Reviews (page 6 of 8)
It opens really strong with "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)," and if it had managed to stay on that course for its full half-hour runtime - sharp, quasi-spooky psychedelic rock - I think this could've been really good. But, no, it's a Frankenstein's monster stitched from 2 or 3 identities. And "The Toonerville Trolley" is the abnormal brain? For a brief moment when I first saw this, the funny name and cover image made me think this might be some kind of fake band or parody album.
Another underwhelming 60’s rock band
None of these are essential listening. Sort of dig the percussion sounds on lovin’ me more
This was strange. I liked Luvin. Loved the length
Det är inte så kul. Det här 60-tals psych soundet har man hört tusen gånger känns det som. Och det här var väl inte direkt nåt av dom bättre
Combien d'albums de psychédélique ça nous prend pour comprendre que c'est un style influent dans l'histoire de la musique ? Il n'y avait pas que ça qui se faisait pendant ces années. Cet album ne vient pas vraiment faire quoique ce soit de différent que beaucoup d'autres dans cette liste ne fait pas déjà. 4/10
Not great. Not terrible.
Very solid album, was a fun listen from start to finish. Some tempo changes here and there were jarring but aside from that I enjoyed the album. 8/10
Starts good but ends very mediocre. Still a pretty boring album at that.
#344. Unsurprisingly the two songs listed on the album cover were the best ones. I quite like Get Me to the World on Time. The rest of it was alright, if a bit out there, but Toonerville Trolley I could have done without, if we're being honest 3/5: fine? Song added to playlist: Get Me to the World on Time I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
nice 60s rock
5.5/10
Someone needed to get all of these 1967 bands and gently suggest that their personal and unique journeys into acid-induced psychedelia had...left them all sounding the same. This was a total pastiche tbh.
Neat
Fairly generic late 60's psychedelic rock. Similar to the Zombies, the Animals, the Turtles, etc. Not a bad listen.
Mediocre outside of that one song
This album cannot settle on if it wants to be zany psych journey or a coy whimsical balladry a la the Kinks.
It was really good, but I had Os Mutantes yesterday and they did it better, sadly. Unfortunate scheduling snafu there.
3.5 stars. A lot of it isn't memorable, but the early psychedelic rock dabbling in "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)" and "Get Me to the World On Time" are great.
This one was slightly creepy in some parts 2 ⭐️
Aika sekametelisoppa, kaipasin koherenssia. A-puoli kyllä yllätti, etenkin avausbiisissä oli voimaa! Myös hyvä että ovat keskiaika- eli klavikordi(?)puolella historiaa eivätkä hallusinointi-intiapuolella. Ihan mielenkiintoinen. Tokalla kuuntelukerralla ehkä jopa 3, mutta nyt b-puolen sekoilu vetää alaspäin.
Bändin psykedeliaksi identifioituva hauskanpito kohtaa kuulijan historiallisen tietoisuuden: hippejä, kai. Tämä oli kiva käydä kerran läpi, ja avausraidan kuuntelin uudelleen (en varmistunut laadusta). 2+
Good start bad end
It sounds British but it’s not - a good psychedelic album with a dark bite - but st the same time doesn’t feel like it holds up as a peer to many of the records here.
I don't get this choice at all. I know I don't like the psych rock genre, but even so this feels simplistic and tame as hell.
Generic60s psychedelic pop
Between garage and pysychedelic rock fits a Vaudeville Musical number
This one starts off strong, but kinda peters out as it goes on. It is a rather short listen though, so it doesn't have time to get boring, but it does end up as less interesting than it could have been.
What an odd little album. I rather liked some of the tracks and others seemed silly, like songs for children.
Had to listen to it twice, but I really dig it.
didn't especially enjoy
Another album from the late 60s Psychedelic bandwagon. This one is as transparents as the others (Country Joe, USA etc.) I think, but I slightly prefer it due to it wearing its British Beat invasion influences on it's sleeve, these guys had definitely heard Dave Clark Five, The Zombies, The Animals, The Who and some other bands that start with The. But that gives it a straight ahead pop/RNB vibe with a load of wonky psyche effects over the top. A good effort for the time and probably helped set the scene but it's not exactly crucial.
Wanna be monkeys.
This is of mild interest at best, and certainly non-essential. Despite the most unfortunate moniker and title, the first few cuts are solid ‘60s pop, getting things off to a promising start with an irresistibly hooky opener and the credibly dreamy “Onie” and the next cut sounding for all the world like Sonic Youth’s biggest hit. Then it gets pretty cringey pretty quickly, and veering irreversibly away from the mildly hip to the irredeemably square (see horns on “Quarter to Nine” and strings + harpsichord on “Counting House”). The jazzy bits are a somewhat welcome respite but not all that convincing or well executed— they are out of place basically. “World On Time” isn’t terrible. The closing trolley song is just awful, one of the more ill-advised tracks on any record in this entire list, easily worth a full point deduction. One assumes that was foisted on the lads by the professional songwriters they were assigned. Still, hard as one tries, it's difficult to see past what’s just about the dumbest band name ever (a half-point penalty is merited). Couldn’t have these cats come up with something better? Almost anything — the Electric Kumquats, anyone? — would have done
Complete and utter dogshit. No musical quality that I can discern.
Extra star for the name, but pretty beige
You'd have to be on something really crazy to listen to this - and the '60s are so far away
Hodge-podge of songs with undercurrent of psychedelia: singalong psychedelia, sexy psychedelia, angry psychedelia. Favorite track: Try Me on for Size.
Not bad kid
Solid 3 pistettä mutta viimeisen biisin sekoilu laskee arvisanan nelosesta. Vähän kuin Beatles mutta ilkeämpi. 3/5
Tää jäi vähän tylsäksi. 60-luvulta on jäänyt paljon musiikkia tällekin listalle, ja niiden joukosta ei erotu edukseen.
