Reviews (page 2 of 7)
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would, based on the Woodstock footage I've seen. They're much more up my alley than I believed. 3.5/5
Loved this, very psychedelic and a bit predictable but felt original
Maybe it was the 80 degree weather, maybe it was driving with the windows down, but I thought this album rocked
Pure vibes
is this hootin n tootin? yes or yes but in yellow when the album cover looks like this i trust it to be good immediately
70-tals album
Back then it was always sandals, bottom half of a flower-print bikini, faded Country Joe & the Fish t-shirt. Tonight she was all in flatland gear... Det er mitt eneste referansepunkt for Country Joe & the Fish -- et band alle untatt Thomas Pynchon har glemt. Først og fremst: stereo-mixen er grusom; aktivt irriterende. Jeg byttet til mono etter 2 låter, og det løste problemet. Dette er egentlig bare en litt mindre poppa the Doors eller? På B-siden føler jeg at de bytter litt spor -- mindre blues, mer psychedelic noodling med et par avstikkere inn i Beatles-land. Koste meg med dette, jeg; har potensiale til å bli en fremtidig favoritt.
This was so much better than I expected it to be
YES some 1967 this is PERFECT my favourite year of music I can already tell I’m going to be adding a BUNCH of these songs to my playlist. I also already love Country Joe & The Fish. Literally ticks all the boxes for me. 1967, psychedelic, guitar solos and drugs. Love.
Trippy
The album cover plays up the acid light shows they were a part of, and the music gives off that celestial vibe. Not their best album, but one I can groove to.
Phabulous. Give me an F!
Why does this music make me feel oddly nostalgic? I liked this way more than I thought I would. Not the acid rock stuff, but the melodic almost folk story music around it.
Surprised how much I enjoyed this
19/03/2026 It was certainly different, I have never heard of these guys. I won't listen again, but it was an experience. Spotify listeners: 123.1k
favorites: not so sweet; porpoise mouth; bass strings
Well this was a pleasant and unexpected surprise. Never heard of this band or album before, but this was awesome* I'm a sucker for psychedlia, so album is a welcom addition to my collection. N.B. The 2006 version stereo mix on Apple music is absolutely awful in headphones, the instrument separation (80% in one ear) was so jarring and distracting I couldn't listen. I'm not sure whether the original sounded like this. Once I forced my computer audio to mono it was a pleasure to enjoy. I later managed to find a copy of the 2013 delux remaster. Funnily enough, over speakers I prefer the 2013 stereo mix. I'd like to give it 4.5 but that's not an option, I want to listen again stoned and imagine I'm at Woodstock. Could creep up to a 5 with more listening.
I was on the fence between marking it off as a 3 or a 4. I really enjoyed the fusion of psychedelic sounds and blues rock. While this wasn't the album that was the turning point, but it was definitely part of it.
Good listen
Pure sixties bliss!
I like psychedelic rock. The bluesy guitars on here are cool
Not sure I'll ever come back to this but it wasn't a waste of time
Blues and psychedelics. They were young on this one!
funky
Bra album!! Vibes idk vad mer att säga.
probably not many albums out there that namedrop both i ching and the fantastic four. this is a Literal summer of love record (like, san fran in 67 literal) but its not all that fantastical...the earthier goals are clear from the band name, which is either an all time great or all time stinker but i cant decide which. i have very little to say about the actual music but i did enjoy it...this is a very likable musical language for me, and honestly im rly impressed with how tight and precise the band manages to be, which is not at all a guarantee for this scene and style for obvious reasons. its hardly a requirement, for those same reasons, but it sure is a nice surprise to throw on this kind of album and manage to notice the creativity of the drumming multiple times...shoutouts to Chicken Hirsh
I was surprised. I was expecting something terrible. Overall, I found the music very entertaining and funny. I might not listen to it every day, but I'll definitely listen to it from time to time. 4/5
I still love the headshop psych gooeyness of this album. It reminds me a bit of what the Dead would expound on in *Anthem of the Sun* the following year *Aoxomoxoa* in '69. The best bits of this album are on side one especially the bluesy "Death Sound Blues" and the trippiness of "Happiness is a Porpoise Mouth" and "Section 43". Side to kind of goes into a bit of 60s pop Fair but still she was a bit of their political humor they'd perfect in the next album in "Superbird" and ends with the pleasantly trippy "Grace" It is a bit primitive especially coming after *Surrealistic Pillow*, but at least a great psych album nonetheless. (8.6)
A cool mix of psychedilia and blues. 4.5 stars
A great early psychedelic rock album that I hadn't heard yet. Easy going and complex enough to keep attention. Weird band name.
Interesting album and I’ve never heard of this band. 3.5 rounded up this time.
Very cool mix of styles!
Enjoyed it, tripped out late 60s isnt an easy listen but its fun
Far out
Very 60's. Pretty good 60's. Very Pink Floyd esque, maybe a little more mainstream sounding.
