances** - Known for their energetic and improvisational live performances, Country Joe & The Fish influenced the live music scene, encouraging bands to experiment with extended jams and audience interaction. ### Pros and Cons **Pros:** 1. **Innovative Music** - The album's blend of different musical styles and innovative use of electric instruments set it apart from its contemporaries. Tracks like "Section 43" and "Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine" showcase the band's ability to push musical boundaries. 2. **Engaging Lyrics** - The lyrics are thought-provoking and reflective of the social and political climate of the 1960s. The band's ability to address complex themes in a poetic manner is a significant strength. 3. **High Production Quality** - The production is top-notch, with clear sound and effective use of studio effects. This enhances the overall listening experience and allows the album's intricate musical arrangements to shine. 4. **Cohesive Themes** - The album successfully weaves together themes of psychedelia, politics, and personal introspection, creating a cohesive narrative that captures the spirit of the era. **Cons:** 1. **Dated Sound** - While innovative at the time, some of the album's sounds and production techniques may feel dated to modern listeners. The psychedelic effects and extended jams might not appeal to everyone. 2. **Inconsistent Pacing** - The album's pacing can be uneven, with the shift between structured songs and free-form jams potentially disrupting the flow for some listeners. Tracks like "Grace" might feel out of place amidst the more psychedelic numbers. 3. **Limited Accessibility** - The album's experimental nature and heavy use of psychedelia may not be accessible to all listeners. Those not familiar with the genre might find it challenging to fully appreciate. ### Conclusion **Electric Music for the Mind and Body** is a seminal album that encapsulates the essence of the 1960s counterculture. Its innovative blend of music, thought-provoking lyrics, high production quality, and cohesive themes make it a standout in the psychedelic rock genre. While it may have some limitations in terms of accessibility and pacing, its influence on music and culture is undeniable. Country Joe & The Fish succeeded in creating a work that not only reflects its time but also transcends it, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of rock music.

Awesome example of psychedelic blues. The album kind of declined in quality after the instrumental (Section 43) but it was still pretty solid. I get the feeling this album won't get a lot of "3 star" ratings, but if you already know you like music from the acid rock era, you will like this.

Loved this one, great psychedelic sound. Not sure why The Doors have the lasting legacy and these guys don't. This is also one of the most fitting album covers I've seen.

I enjoy this mellowish album. Maybe the first to be mixed specifically to listen to while on acid.

I’ll be honest, I pretty much always have time for some psychedelic music

What a weird and pleasant surprise.