Competent but emphatically unexciting music. Credit where it's due: they tried really, really hard to make interesting choices here. On occasion it's actually a bit insufferable. I am not surprised I haven't heard of them before and don't expect to hear of them again. Highlight: Onie
The Electric Prunes, sometimes referred to as I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night), is the debut album by the Electric Prunes, originally released in 1967. I first heard about the Electric Prunes when I was getting into psychedelic music. I picked up a copy of Nuggets, which is a compilation of lesser known 60s psychedelic/garage tracks. The opening track was I Had Too Much to Dream. I still remember that feeling of hearing that opening tremolo-drenched guitar riff for the first time. I knew I was hooked on psychedelic music. I immediately sought out a copy of their debut record. I was able to grab a mono copy for fairly cheap. Side A of the record is great. It strikes that perfect balance between psychedelic and garage rock. Side B is where this record falls a bit flat. It still has some good garage tracks like "Get Me to the World on Time" and "Try Me on for Size". The rest of the tracks are pretty week and were essentially used as filler. Still giving 4 stars due to the weight of that opening track alone.
These guys could’ve used some prunes, they sound constipated. 2.3 stars
Not bad, not great
How have I never heard of this band? That’s because they suck.
Interesting sound. Pretty bland psychedelic
A pretty solid 60s garage rock album heavily lifted by the two singles off of it - 'i had too much to dream (last night)' and 'get me to the world on time.' i'm a fan of this era of music so i enjoyed myself, but really in the grand scheme of things this is a pretty forgettable album. still, it's not bad and is one of the more solid, less hit-or-miss garage band albums of the era.
A very decent album and well worth a listen. Really good '60s psychedelic rock. At the same time, you could quite happily live without having heard it and it is just another technicolour, swirly mosaic in the music of the time, albeit a pretty mosaic.
For a moment I thought this was going to be a bit of an undiscovered gem, a bedfellow of Forever Changes by Love (which is one of my favourite albums) But then it gets out of that bed and into one that is twee and more than a little frustrating. Some good tracks but plenty that you only need to hear once (if that)
70s pop that doesn’t jump out enough for me.
-this album is pretty decent -it has some good songs, but some were there for filler -this sounds so 60s -didn't really age well -production is average -favorite songs: I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night), Onie (<3), The King Is In The Counting House, Luvin' -least favorite song: The Toonerville Trolley
It’s fine, but pretty unremarkable. They would have been a good opening band for the Doors.
it was fine. i wasn't loving it but it was a fine album. that was, until i got to the last song. by golly is right. toonerville trolly is either troll or just filler. shouldn't have made the cut.
They have an awful name But some great tunes Ladies and gentlemen The Electric Prunes
Loved parts of this with vampiric gypsy guitar. Weird children's tunes not so much
Half-baked.
STANDOUTS: none. OVERALL: 2/5; I saw the band name and expected exactly this.
Short and sweet. Sold to the Highest Bidder stood out most to me.
This album is a little uneven, with some tracks feeling like fairly standard ‘60s recordings, but the sonic innovations and plethora of great ideas make this very enjoyable from front to back.
Preetty cool 3/5
Never heard of these guys. Not bad.
I want to get off the Toonerville Trolley
Ehhhhh this isn't very good, mostly because of the vocals.
yikes. Ranges from generic 60s poprock to basically children's music??
I'm glad this album exists for the people who love it. I'm just not one of them. It was painful earbleed music.
There's enough psychedelic rock on the list already, thanks. No need for this annoying and uninspired offering. Keep your prunes acoustic. Or don't let your plums dry out.
Way too much oscillation in the effects. It’s not that groovy man.
When the reissue came out a few months ago (in 2024) on vinyl, I first listened to it on Qobuz. It was okay, not sure if it was vinyl-worthy for me.
Not the most polished album but I quite enjoy the 60s psychedelic sound
a flat two stars. almost a 1, but a 2. I found nothing redeeming about this album except relief that there wasn't a godawful tribute bit at the end with raw demos of the songs.
Not bad 3.3
this sucks and i dont know if it had to be that way
3 stars for the music, 1 star for belonging on this list. The fuzzy sound was already one before and better by the yardbirds. Don't know why these people would be influential
Not for me, would probably put it on if not much else was an option, but the album didn't stand out to me. First thought was that it's something I would hear in a store.
"Get me to the world on time" is a nice song, but otherwise not an album I would listen to again on purpose... Not a bad album, just a bit boring 2/5
Somehow this both sounds very much like late 60's, but also like it could have been from the 90's, and I don't know if that's a unique thing or if I've just never known that the 90's and 60's shared a lot of sound. I've never really been big on psychedelic-rock so this album which I believe is supposed to be important for the genre suffers subjectively in that. Anyway in regard to content of the album I was mostly just a bit bored a lot of the time. Standouts I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night) The King Is in the Counting House Sold to the Highest Bidder 3/5
Not at all my cup of tea. I had a hard time listening through, to be honest, and I got bored with it fairly quickly. If saying anything positive, the lyrics to \"Try me out for size\" was kind of clever and the best one of them in overall composition for my taste.
I enjoyed the first song and then got bored.
Kinda weird but not the worst.
nothing special but it was a fine listen. quick and easy
???
I Had Too Much to Dream
Was not expecting this album to be as enjoyable (or as short) as it is.
Oh good! Another late 60’s rock album.