Me ha gustado bastante pese al hartazgo de hombres e inglés. Quizás sea un 3.5
Me ha gustado bastante pese al hartazgo de hombres e inglés. Quizás sea un 3.5
Amazing political songs, some serious jams, guitar licks.
I liked that more than I thought I would. They keep it weird the whole time for a fun ride Rating: 4.0
Fun album.
Bass Strings is excellent Nice 60's psychedelic album.
Pretty standard 60's Psychedelic rock. Not bad.
interesting
Weird. Not quite sure how much I liked it, but I didn't hate it. 3.6
Dig it
trippy hippy rock. Liket it
first listen very cool
Pretty fun bluesy record.
Feels like country without the twang
Heard the name before. Knew they were at Woodstock, but knew nothing about their music. The name is so bad, I only had ugly ideas about what they might sound like. It's not bad for late 60's psychedelia. The music is well done. Appropriately groovy and spacey in parts, bluesy in others. The singer's voice is fine with a good range of tones and styles. To be honest, the first time I heard it I thought the first 2-3 songs had a female vocalist. I'm fine with it being on the list. Glad I heard it. Are there are other/better examples of psychedelia? Sure. But I think this covers a couple of the variations therein. Let's call it a 4.
Good groove. Enjoyed it
Loved this one, highlights - Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine Death Sound Section 43 Organ + harmonica + early psych rock with a western twang reminds me of Ultimate Spinach
Likeable psychedelic rock with playful irony, cool sounds and a nice mixture of shorter songs and longer jams. It's not on this album, but I really like their 'I feel like I'm a fixin' to die rag'.
Fine example of the sort of 60s psych-rock stuff that I have a bit of a soft spot for if I'm in the right mood
As Neil from the young ones would say, groovy! Loved this one. Brilliant.
I like it. chill and relaxed. Nothing really blows my mind, not memorable at all, but it’s enjoyable. It is a rare album that I can enjoy more when I turn down the volume and let it run as some background music. (It is not a bad thing.. I know it kinda sounds like it is). When I turn down the volume, the bass stands out more and it helped me focus.
I really loved the vibe of this album. Based on the name I thought it would be some hillbilly shit (which I also like), but it was more smooth and groovy. Definitely a nice one.
A really good psychedelic rock album. There's a few songs that are kind of oddly placed and boring, but for the most part I really liked it. 3.5/5
I enjoyed this listen, considering I had never heard of this album, I didn't know what to expect but was very surprised. good vibes
The title fits perfectly for its sound, as the album truly feels like music meant to alter both your mind and body. Favourite Songs: Flying High, Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine, Death Sound Blues. Least Favourite Songs: Section 43, The Masked Marauder.
Lowkey trippy.
Love the vibes
That was an enjoyable psychedelic album. I particularly enjoyed the middle with Porpoise Mouth, Section 43, and Super Bird.
somewhere in between the beach boys and jimi hendrix but if they both actually knew how to make music
4/5
I enjoyed this quite a bit. Very classic psychedelic rock sound.
Very good psych rock record. I enjoyed it immensely
A pretty good album, I liked Flying High, Super Bird and Bass Strings the most.
I've never really listened to these guys, but I found them really entertaining in a similar way that Louis Prima was -- not really connecting personally but still fun to have on while driving or making lunch.
Sweet psychedelic rock from San Fran. Absolutely love.
Felt like I was on acid and LSD while listening to this. The latter parts of each sides were best.
Groovy start, not country for sure. Feels like a more electric version of what I imagine the beatles sounds like. Sweet guitar licks, decent vocals, crazy synth. Kind of bluesy by the third song. Some strange electronic in the middle. Good ol classic rock to round out the back end...lmao nevermind, shit weird
This was pretty good. The electronic organ (I think?) reminds me a bit of the Zombies and Doors, it really has that mid 60s psychedelic sound. There's some nicely textured songs here, as I write Bass Strings is a good example, the guitar sounds like it's being played in a metal bucket or something. Quite cool
If I were a child of the 60s this record might be up there next to Cream, The Animals, The Zombies... But I was not a child of the 60s, and maybe that's why I'd never even heard of this project before. I wasn't expecting to be impressed, I was expecting a fuzzy mess of individuals who liked to have a blast with their instruments. Everything felt bigger than that. Calculated freedom from beginning to end, and not just the musicianship, but the overall production. It must be an absolute blast to listen to this with a quality set of headphones. It does sound dated, it's a classic sound. It's very psychedelic, progressive, and solo-forward. Think, Tool goes back in time to influence The Beatles. 3.6/5
Not the electric i was thinking of but pleased nonetheless
I really fell into a groove with this album. And the album moves along pretty fast because of it. Even though some aod the songs are longer, I hardly noticed.