Yet another entry in the "too many '60s psych rock albums" category. I definitely don't hate this one, and wouldn't say it's bad, but good lord I never thought I would be this OVER IT. We get it, LSD right? Hippies? Okay, cool, whatever. You'll never be the Doors, or Jimi Hendrix, or any of the other 15-20 more impressive psych rock acts that we've certainly had on here. We do not need to be this far in the weeds, especially when there are way better albums out there. Favorite tracks: Train for Tomorrow, Luvin. Album art: Band photo, looks cool, they look pretty cool but also kind of square. I dig it. I like the inset, art within the art, kind of thing going on. Wish I wasn't so fatigued about '60s rock to enjoy this more, then again, there's better stuff out there. Cover's cool though. 2.5/5
Very basic 60s music.
Psychedelic 60s , some of it is ok,some of it blows, all of it sounds dated
Day 25 - June 26, 2024 What the fuck? Very front heavy album. 3/5
I'm not feeling this, but I'm sure people felt electrified back in the 60s listening to this.
Tonally a bit all over the place but a bunch of fun songs
60s Psychedelia, garage sound, fuzzy baselines, gravelly vocals, and the coolest freakin' guitar throughout....just a really fun ride! Highlights... Don't understand how "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)" didn't become a hit (or stay one as a representation of the ear). Love the second half of "Train for Tomorrow" The blues guitar licks on "Luvin" The middle eastern influence on "Sold to the Highest Bidder" "Quarter to Nine" and "Toonerville Trolley" are fun, lighthearted diversions that complement the album Also, you'll hear hints of Beatles, Stones, Beach Boys and Doors influence throughout. Great discovery! 4 stars
idk theyre decent. i dont feel like it was necessary 2.5/5
### In-Depth Review of "The Electric Prunes" by The Electric Prunes #### Overview "The Electric Prunes," released in 1967, is the debut album by the American psychedelic rock band The Electric Prunes. It is a seminal work that captures the spirit of the late 1960s with its experimental sound, innovative production techniques, and eclectic mix of genres. This review will delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, providing a comprehensive analysis of its strengths and weaknesses. #### Lyrics ##### Themes and Content The lyrics of "The Electric Prunes" reflect the psychedelic era’s preoccupation with consciousness expansion, existential musings, and surreal imagery. Songs like "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)" and "Get Me to the World on Time" explore themes of altered states of mind and the desire for escape from mundane reality. The lyrics often evoke a sense of confusion and disorientation, mirroring the hallucinogenic experiences associated with the time. ##### Analysis - **"I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)"**: This track stands out for its vivid depiction of a psychedelic experience, with lyrics that describe a dream-like state filled with surreal and haunting imagery. - **"Are You Lovin' Me More (But Enjoying It Less)"**: This song presents a more straightforward rock narrative, discussing romantic disillusionment and emotional detachment. - **"Sold to the Highest Bidder"**: Here, the lyrics delve into themes of commodification and loss of identity, using auction metaphors to critique societal values. ##### Pros and Cons - **Pros**: The lyrics effectively capture the zeitgeist of the 1960s psychedelic movement. They are imaginative and evocative, contributing significantly to the album’s overall atmosphere. - **Cons**: At times, the lyrics can be overly abstract and obscure, potentially alienating listeners who prefer more concrete storytelling. #### Music ##### Composition and Style Musically, "The Electric Prunes" is a blend of garage rock, psychedelic rock, and proto-punk. The album features fuzz-laden guitars, reverberating vocals, and unconventional song structures that challenge traditional pop formats. ##### Notable Tracks - **"I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)"**: The opening track is driven by a distinctive tremolo guitar riff and haunting melodies, setting the tone for the rest of the album. - **"Get Me to the World on Time"**: This song combines a frantic pace with swirling organ lines and pounding drums, epitomizing the band's energetic style. - **"Luvin'"**: With its bluesy undertones and gritty guitar work, this track showcases the band’s versatility and roots in garage rock. ##### Instrumentation The instrumentation on the album is characterized by its innovative use of effects pedals and studio techniques. The electric guitar work, in particular, stands out for its use of fuzz and reverb, creating a sound that was ahead of its time. ##### Pros and Cons - **Pros**: The album's musical experimentation is one of its strongest points. The innovative use of guitar effects and the fusion of different genres make for a captivating listening experience. - **Cons**: Some tracks may come across as disjointed or inconsistent, reflecting the band’s experimental approach that doesn't always coalesce seamlessly. #### Production ##### Techniques and Innovations The production, led by Dave Hassinger, is notable for its adventurous use of studio technology. Techniques such as reverse tape effects, layered vocals, and unconventional microphone placements contribute to the album’s distinctive sound. ##### Influence of Production The production techniques used on "The Electric Prunes" had a significant influence on subsequent psychedelic and experimental rock recordings. The album is often cited for its pioneering use of effects that would become staples in the genre. ##### Pros and Cons - **Pros**: The production is groundbreaking, contributing to the album's enduring legacy. Hassinger’s willingness to experiment helped create a unique sonic palette that distinguishes the album from its contemporaries. - **Cons**: The experimental nature of the production sometimes results in a lack of cohesion, with certain effects feeling overused or out of place. #### Themes ##### Exploration of Psychedelia The overarching theme of "The Electric Prunes" is an exploration of psychedelia in both its lyrical content and musical composition. The album seeks to replicate and evoke the experiences associated with psychedelic drug use and the broader counterculture movement. ##### Social and Cultural Commentary Beyond psychedelia, the album also touches on themes of social alienation, romantic disillusionment, and existential inquiry. These themes resonate with the countercultural questioning of mainstream values and norms prevalent during the 1960s. ##### Pros and Cons - **Pros**: The thematic consistency of the album helps to create a cohesive artistic statement. The exploration of psychedelia is handled with creativity and depth, making the album a significant cultural artifact. - **Cons**: The heavy reliance on psychedelic themes may limit the album’s appeal to