3.5 rounded up. kinda all the same, some songs were kinda annoying, but it was still a good vibe
I always thought these guys were a punchline from Woodstock but I enjoyed this quite a bit. Surprised me with how much it reminded me of the Doors.
I'm sure this would be better if I was high.
Maybe, really, just a 3 star album, but feeling generous and happy to hear some psychedelic rock that isn't the same three Jefferson Airplane or Doors songs. That said, there are a few unintentionally humorous moments, like the singer whispering "L... S... D..." repeatedly at the end of one song.
Really enjoyed this one. Classic/Origins of psychedelic music out of NorCal in the late 60's. All the songs worked and didn't feel over the top or out of place.
What the Doors could have sounded like.
Took a little to get into this but once I did enjoyed it. Very acid but pleasant on a sunny evening
I just listened to this one about a week ago. I probably play this album 3 - 6 times a year...because of the amazing grooves that start the album: Flying High, Not so sweet..., Death...by this time I am committed, happily! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Actually thought it was pretty good for some 60s psych rock that I’d never heard of. Don’t usually like this stuff
This was a bit of a revelation. A bunch of great songs set to the bckdrop of some awesome psychedelic arrangements. great singing, interesting instrumentation and a rhythm section that really cooks. 4 stars
I thought the album was gonna be bad but that death sound to the masked marauder run 🙏 would i revist the album hmm idk but there are tracks forsure i’m revisting maybe the vocals will rub off on me
How the Grateful Dead should sound in my mind
This one was a big surprise for me. I thought I knew what Country Joe & The Fish sounded like, but this is a mix of psych, blues, jazz, folk and even a little ren faire. I really enjoyed it, and would definitely listen again.
Pleasantly surprised, not really my thing but there is much to be appreciated.
This album should be the soundtrack of 60s counterculture, because it’s such a strong reflection of that era. It was definitely an influential release for psychedelic and acid rock, with a strong bluesy edge that gives the music a raw, unpolished sound.
7.5/10
4/5 - very 70 psy rock, good variations in the tracks, very in the time while being quite progressive and fresh
Such a fun sound, instruments and lyrics, comforting as in I felt like I’d heart it before til some noise would come out of the left headphone
This is #day297 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... this challenge has helped me solidify two key aspects of my mature musical taste. I'm not talking about post-punk or the edgier side of new wave, not the time for that. What I do want to say is: I love psychedelic rock and the hippie era. I'm not sure I can explain it sensibly (my wife would probably prefer it if I could), but there's just something about this era that feels so relatable. Maybe in another life, I was a hippie? Dumb thought, I know. The other thing is, I love golden age hip-hop. Anyway, Electric Music for the Mind and Body may be a little too bluesy at times, but when it leans into that psychedelic/folk kind of shit, it steals my heart. This is a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day298.
This was awesome. I had always heard of them, but never really knew what to expect and kind of had a preconceived negative assumption for some reason. Probably because of the word “country”. Anyway, was I wrong! This is great psychedelic rock… bluesy, a little out there, everything you would expect.
It’s fun and interesting. As I understood, one of the earliest psychedelic albums. Good!
Heavier and more bluesy than The Byrds, just as unmediated and pertinent as Buffalo Springfield, Country Joe & The Fish bursts in like they know they are underrated. B/c man, what a revelation, I thought they were just the most vocal anti-war activists at Woodstock. In reality, they go toe-to-toe w/ the groups I just mentioned as well as bands like Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, and Love. The music is psychedelic, but never breezing or flimsy - they have nothing to do w/ what's gossamer or insubstantial: just listen to the instrumental track 'Section 43.' Lyrically, it's outspoken but also poetic: 'In startled greens of playground grass / A child jumps rope to rhyme'; 'It's a bird it's a plane, it's a man insane, it's my president LBJ'; 'L.S.D. / L.S.D. / L.S.D.'
Seems like some heady jams from the late 60s SF psych scene and Woodstock era bands. Despite that expectation, this album was great and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Calm but interesting. Consistent.
Hippiemuziek uyt den ouden doosch, beetje blues hier, beetje peace en love daar, met z'n allen in kleermakerszit op oma's tapijtje en geef maar door die waterpijp. Op geen enkele manier verbaasde het mij dat dit uit 1967 komt. Orgeltjes, gitaar en mondharmonica, best leuk maar helaas voor de makers is deze elektrische muziek voor lichaam en geest een beetje ondergesneeuwd door ik noem een Jimi Hendrix, ik noem een The Beatles, ik noem een Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan of The Doors. Desondanks vond ik dit een vermakelijke zit.
Soms komen er in deze snoblijst van die bandjes langs, waar je echt nog nooit van hebt gehoord. Aan de ene kant is dat mooi, want daarom luisteren we deze lijst nog steeds, om verrast te worden door iets wat we nog niet kennen. Aan de andere kant worden we nogal eens teleurgesteld, omdat er een reden is dat we het niet kennen en vaak is dat omdat het ultiem kut is. Nu dus deze Country Joe, uit een periode van beatmuziek. Maar ook de psychedelische tijd van Jefferson Airplane en andere obscure bandjes uit San Francisco, lees ik op de wiki. Naast het psychedelische heeft het ook genoeg bluesy elementen, een schurend gitaartje is geen uitzondering. Het heeft af en toe wat weg van Cuby of the Doors, al is er ook af en toe carnavalesque theater of een bijzonder zenuwslopend orgel. Ik kan deze muziek altijd wel erg goed hebben merk ik, zolang het maar niet te vaag wordt en er genoeg gitaar in zit. De zang is ook niet storend en dat maakt het geheel best fijn om te luisteren. Het is zeker gedateerd, je hoort dat het uit die Woodstock periode komt, maar dat is helemaal niet erg. Vermakelijke 4 sterren.
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
3.5 Seemed like this album was either highly influential or a complete ripoff of what was going on at the time, depending on when it was released. I enjoyed it
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
i love 60s psych music and of course know country joe and the fish from their iconic performance at woodstock, but i had never actually sat down and listened to this album. there is some very cool, very 1967 psych rock here. in particular, 'not so sweet martha lorraine' is a classic of the genre and still sounds great. unfortunately with the good is a whole lot of very uninteresting, more sparce psychedelic 'jams' that really drag this album down. what could be a fun psych album just gets too in the weeds with tracks like 'section 43' and 'grace.' still, there's nothing here that i would call bad, it's just i think it could be better.
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.
Some soulful tunes and funk
Good album. This is a cool early psychedelic album. Arrangements are really interesting. ****
This is a side to classic rock that I really don't see enough of
Okaish psychedelic Rock. Fine as background music.
Competent but not that interesting. Decent early psych.
One of the better psychedelic blues albums I've heard. Very Doorsy
I peaked at the global reviews before listening to this one and so, maybe it's because I had lower expectations, but I enjoyed this album quite a bit. The Super Bird song is pretty cool with its Marvel references from a time way before it became mainstream. Other than that, I really liked Porpoise Mouth, The Masked Maurader, and especially Grace. Pretty cool album for pysch rock.
One of the best albums to capture. The times
This album took me completely by surprise! Never heard of this band before and now I’m in love!
Country Joe & The Fish were one of the great bands of 60's psychedelia that didn't become very famous. A politically-motivated, Bay area group that combined folk, blues, The band was best known for their anti-Vietnam war anthem, "I feel like I'm Fixing to Die Rag," but it was left off of this album. Electric Music for The Mind and Body is their debut, and may be their best work. Country Joe is an excellent example of late 60's blues/rock, just not a particularly famous one.
Good songs with some unique sounds and effects that add to the experience.
Teška hipija a. Drugi antivijetnamski je još i veća
Woodstock vibes
Re-listening now, will need to listen again but it's good stuff.
The songs are good, I just wish they had practiced a bit more before they recorded, it would've been much better if the recordings were tighter together.
Such an interesting album to listen to. There are several parts that lose my interest because it feels like they're searching for the strangest sound they can make rather than anything of musical value. But on the whole, this treatment of blues will always get me out of my seat. Favorite track: Death Sound
I only know Country Joe from Woodstock so didn’t know what to expect. I really liked the blend of psychedelic rock with country/americana sounds. If I didn’t know what I was listening to I would have thought the instrumental was by the Doors with Ray Maranzak playing organ. Also, modern enough that Porpoise Mouth could have just been released by the Decemberists.
Very 60s but a lot of fun. Really reminded me of the Jefferson Airplane album we heard and David Crosby’s big solo album. I don’t think I’d honestly relisten but I didn’t hate it.
Jam band, trippy
Oh nice, a surprising and fun record right aligned with the musical mood I’m in today.
Rock psicodélico sesentero. Está bien. Venga, un 4.
Cool psych music
Look, we get so many of these '60s psych rock type projects, it's hard to keep them straight. And this one came immediately after Trout Mask Replica, so the bar for unique is pretty high. That said, this is a solid album. The one thing that really set this one apart for me was the guitar work, there are some excellent guitar solos peppered throughout this thing, not just some drugged out hippies messing around. I dig it. Favorite tracks: Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine, Death Sound, Love, Bass Strings, Grace. Album art: Actually a great one, we've got a quadrant of band photos I believe, framed in this very old-school folk/psych style. A lot going on here, but it's goes together well. 4/5
It was aok
Enjoyed the two listens. Some really good blues tracks. 4/5!
fucking love this album. i love psychedelic rock and this set of tracks encapsulates it perfectly.
Already had this album in my favorites. More great psychedelic music. I can see why many don't like this but it's one of my favorite genres.