listeners outside the countercultural sphere or those unfamiliar with the context of the 1960s. #### Influence ##### Impact on Psychedelic Rock "The Electric Prunes" is considered a foundational album in the development of psychedelic rock. Its innovative use of effects and studio techniques paved the way for future artists in the genre, influencing bands like The 13th Floor Elevators and early Pink Floyd. ##### Legacy The album’s legacy extends beyond its immediate impact on music. It is often cited in discussions of the 1960s counterculture and is included in various retrospectives of important psychedelic recordings. The song "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)" is particularly noted as a classic of the genre. ##### Pros and Cons - **Pros**: The album’s influence on psychedelic rock and its enduring legacy as a cultural artifact are significant strengths. Its pioneering spirit continues to inspire musicians and music enthusiasts. - **Cons**: Despite its influence, the album never achieved the commercial success of some of its contemporaries, which may limit its recognition outside of dedicated psychedelic rock circles. ### Conclusion #### Pros - **Innovative Production**: The album’s use of pioneering studio techniques and effects is a major highlight, showcasing the band's willingness to push boundaries. - **Evocative Lyrics**: The imaginative and surreal lyrics effectively capture the essence of the psychedelic experience and the cultural milieu of the 1960s. - **Musical Experimentation**: The fusion of garage rock, psychedelic rock, and proto-punk elements creates a diverse and engaging musical landscape. - **Cultural and Musical Influence**: The album has had a lasting impact on the development of psychedelic rock and remains a significant cultural artifact. #### Cons - **Lack of Cohesion**: The experimental nature of the album sometimes results in disjointed or inconsistent tracks, which can detract from the overall listening experience. - **Obscure Lyrics**: The abstract and surreal nature of the lyrics may alienate some listeners who prefer more straightforward storytelling. - **Limited Commercial Success**: Despite its influence, the album did not achieve widespread commercial success, potentially limiting its recognition outside niche circles. In summary, "The Electric Prunes" is a groundbreaking album that captures the spirit of the 1960s psychedelic movement through its innovative production, evocative lyrics, and musical experimentation. While it has its flaws, its influence on the genre and its role as a cultural artifact make it a significant and enduring work in the history of rock music.
Meh
Some delightful very sixties rock. They were the first band to use a wah-wah pedal, but not much evidence here.
like a parody of 60s music, or something from austin powers. not actively terrible, just slightly dull and basically a pastiche of everything else going on at the same time, while still retaining clear influences of 50s big band stuff. Not for me.
This was an interesting album. It started off like a standard late 60s rock album, but turned into more of an upbeat carnival vibe by the end. I really enjoyed the first half, but was a bit confused by the second.
Brilliant in a few places
This was cool. Solid work
Almost certainly sounds better in mono but not enjoyable enough to track that down and relisten.
A couple of interesting tracks on here, but mostly forgettable. In fact, I listened to this over a week ago (before going on holiday) and the only song I remember is the horrific closing track. Never again. One of my main takeaways from this challenge is that I have surprisingly low tolerance for psychedelic music. I think you had to be there!
Meh, joku tässä soundissa tökkäs suoraan vastapalloon. Levy meni railakkaasti skippaillen ohi.
Ei noussu hirveen korkeelle edes keskinkertaisessa luokassa. Basic kakkonen
Alright
couple good tracks pretty unmemorable outside of that 6/10
60s album that doesn't sound as much like the Beatles as the other 60s albums, which was nice. Other than that it was fine.
Love! It’s pretty old so I feel like the fact that I like it and it’s old makes me like it more.
Eh it was alright, didn’t really push the envelope 6/10
6/10 - It was alright to start but sold to the highest bidder caught me off guard. It kind of went hard tho. The king is in the counting house was so old sounding but also did not really have any melody. It was sort of talk-singing. There is a great amount of variety on this album. Although Luvin just sounds like a beatles album. All over the place and because of that there were a lot of up and downs.
mid
Not good at all.
Awesome
First half was better than the second half. Overall I enjoyed it
Never heard of this group but enjoyed the quick listen. I love the idea of a few kids who wrote a few good songs. I bet they talked about it for the rest of their lives.
I loved it. Precursor to heavy metal
Good 60s sounds
Not one I'll be revisiting. I reckon they recorded it in one sitting, there's more then a few dud notes at the end of toonerville trolley
Just the usual sixties stuff.
I do quite like the jangly 60s guitar sound but not enough to really like one artist exceptionally. I think I’d probably get a kick out of something like Now! That’s What I Call Jangle so nothing feels too samey/state. I appreciated that this was only 30 mins though
Kinda similar to earlier Pink Floyd, with a spark of vaudeville. Favourite track: Luvin'
Mildly interesting but I think there are much better albums of the era and genre.
Yeah. It’s decent and I can see why it’s here, but meh. Needs more oomph.
Never heard of 'The Electric Prunes', pleasantly surprised- Animals meet psychedelic rock vibes. Favourite: I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night).
I might be rating this a little high, but my gut reaction is that I really like it. I think most accurately it would be a 3.5 but I'm going to round up. A few really strong songs for me and a lot of guitar playing I enjoyed throughout.
Kinda like the Mamas and the Pappas without any catchy tunes. Forgettable.
Kind of feels like a garage band version of Pink Floyd.
my shit
Too much to dream is a nugget. Otherwise pretty so-so psychedelic stuff. I think these guys went christian later.
Some generic sounding psychedelic at times but the band shines in the more slower jazzier tunes
Kinda quirky and whimsical hardish psych rock. Def pretty cool and innovative, but also a lil goofy
The quintessential 60s vibe. I remember it in my childhood. Instant hope and wonder about life and my world. I love this.
Nice, if you like that sort of thing. Had never heard of them before.
Mid-psychedelic rock. Why would anyone think this needs to be listened to?
"Train For Tomorrow" had a nice hook. It was the only track that sounded like they really put their hearts into the writing rather than just being caught up in copying the "sound" of the time. Very unoriginal and unremarkable.
Early 60s pop. Nothing memorable here.
Seems pretty run of the mill psychedelic garage rock. Nothing really stood out for me.
Very experimental and way ahead of their time. Not my cup of tea, but it was a delight to unfold what's inside the album. Some of it is VERY 60s and recognizable, but some of it is indicative of future trends. A neat piece of history.
I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night was good, but…
Not that great.
2.5
This made me toot on my licorice stick!
This record was weird as fuck, sometimes enjoyably and sometimes very much not. Balances out at a 3.
The music Spotify played after I finished this was so much better than this album
Just glad this was a short album.
It was ok, but it sounds like every album from this time. Was short and forgettable
This album feels experimental in the same way as every album was experimental in this time. It feels influential but not really good
Interesting as a historical document, and fun to listen to.
Nothing stood out too much from this but it was a pretty fun psych rock record
A new listen for me. Middle of the road. I especially enjoyed some of the instrumentals but the vocals were a bit dated. A short album though and there are certainly worse albums on the list. 5.5/10 (2.75/5)
Not bad. A little bit of 60s kitsch, some psychedelia, and a little punky.
Recognized the first song
Surprisingly fire guitar tones
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. So I tried to put aside my prejudices when I saw their stupid name. I shouldn’t have. Would have saved me a half hour listening to this garbage.
I kind of liked this. But I don’t think I’d listen to this unless someone else was like “I NEED TO LISTEN TO THIS!”
Just sounds like so many other things from this era, but none of it is memorable.
The biggest crime that 60’s psych bands perpetrated was convincing people that cabaret songs and show tunes could somehow be considered “psychedelic”.
Awful album. Did they rent a cheap studio? The music sounds underproduced.
I Had Two Much to Dream Last Night is great but the songs overall are hit or miss. Cool 60's vibe, I enjoyed this overall.
I like the sound. Particularly "Get me to the world on time". will listen to more.
Not for me 1/5
I really liked this album, never heard of them
What an utterly bizarre album...which doesn't make it good or bad on its face. But there's no other way to describe this besides bizarre
Hab ich gar nicht gefühlt. Hippie-Esk
Goofy ass lyrics. This is exactly how I thought they would sound with a name like "Electric Prunes"
A snappy psych album. Don’t think they did it better than their contemporaries, but still a fun listen
A lot of different tracks add to the appeal while also making you think what exactly is this album going for. I Had Too Much to Dream is a cool way to open, and is a clear standout. The slow love song Onie is the best track, and it's the one track I've added to my library
My first 'The Electric Prunes' album experience was very pleasant and kind of mind-blowing given its time of release. All of these songs manage to be very concise (with most not breaking the 3-minute mark) while also still being fully fleshed out. The songs generally don't just come off as little samples or tastes of sprouting ideas. There is an ominous tone underlying the majority of this album, but I also found most of it to be light-hearted when looking deep into its messaging. The opener 'I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)' for example has this subtle horn hanging in the background which brings about this sinister aura. The song's lyrics, on the other hand, are quite melancholic and sad. Most songs here have something unique to offer, be that the more direct garage rock songs like 'Are you Lovin' Me More', the slow and tranquil acoustic-driven 'About a Quarter to Nine', or even the baroque-inspired 'The King in the Counting House'. There are some truly gorgeous soundscapes here, like the warm stream of synths that make up the song 'Onie'. My favorite has to be the eastern-influenced arpeggiated instrumental on 'Sold to the Highest Bidder' which has such an indescribably potent groove. Lyrically and vocally speaking, this album avoids sounding repetitive as lead vocalist James Lowe not only manages to tailor his vocals to match the energy of the current song but he also captivatingly presents a large array of diverse ideas through his lyrics. In a lot of ways, this album's an inconsistent mess, but its takes on both psychedelic and garage rock still sound unique and enjoyable (albeit grainy and muddy; which if anything, only adds to its enjoyability for me) even today. The sheer amount of interesting song ideas presented here alone makes it worthy of praise. NOTE: Reading into it more, it's evident that this album was rushed in its release, which explains the more brief song structures here. It's also clear that the band had little creative control over many of these ideas, lyrically and instrumentally. With that said, I still stand by most of what's said here but I am sympathetic towards this album's contentious release and can only imagine what it could've been if the band were given more creative freedom and time.
Excluding The Monkees who were proper musicians despite being a manufactured group jumping on a bandwagon - I guess at this time there must have been a dozen American Poundshop Beatles like these getting pushed by record companies eyeing an easy buck.
Why did I have to listen to this before I die?
We get it Britain, life’s hard
Only knew the well-known opening songs and regarded this band as a singles band. Still do: the 60s garage rock sound is fine, but the songwriting is too weak.
This is all rather weak, about two leagues below the Beatles.
Not bad, very psychedelic
Listened to this on the way to the zoo and everything is making me feel like an excited kid. Really interesting first song. Fuck it, 5 stars
Boy, they really thought they had something here, didn't they? Smacks of high school angst. Less true psychedelic, more "let's take the Stones, Mamas & the Papas, and the Beatles and mash them into a grey paste." One additional star for being mercifully short.
Sjov! har aldrig hørt om dem, men har hørt riiigtig mange bands med den samme lyd. Ikke dårlig, heller ikke vildt memorable. Nogle af sangene lyder som jokes?
Elsker første nummer! Det er åbneren på en super fed compilation der hedder Nuggets! Synes resten af pladen var ret hit-or-miss, formåede ikke rigtig at være konsistent selvom den er super kort. Jeg er en kæmpe hater de her dage, ved ikke hvad der sker! Er det en curse efter Britney?