Nice! Liked that it had some folk vibes. Easy listen
Just quality. Goof liked it as well. Dork enjoys Porpoise Mouth ("even though it's rude and has the word erect in it") and Flying High.
One of the first psychedelic albums to come out of the San Francisco scene. The album is informed mostly by blues and folk which is played through highly distorted guitars. It is also influenced by eastern music. This album stands above overtly commercial albums of the era (like Paul Revere and the Raiders) and is interesting to listen to. This band gets overshadowed by later San Francisco based bands like the Grateful Dead, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and Jefferson Airplane, but Country Joe and the Fish deserve their place as a pioneering psychadelic rock band. This album does date itself especially with references to LBJ and the whispered "L.S.D." at the end of 'Bass Strings.'
I found how they say “Lorraine” quite funny - entertaining/playful lyrics and a psychedelic sound to it emphasised the reverb and overdrive in the electric instruments (afterall, it’s electric music for the mind & body). Liked the use of the organ too. Solid album but misses on the 5, some weak tracks including the instrumental one imo
I really liked this honestly. Very unpolished, but that's half the charm of these types of albums. I'll come back to this one.
Great at Woodstock. Debut album before equally great. Psychedelic rock.
Positively surprised by this one: good combination of compact songs and elongated psychedelica.
Very nice. I like vietnam war era music
This is their best album-yes, it's dated, but that doesn't take away from the sounds they created at the time. So different from anything being put out today.
Pretty groovy, baby. Bit like The Doors
4.0
This actually benefited from being played three times today. I enjoyed it more as the day went on, and got into the psychedelic stoner groove.
Totally psychedelic, man.
Why do I feel like dropping acid all of a sudden? This was a fun and fine trip of a listen today.
Way ahead of its' time, cracking!
This was great - will definitely give it another spin
Right up my alley! Psychedelic, funky, cool. Will add this to my rotation!
Really like the organ on Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine -- feels really amateur in a good way. LIked this much more than I expected to.
cooooool vibe
I've never heard anything from this album, never even heard of Country Joe & The Fish. I was certainly worried that this would end up being a country album but I was pleasantly surprised. This is just some fun 60s psych rock. It's groovy and bluesy and just fun to sit back and chill with. Considering it's 60s psych rock I imagine it was made to be enjoyed on acid, but I can confirm it's a pleasant listen while sober too. Some of the American politics in the lyricism is lost on me though. Generally it feels like a darker and more melancholy take on the genre but it's pretty great. Favourite: Death Sound
This sounds like a mix of early Dead and Velvet Underground. While the musicianship isn’t quite on the level of other early psychedelia I was deeply impressed by the lyricism
Sloppadelica
Knew very little about them including style of music. I knew they played Woodstock but that’s about it. Early psychedelic stuff. Quite interesting and worth a listen.
Late 60's San Francisco sound from Joe and the Fish. It's full of peace and love and a touch of the brown acid. Very good stuff. The music, I mean...not necessarily the acid. But, hey man, it's your trip.
I really like their sound. The songwriting isn't that great, and maybe that's why they're not really remembered all that well compared to their colleagues. Best track: Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine
Lots of good tracks, interesting 60s vibe. Probably not the best album in this style I've listened to, but knowing they were one of the first to do it gets an extra star
Fantastic bluesy album with some psychedelic influences
What an awesome surprise of an album. Guess they didn’t like LBJ much?
It was pretty good. I'd listen to it again. Wasn't my absolute favorite, but it had some tracks to listen to again.
4.0 - Considering some other 1967 releases ("Sgt. Pepper's", "Velvet Underground And Nico", Doors' debut, "Surrealistic Pillow", "Are You Experienced") it's no wonder this records feels like a footnote. Still, it certainly outshines other albums within the psychedelic canon (see "The 13th Floor Elevators"). This feels like a complete and cohesive artifact of the Haight-Ashbury sound and there are genuinely trippy, LSD-laden jams. Particularly, "Porpoise Mouth" and "Section 43" create a swirly, colorful atmosphere in the middle. "Bass Strings" is also a highlight.
Very good, I liked it quite a bit
A bit of psych a day keeps the doctor away.
Gezellig.
Debuutalbum van psychedelica-pioneer Country Joe & The Fish, en een van de eerste albums binnen het genre uit San Francisco. Sterke tracklist, goed luisterbaar. leukste nummer: Love Het nummer "Grace" is een hommage aan leadzangeres Grace Slick van Jefferson Airplane.
Best: Super Bird Worst: Grace
Didn't know a single thing about this but it's rather good psychedelia with Flying High the best of a decent bunch.
A little bit of a lot of genres
Far out man
Pluspunkt: erinnert mi an The Doors Punktabzug: erinnert mi an The Doors
Such a fun album. Provides the perfect soundtrack for when structures are crumbling around you and you need to transform trauma into hilarity!