Fun psych garage rock
12 songs, 30 minutes. Its a beautiful thing. 3
Wow, ‘60s mixing did these boys dirty, but the invention of the tremolo pedal made them do themselves dirty, too. You used to be able to go into record stores, befriend the old man who owned the place, and eventually, he’d bring you down to the basement, where water-damaged records were stacked to the ceiling. These records were forgotten one-hit/no-hit wonders, records with absolutely nothing of value, records meant to be sampled or used as frisbees. They were so inessential, the record shop owner usually let you fill a bag and give him $5 and call it a day. This is the quintessential example of that type of record. It’s not the worst thing ever made, though its flaws hold it back. With better mixing, it could be a great garage rock record, with touches of psych rock. With less psych rock studio bullshitting, it’d be a memorable record, one that moves from the basement to the bargain bin. With a stronger, less studio fuck-around Side B, it’d be a solid 3/5. But unfortunately, it has major flaws. It’s a very odd inclusion as a result. I’ve heard more insufferable, but this is definitely the most forgettable. Would probably make a great frisbee, though!
ну я ничего не запомнила (да и послушала всего раза два)
A little funny this is, including considering the band was unhappy about it. Pretty interesting sound, though, with some nice use of fuzz and tremolo, but it fizzles out fairly quickly with some odd song directions. I also felt like my brain was trying too hard to process it all.
60's era vibes for sure. A bit of a groovy synth feel. Perfectly fine.
I liked the first song but the rest was pretty eh
Honestly, this seems like a weird inclusion, seeing as the band themselves weren’t allowed much input on the album. Sure it had success but the band felt a lot of this was filler, and I'd have to agree. It's not terrible, I still enjoyed most of it, but it's still an album mostly dictated by a label rather than the actual musicians.
Average 60s psychedelic album, nothing too remarkable.
Rad.
Not bad
Never heard of them, not bad but doubt I will revisit
If you told me there was a band called The Electric Prunes I would expect them to play the first track but not the rest of them.
I wasn’t expecting that goofy goober ass song at the end of the album. Felt like I was instantly transported to a silly old cartoon. That shit really threw me off and if I was high listening to this, I don’t know how I’d react. But other than that this is a solid project, I had too much to dream last night is a fire way to start off an album too!
Tired of 1960s Kinks sounding bands right now.
Hørte den men husker ikke så mye av den
I was onboard until the last song, why did they include "The Toonerville Trolley"?! Seriously, just listen to every song before that one and you'll be fine
Pretty ho hum for an "experimental" record. How can you write 2 minute psych songs and have them be boring?
I Had Too Much to Dream parecida a Summer Wine.
Nice and short. Kind of funny. And relatable in some kind of distant way? Nice looking back in time like this.
You set your expectations low when you see the self titled electric prunes come up on your list. And when they can muster only 29 minutes of music which is inclusive of the farcical Toonerville Trolley you are left wondering on what planet this album should be considered as pre-morbid essential listening. Despite these hard truths, I didn’t hate it.
Battling the 60s/70s psychedelic vibes here. It's ok, I guess.
This was a pretty cool album. One of the first psychedelic rock bands, leading the charge for other bands like T-Set, Syd Barret and The Pink Floyd. Pretty awesome!
Completely over the amount of psychedelic rock on this list - I see it has it's place but it really feels like the makers of this list must have had their formative years in the late 60s and early 70s - The Electric Prunes were VERY ordinary and I don't think should have a place on this list when so many other great bands and genres of music have been overlooked (well, so far at least ~120 albums in!) 2 stars because its not offensive, its just boring
Not feeling this at all. A strong two stars. "However, the original group disbanded by 1968 when they proved unable to record the innovative and complex arrangements by David Axelrod on the albums Mass in F Minor and Release of an Oath." Huh.
This is one of those album that feels like it should be better than it is. There is so much potential in this album, if it hadn't been prepared so hastily it might hold up a bit better. It's a good album, just not necessarily a great one.
Some good, some ok, some boring. Overall middle of the road album.
Decent album, some good songs but it feels dated. Very much a product of its time, and not exactly the most original one at that.
Boooooooring
It’s alright. Onie is actually kinda pretty. Train for Tomorrow is good. But that’s really it. The rest is just boring. I don’t understand why this was selected for this list. Not enough here.
Two monster singles, a short and sharp sixties album from that golden period when beat was blending into psychedelic. 3.5 really but rounding down.
Nice reminder of the Psychedelic 60’s
Clear from the album cover I knew to expect something like the Monkees - turtleneck sweater, bowl haircut, earnest and endearing grand-dad rock. Yes, you get some psychedelic guitar pedals, a prominent tamborine, a tippy tap drum kit, an electric organ, and angsty anthems. Interesting, to me at least, is during "About a Quarter to Nine" I immediately identified the aloof anachronism from Love and Rockets "Seventh Dream..." with the same kind of knowing nod. Though the Prunes may have been prominent in the psych-rock era, they felt comfortable and confident in their own skin to pull off a style askew.
A fun little step back in time with a band I'd not heard of. I'm enjoying the rough edges and some unexpected harmonic and rhythmic shifts. The echo/delay makes me feel like the album is reaching my ears through a cosmic wormhole from the past. Enjoyable, will listen to their other albums sometime.
What a pleasant surprise. Keen to listen to these fine chaps some more. The bands name is bizarre, the music delighted me. Lyrics & sound is somewhat curious. Keen for more. I think 3 stars because I don't know much about them or their other work, but I'm going to explore more.
It's not that bad, it's just a bit disjointed.
The sound quality isn’t great, maybe the worst I’be heard on Apple Music. I had to much to dream last night is an elite song title. Sadly the production quality holds the song back as well as the album 4.3/10
Too many people hating on the Prunes, the opener is such a fucking vibe, and sure the rest of the album never manages to match that energy, but these songs really aren't as bad as people on here make them out to be. A 3 star album bumped up to a 4 to spite the haters.
the trippier ones are pretty cool. everything else is meh. trolley song should have never happened
Was gonna rate this a 2 until I got to Toonerville Trolley which ruined my day. Also borderline rapey lyrics throughout. Big fat 1.