Brilliant! I enjoyed the vibe
guitar riffs
I was initially not excited for an album by a band named "Country Joe and The Fish", but this album was actually really good. Even when it was just instrumental pieces, I was entertained, which can't be said for many psychedelic rock albums. It's very close to a five stars, but I just didn't love it enough to give it such a rating. Even so, there were quite a few really good songs on here, especially right at the end of the album, and was nothing I didn't like. Grace gave me chills, which a song has never really done to me before. It's an amazing song. My favourite songs were Grace, The Masked Marauder, and Bass Strings.
This album was so damn trippy...but I think I loved it musically. I honestly have no idea why because this spectrum of music usually turns me off. Favorite track: Section 43
One of those songs that will be around forever for good reason.
Ok, this was the start of something. It was the beginning of something. An era. A generation. And I get it.
Rock psicodélico sesentero. Está bien. Venga, un 4.
Et rikt album, et ekte bøljeband band.
This was cool! Not very polished or well-produced, but the guitar was great and the vibes were fun, not to mention good songs. Better than I expected for sure.
Good songs throughout, and a cohesive sound that is perfect for an evening on a porch or a leisurely drive. Missing the special something to pump it for me, but still really good.
Yes. Could listen to this album a bunch. Every song isn't great but i like the twang and The vocals are appealing
The name of the album and the band, combined with the album cover, gave me a pretty clear idea of what the music would be. It did not disappoint.
I'm listening to this record on the way back from teaching some disabled children how to swim. It's really cheered me up after a few of the weaker children drowned when I dunked them under the surface. Well done, Joe & The Fish, you've really saved my weekend.
Acid soaked bluesy Summer of Love goodness.
Pretty basic blues album, liked the jams a lot
used to listen to my dad's Country Joe records when I was a kid, though I'd never heard this one. Not in love with all the songs but the bluesy psychedelic thing is pretty great.
Didn't really know what to expect, but I liked this!
Unusually unknown bluesy grooves - really enjoyed it. It is a very much a period piece but there are some tracks here that really groove
A hair greasy and honky for one's tastes, but the bluesy mood and tempos are well sustained and the cuts land coherently and, for the most part, effectively. One worried about the novelty act factor (partly because of the silly name), which never materializes so score one for low expectations. "Sad and Lonely Times" is terrific. There is overindexing on the organ on the latter half of the record, which overreaches generally. But, as a whole, the album works well as a jaunty melding of blues and psychedelia and just a touch of country (alas, the silly name works out to be inapt). Glad to have heard.
A good album, but the styles of the songs vary too much, from simple rock'n'roll and blues rock to tracks that lean into folk and prog.
This is my type of music. Music like this reminds me we all have different tastes in music and so it's ok for most people to like Drake and for just me to like Country Joe or Pere Ubu. The stereo mixing makes it engaging to pinpoint locations of the surreal noises around your room, especially if you're high. It's cool and bluesy, which makes it chiller to listen to compared to the heavier more garage-influenced acid rock of their contemporaries (e.g. Electric Prunes, Big Brother). In a lot of ways this is like a slightly less experimental and more accessible United States of America. A never-ending surplus of fun and surprising moments. I like his dreamy voice and share of high pitched guitars. Lots of variety, just listen to the difference from the acid "Love" (performed at Woodstock alongside the first 2) to the surreal "Bass Strings" to the whimsical "Masked Marauder." Their use of silence and sharp transitions allows these different styles to be coherent and smooth rather than harsh. Will seek out again. Favorites: Flying High, Lorraine, Porpoise Mouth, Bass Strings, Masked Marauder, Grace
I found this quite enjoyable and just a nice relaxing curiousity. Faves: Flying High, Super Bird
There are albums I listen to twice because I really enjoyed them and albums I listen to twice because I feel like I wasn't listening to/for the right things. This one falls into both.
This album unlocks a new feature on Spotify that makes the surroundings smell like Patchouli...
Very nice discovery. I like the mix of genres in this one.
As with all output of the prime American Psychedelic era (a really narrow window actually) it’s hard not to judge it in context of that grim looming reality that Hunter S. Thompson described so thoroughly- that this wave would very shortly break, and roll back. For me anyway it makes some of the most intolerable Hippie Shit (e.g. The Masked Marauder) grate a little more. Still, the energy and innovation here are real.
Here's another one that I never heard and that I was meaning to check out for quite some time now. Thanks, 1001 Albums Generator. It doesn't sound like anything I was expecting. In the end there was equal parts deception and excitement. The album doesn't sound as filthy as I thought it would. What I hear is something like The Doors with a country singer (which I somehow like) and a little too much white blues (which I dislike), but it is okay. It's not the Buffalo Springfield and it is not the 13th Floor Elevators, but there is a garage undercurrent that I appreciate, and it might be the predecessor of both, and the execution is far more compelling than say Big Brother And The Holding Co. It is an interesting example of early San Francisco psychedelia in any case, and I will give Country Joe & The Fish that. A record with a historical importance that is somehow enjoyable, but I am still to decide whether or not is an album to own.
At first listen, they sound like Cream. Not a bad thing. I was concerned I was getting yet another ridiculous electric, rave album, but this is refreshingly psychedelic, bluesy rock. There's also a Three Dog Night/The Guess Who. Overall, this album clicks. It also doesn't overstay its welcome at 44 minutes. In hindsight, I see why this album makes the list. Taking into consideration that this is 1967, the band and the album are part of a musical movement, but while they didn't rise to the mainstream enough for me to hear them, they clearly innovated and inspired others who did. Section 43 sounds familiar - and it has a real vibe to it that I imagine played well to Doors audiences. This album is pretty slick.
Really solid overall. I especially like "Sad And Lonely Times" and "Porpoise Mouth"
04/14/22
Listened Before? N WOW! Another psychadelic surprise for me! Didn't expect to like this one as much as I did. Putting it into rotation. Added to Library? Y Songs added to Playlist: Death Sound, Porpoise Mouth
To 5-star or not to 5-star: aye, that's the dilemma. I suppose I need to evacuate some sputum of criticism before I praise. The forays into blues perpetrate a minor incident of white-rocker-trying-to-sing-blues-without-suficient-force-or-authenticity, but in this case it's in no way an unforgivable offence. And thankfully so, because a lot of the album works like a bastard. The initiated will detect a similar vibe to the Doors' first album; two of the main differences is that this lacks the occasional European vibe the Doors generates, and also that Jim Morrison was one of the greatest white blues-hollerers. Of course, the all-American nature of Electric Music for the Mind and Body is hardly a reason to lambaste the album, and it's pleasantly eclectic within its parochialism. Aside from nascent psychedelic rock we have the aforementioned blues, but also pop touches, straight-up rock, some country twangs and mild Dylanesque wit. That said, the album reaches its apex towards the end, where it gets properly psychedelic; LSD explorations are the reason you listen to this. And I was prepared to give it five stars, but a final listen has demonstrated that the album doesn't cohere enough, that the poppiest number is somewhat weak, and by bringing up the Doors' first album, I raised a beast that the album cannot hope to vanquish. 4-and-a-half stars. That, my friends, is hesitancy captured by the graphical representation of luminous celestial entities.
Was expecting it to be more experimental silly psychedelic type sounds but was rather straight forward. Overall pretty enjoyable. Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine stood out for having a great groove.
I liked this album and admittedly have not listened to hardly any country joe. It was a nice change of pace to hear some good old psychedelic rock. Bet this was a fun band to see live.
I LOVE this style of music and this is a great find that I'll have to go back to again and again! The singer has a wonderful tone of voice and the music has a great groove!
I sort of feel this has been overshadowed by what came after, so it's important to remember this did come first.
Surprised by this hidden gem. The harmonica in section 43 is superb, love is a beautiful sound, Death Sound is haunting. Awesome album and pscyhrock at its finest.
A surprisingly great album. I wasn't expecting psych rock from a group called Country Joe and the Fish, but this record blew me away. Section 43 is beautiful, and every other track is similarly good.
they're jammin. bluesy with a country twang. nice lead guitar work. a bit psychedelic at times. i liked the keyboard sound. I liked the track Bass Strings a lot. Section 43 was a cool instrumental. At first it was a little too country for me but i liked it as it progressed and got more psychedelic
Of it's time in the best way, that great late 60's political idealism mixed with psychedelia. Had never heard any of this before, but I may be a new fan.
I liked this one! Probably a 3.5 but I was into the psychedelic sound and it was deep and complex. Plus there was something a little extra/different with it. A few good stories in the songs and they were all solid until the last one. Would listen again easily so I'll bump up to 4.
I was pretty sure by the album cover that I would be listening to some old psychedlic rock on this one, and that was correct. I also expected that I wouldn't be fond of it. However, I found myself liking the bluesey/psych fusion of it with the occasional twangy guitar. If they had refined this a bit more, could have seen it make a 5. Favorite songs - Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine, Super Bird, but also Love. As is, 3.6/5
Loved the politics
Yeah I was into this. Blusey aand cool
Liked this a lot. Great guitar, some powerful lyrics, good sound. A K-Town Banger in my opinion.
Pretty chill trippy vibes
Good jams!!
Great psych album, beyter than early dead.
Messy, chaotic, weirdly mastered, and I loved it. I like this kind of fail music.
Nice, some solid 60’s acid/psych rock, kinda reminds me of the doors. Standouts are Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine, Death Sound and Grace.