This is a bit of an odd one that never really settles on a single mood or style. So it's a hodgepodge of psychedelic, baroque pop and garage rock, sometimes creative, sometimes silly, sometimes fairly forgettable, sometimes straight up annoying. Fave Songs: I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night), Get Me to the World on Time, Train for Tomorrow
Garage rock. Ni fu ni fa.
Decent 60s psych/garage record. Some songs hit pretty hard with the fuzz tones (Too Much To Dream) while others have a cleaner, dreamlike feel (Train For Tomorrow). Enjoyable record, but nothing mind shattering here - though perhaps it was seen that way more at the time. Some nice use of effects (fuzz, trem, reverb/echo) to create a psychedelic feeling without relying on the effects to make the song. Couple of weird choices that are duds and break up the feel of the album (Toonerville Trolley).
The start was good but then things dropped significantly.
Great early psych rock with some baroque and garage elements.
De första låtarna var riktigt bra. En blandning av The Who, Syd Barrets Pink Floyd, Velvet Underground och typ alla andra band från den tiden. Men ändå så var det nytt och coolt. Sparade typ hälften av låtarna.
Nice clean love songs. Ver good
very interesting. I hadn't heard them before.
I mean it's just meh
Just some dudes playing tunes.
This would considered a Psychedelic classic were it not for the significant drop in quality on the B side. I still enjoyed it a lot, and it deserves more credit than it gets, but it's clear the longer the album goes on the less ideas the band has. I have no idea what they were thinking with that last song
There’s some obscenely slow terrible songs on this ablum. Would have been ok but they just kill it.
The drummer certainly has a POV.
Three songs in, I'm loving the period psychedelic influences. Fluid, echoy guitars, sudden tempo changes, distant forlorn vocals... In particular, I'm loving Onie as a blissfully somber song. The jazzy left turn on Train for Tomorrow, while unexpected, was kind of nice. Wish they had puched the bass up a bit more in their mix overall -- it comes through pretty buried and muddy. Get Me to the World on Time comes through as phoned in. It tries to have umph, but sort of falls flat to me. This one lost me in the second half. I was into it up until side two, but there just wasn't anything worth staying for on the back half in my opinion. Started out as a solid 4. Ends a weak 3 leaning down towards a 2. Honestly, Toonerville Trolley and The King is in the Counting House are enough to push me over the edge. 2 it is.
Sounds a little like the Beatles. Pretty solid. Don't have too many details to discuss on this one. Could probably reach a 4 on a re-listen, but I doubt I'll ever do that. Good band name.
Great band name. Really like the psychadelic rock style with the loud drums. The last few songs were certainly quite strange, but the build up with the previous songs on the album made them very fun way to end the album. I want to go on the Toonerville Trolley. Gotta love a sub 30 minute album when you are trying to play catchup. This did everything right for me right now.
Ooo some nice psychedelic opening sounds. Me likey. Was really hoping for more after that. Had some pretty nice moments. Whatever instrument was used in Sold to the Highest Bidder was pretty cool. The Toonerville Trolley is making me want to smash my computer to pieces though. Low 3
My kind of music
Ok actually a very cool album, not at all what I expected from the name but very of the time I think. Nice and short as well which is kinda epic
Psychedelic masterpiece!
There was novelty in some of these song lyrics but I didn’t find their psychedelic sound of the late 60’s different or better than other bands known for those vibes. The album got stale by the 3rd song.
meh. Lot's of other acts from the time did this same thing better. Interesting for sure, but the best part of the album was when "For Your Love" came on and then I realized the album was over and I was listening to the Yardbirds.
this was decent, but not great. The style was all over the place. very unfocused.
This album made me feel like I was in my parents station wagon while they smoke cigarettes with the window barely cracked. This wasn't even good enough for oldies 104.3 WJMK. Not Dick Biondi-worthy.
Reminded me of the The Animals, not bad
1. 4.2 2. 4.8 3. 3.4 4. 3.8 5. 3.8 6. 4.2 7. 3.6 8. 3.5 9. 3.8 10. 4 11. 4.2 12. 3.7
2 stars. nothing too groundbreaking to my ears.
Some cool 60s vibes, feel like I've been on this electric roundabout before
This one really confused me. I don’t know anything about this band and I didn’t hear anything special on the album that would make me even slightly believe it was one of the top albums of all time. Musically it was fine but nothing overly stood out.
Some decent songs but a little dated and forgettable, terrible closing number
Forgettable psychedelic bubblegum. But not all was lost, I took a deeply satisfying dump after listening. Thanks prunes!
Cool sound, wasn't particularly interesting to me. Still enjoyed it. I kept wanting to listen to Nick Drake instead.
Before even listening the album I want to note that I absolutely love the title. Really evocative and it's the kind of phrase I wish I had come up with. This record feels like I'm listening to The Zombies' 'Odessey and Oracle". That's one of my favorite albums, and I like this one for all the same reasons. 'The King in the Counting House' especially felt like I was listening to a Zombies song. It also had some moments that felt like the pace changes in Sgt. Peppers. I'll definitely revisit this album regularly
I feel like this era thought it was just soo cool to have separate left and right tracks. I almost find it distracting. Why is my left ear only hearing drums?
2-3 good songs + nursery rhyme filler does not make a great album
Not bad, interesting sound, but not nearly as inspired as other records from this period.
some interesting stuff but very dated
Неровный альбом с парой хороших песен. Лучшая песня - I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night).
I mean... Ok? It just felt like basic 60s vamping. Not bad, but not great.
Standard mid 60s rock with some psychedelic moments and the now ubiquitous inclusion of baroque following the Beatles and Stones. Not really special enough to me.