Flying High - 3/5 Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine - 3/5 Death Sound Blues - 3/5 Happiness Is a Porpoise Mouth - 3/5 Section 43 - 3.5/5 Super Bird - 2.5/5 Sad and Lonely Times - 3/5 Love - 3/5 Bass Strings - 3/5 The Masked Marauder - 3/5 Grace - 3.5/5 I feel like I need to be on whatever they smoked making this to enjoy this. Most of the songs feel the same, even though this is one of the more landmark albums of the psychedelic rock explosion of the late 60's. That dig at LBJ in Super Bird was also really stupid. Overall: 3/5 Favorites: Section 43, Grace
It's pretty good. Very psychedelic, but doesn't find a lot of catchy melodies.
There's some bangers here, cool production on a couple songs but overall definitely really boring and it's like 2/3 filler
So it's not a trailblazer, but early on this delivers some fine blues-based psychadelic rock before drifting off up its own backside for some of the later tracks.
First psychedelic band and album, out of SF, sounds a ton like early Dead. Enjoyed Flying High and Death Sound. The rest is a little forgettable, but undoubtedly a building block for stuff I like today.
Well, this is certainly making interesting use of stereo sound. I feel like this wants to be a front channel and a back channel or something instead of left and right, which is certainly a way to use stereo. I had no idea what I was going to be getting with this. About all I knew was that it was going to be psychedelic, but that’s obvious from the cover. So we open with a hitchhiker in the rain getting high before before getting on a plane, and then… something very very very dark what. Wow. A song about an archetypal goth black widow fortuneteller. OK, this album went hard dark fast. And then a porpoise mouth. Yesterday, I had an album with straightforward lyrics and confusing music. Today I have an album with straightforward music and confusing lyrics. “I hunger for your porpoise mouth.” wat. One of the things I’m realizing as part of this project is just how few songs I’ve actually paid close attention to the lyrics of. Not that I know this band, but I’ve heard plenty of psychedelic music over the years, and I don’t think I’d realized just how completely bonkers some of this is. Like… I feel like “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” is positively sane, comparatively. “Section 43” is nice, though. Not sure why it’s only one track when it feels like it’s a bunch of short instrumental pieces. There is a lot to like here. I mean, I don’t know what to make of the song about superheroes getting LBJ high, but “Sad and Lonely Times” features some duet action that feels pretty wonderful. The track order was supposedly selected so that each side of the album started out more… conventional… and got more psychedelic as the needle approached the center of the vinyl. Yes. Yes, this was successfully done. We’ll open the mind and drop acid with LBJ and wander into the desert and become a wandering mystic and and and and and ☮️ The masked marauder is high and tripping through a field of daisies, I guess. I can see listening to some of the tracks here again, but some of them are also decidedly, um… I think I would need to be as high as the musicians to enjoy them properly. 5.5/10
Initially put off by the album title and artist name. As it turns out, it's not bad.
Not bad. If I were 10 years older when this was released it would probably have been something I would have been in to.
Enjoyed this one overall but man do some of the guitars sound shrill throughout this album. I liked it more than I didn't and while nothing really caught my ear that would make me want to listen to it more than a couple times through, I don't think its bad music. Just not.... necessary to listen to as the book this is based on would suggest.
Really an album of it's time, for better or worse. I like how impactful the guitar and bass sound. The mixing is kind of shit and of it's time, but it does make for a more raw recording. I enjoy it, but it does have flaws. It lacks a real hit first and foremost, which is something most other late 60's American Psych Rock bands could muster on their most famous album. The one and only fish chant isn't on here :(. Quite a bit of this album feels like stretched out instrument noodling too. A number of songs that don't really go anywhere or don't do much.
LSD, etc, etc
A lot more enjoyable than some of the other albums on this list
Meh is meh
Usually I like psychedelic stuff and I did like this but it was kinda boring which is the one thing psychedelic should never be. Just nothing that interesting happened throughout any of the album.
Not bad. Basic psychedelic rock without much to distinguish it from the rest of the genre.
Really enjoyed parts of this but not all
I thought this was fun!
Kinda fun at the time but not super memorable.
I liked the shuffle playlist after this album finished more than the album itself. Always gonna enjoy psychedelic rock though.
Didn't love the porpoise mouth lyrics but otherwise a pretty chill album.
Great psych-rock album. Has all of the hallmarks of the Bay Area from the late 60s. Not typically my genre to enjoy, but I liked it well enough.
Nulla di eccezionale
I'm a sucker for rinky-dink psychedelic organ so this hits my buttons, but the bloozier numbers take me out of it.
Released in 1967. I wonder if this album was a vanguard for the other psychedelic hippie groups that would become popular leading up to Woodstock. Something like the first Soundgarden and Alice In Chains albums signaling the upcoming new sound and style of guitar bands for the new generation. For my taste, Electric Music For The Mind And Body leans too heavily into the 12-bar blues for me to really love this.
good