A medieval canticle? Demonic children’s music? What were they on when they put this together? Can’t say I didn’t enjoy it though.
Look at their past members list on wikipedia. Maybe slightly better than most surf/psych rock if it’s time. It nothing crazy
Similar to early Pink Floyd psychedelic, there's a blend of simple blues/jazz and early rock with an extensive use of flange and distortion. Some of the early tracks on the album don't know how to transition or morph or even end, but the more traditional song structures hold fairly strong. It has a wonderful chaotic garage energy mixed with its psychedelia. The album struggles from trying too hard at points and when settled is a pretty familiar and enjoyable listen.
This album sounded like 6 different albums in one and none was particularly good
Meh
Garage psychedelia at its near apex. Bit much for a whole album
3.5. i like some (bangles is the favorite) but some is just too 60s silly
The vibes are immaculate. This is totally a record you throw on if you want to look hip to someone.
4.49
Not super memorable, like when the Beatles came back post drugs and with a zither. somewhat exciting 60s tambourine, exotic strings and wind instrument fueled album.
Dumb drug music
Knock off beetles, not for me.
First Listen. I like this one much more than the Moby Grape album - much more fun and variation in songs.
Their big hit, I had too much to dream last night,.still holds up but it really sounds "juvenile" in terms of lyrics and music. Derivative of many 60s band. A nice album but not a classic iny mind.
In a nutshell: "The Monkees on acid" YouTube user. Overall: 1/10
Not bad but not very interesting either
Generic 60s rock. Nothing to see here. Something my 70 year old mother would have liked, idk maybe, she had better taste though so probably not. 2/5
good sixties
Much better than I thought it would be. 60's Psychedelia with a slightly harder edge.
Psychedelic but with notes of Scott Joplin and Motown. Such a weird album from a band I’ve never heard of classified as garage rock - how, I don’t know. It made me curious; I’ll give it that.
Nie davon gehört. Kann man sich mal anhören, reißt mich aber nicht wirklich vom Hocker!
Not interested
My first take based on the name, album cover, and dong names is that this must be a parody album. It might be? I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night) is a solid enjoyable opener, but boy after that we get into some pretty rocky territory before going fully off the rails by the end. If they are kidding around it isn't good enough. If they aren't, it really isn't good enough. The couple of standout tunes keep us out of one star territory but I absolutely did not need to hear this album. That said the cover art does amuse me.
Psychadelic rock is really hit or miss for me! The opening track is clearly the hit single and again pulls most of the weight, has a catchy hook. The orchestration and synths are fun. The rest of this album was pleasant if a bit sleepy and forgettable. The King in the Counting House was tough to listen to and take them very seriously...
Ok, but soft an unnecessary on this list. I feel like we’ve heard enough mediocre, vaguely British psychedelic rock.
Know the name; never heard the music. Pretty good mid/late 60's psychadelic rock. Not earthshattering as nothing about it really stands out to me. Probably won't listen again but I didn't dislike it.
Fine garage rock, but this was nothing special in my opinion. I understand why I’ve never heard of the even though I didn’t mind the music. “Onie” sounds like it was heavily influenced by The Beach Boys. The album is in need of a serious remaster however. Also the final song was insufferable.
This album did literally nothing for me. Sounds like if Woodstock needed elevator music.
Like most of these 60s bands/albums but this one is a bit slow. 2
This album is pretty experimental for the time and it started off quite strong with I Had Too Much to Dream, but after Onie I thought the album took a massive drop in quality in song writing and production. I know production in the 60s often put drums in the background, but I think so many of the songs would have sounded better with some better produced drums and what were they thinking with The Toonerville Trolley. That song was just stupid and a terrible way to end the album.
Knew the title track so I went in with anticipation of discovering another gem. OH WELL. In large parts, an amalgamation of early ersatz Stones/Beatles/proto-Doors - the ratios shifting on a per-song basis - rehearsing random B-Side material, while you're listening from across a long hallway. It's not *all* terrible, and I've tried to make the likeable bits count, really, and there's some interesting ear candy occasionally, but especially considering how this mess apparently came to be by a producer shoving songs down this band's throat - Yes, I can hear that - I am at loss as to what it's doing on this list.
Starts strong, ends dumb
A candidate for the most dated album on the list, which is possibly a complement because I love the shit out of it. I'd like to trip to this album sometime and get a feel for what 1967 was really like.
I don't think it was really bad or anything but it had absolutely no juice whatsoever
I honestly thought that a band called The Electric Prunes would be weird and wacky. There was a bit of that, but then there were a few actual decent songs. I listened with bemusement and was entertained.
Ten-year-old Timmy stumbled upon a peculiar secret one rainy afternoon. As the Electric Prunes echoed in his room, his tiny upper lip sprouted the tiniest, yet unmistakable, mustache. Bewildered, he played their music again, and the mustache grew. Soon, Timmy sported a lopsided fuzz, perplexing his parents. Excitement bubbled when he realized his mustache wasn't just hair – it was his ticket to adventure. With each guitar riff, his mustache sprouted longer, visions of interplanetary exploration dancing in his head. Timmy dreamt of soaring to Uranus, his mustache acting as a whimsical, fuzzy spacecraft. The Electric Prunes became his launchpad to the stars, and, fueled by music, Timmy soared through the cosmos on his fantastical, mustache-powered journey.
So funky and fun!
It's nice music. I'd be happy if I could make music like this. But it doesn't belong on the 1001 list. 2 stars. (Really more like 2.5 -- very average, but it doesn't belong on this list...or maybe the list needs to be shorter.)
Could have been a 5, but that Toonerville Trolley bullshit shaved a whole point for its stupidity. Really good psych in comparison to some of the other crap from the era.
It's very much what you expect it to be.
Too psychedelic for my taste
Nice little psych album :)