Reviews (page 2 of 8)
I can't say that this is a masterpiece, it isn't, but I sure enjoyed it and that's what counts. It's a forward-moving product of its time and that's a good thing. This is a solid 4.5 in my book and the only album so far that I've wanted to listen to twice before deciding where to land with it. This one just squeaked into a 5 spot since I can't give it a half-star and it's better than a 4.
if you like this album, quite frankly, you know ball
10/10 can’t go wrong with The Yardbirds, holy shit
Jeff Beck, Jeff Beck, some Jimmy Page. What can go wrong ?
Great mid 60s sound. Really enjoyed
Second half of the album really kicks off - plenty to like. The instrumental breaks and jamming are good fun and help keep the album interesting. Lots of tight riffs and memorable lyrics. I'd heard a fair amount of these tracks before but couldn't tell you who did them. Now I can. Farewell, Jeff's Boogie, He's Always There, and What Do You Want stood out the most for me. Another 4.5, but again I'll be kind. Definitely returning to this.
Really enjoyed this eclectic mix of tracks, especially the more psychedelic tinged ones Saved tracks: Lost Women, Jeff’s Boogie, Over Under Sideways Down, Turn Into Earth, What Do You Want
VERY sixties, and I love it. Just a comfy album to strap in and listen to. Smooth, catchy, and enjoyable, I don't know what else to say about this album that hasn't already been said. So nice, I played it twice (mono and stereo). Just a rocking, great listen.
Didn’t realize how many of these songs I already knew. Really awesome music
This was super cool
I loved this one. Quite varied as well with the first half of the album being more blues-rock and the second half psychedelic rock, but easier to listen to than psychedelia sometimes tends to be. Also amazed by how much the first minute of "Ever Since The World Began" sounds like early Black Sabbath. Must have been a huge influence for them. So yeah, The Yardbirds are somewhere between The Beatles and Black Sabbath, combining some of boths' greatness. With the appropriate skill to back it up, that's a 5 in my book.
Great album.
some nice instrumentals
One of my all time fav records! Genuinely holds up and slaps so hard
cool
Rock n roll af. “He’s always there” was sampled for Pussycat dolls “When I grow up”
A surprisingly good album! The first time I’ve been pleasantly surprised by an album I’ve not previously heard of
I really like it. It feels like it was inspiration for King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. Some songs are feeling a little out of place and the whole album is somewhat incoherent, but I had fun listening to it.
Without Dimery's list (which I was able to find online), I would never have discovered this wonderful record, one of those rare kinds of albums that transcends its day and age while fully sounding *from them*. Like mostly everyone interested in sixties music, I knew (and liked) famous Yardbirds stuff such as the Graham Gouldman-penned "For Your Love" and "Evil Hearted You". But "Roger The Engineer (The Yardbirds)" is so much more than that... Contrary to what a few reviewers with a short attention span have written here, Clapton was already out of the picture when the band recorded this album--and it was a good thing: Clapton was then way too "conservative" at the time with his blues orthodoxy to let "Roger"'s adventures happen (the man also proved how obnoxious he could be on many occasions during his later career--but that's a story for another time...). The end result here is that the band then used Jeff Beck to replace him, and this to great effects if you're a fan of good guitar playing--see for instance the technically impressive "Jeff's Boogie". Yet all of this wouldn't be worth a rat's ass if the birds hadn't embraced the psychedelic shenanigans of those days in such an orginal and varied way. From the bizarre yet mellifluous fuzz riffs of hit "Over, Under, Sideways, Down" to the groovy basslines of "Lost Women" and "Hot House Of Omagarashid", the mood is definitely "shaggadelic, babe!" at an Austin Powers-on-LSD level of intensity. Yet as fun as those tracks are, they never fully forget that Chicago blues inspiration either. "Roger The Engineer" just allows you to hear that sound evolving to become... something else. And that something else is the future of rock'n'roll. You can obviously smell whiffs of Led Zeppelin here and there (Jimmy Page is indeed the young guitarist who will replace Jeff Beck not long after this record). You can even behold the seed that would be soon sowed in Iommi and Osbourne's twisted minds not long before they created Black Sabbath in the mystical "Turn Into Earth" and "Ever Since The World Began" (especially in the latter's long introduction). This closer actually sums up the scope of moods embraced by the album, from a droning lament to a lively booter shaker to cap things neatly and nicely. For this album, I highly recommend the 1987 Impact Record edition, because it includes the killer single "Happening Ten Years Time Ago" *within* the tracklisting (and not in the end, as a bonus, as in the online links provided here). That single is simply a masterpiece and deserved to be part of the feast anyway. French alternative rock fans will find its riff, quickly descending half tone after half tone, familiar. That riff was actually ripped off by Noir Désir for their hit "Tostaky" (directly or indirectly), their stroke of genius being that thay also gave it an *ascending* counterpart. But apart for this riff, the single has many other assets to boast about, so don't forget to give it a spin too... So here it is: "Roger The Enginner". More than a psychedelic doodle, it is a fully realized vision--adventurous, fun yet ambitious in its scope and moods. A hidden gem that deserves each and everyone of its five stars. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 883 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 62 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 29 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 27
The bass line of the first track really pulled me in. I loved the jam of this album. A couple of tunes left me a little flat, but overall an awesome listen!!
Very nice driving blues rock. Didn't know any of the songs but lots of good ones on here. Good good fun.
No surprise here; a well-regarded 60s rock band was indeed good.
Psycho Daisies 👌🏻
Decent.
1966 - English blues rock band
Great album full of near-legendary tracks.
So gut wie einflussreich!
Excellent album
Fantastic
Bit rock and roll- I liked it
Tip top bluesy rock, as to be expected from such a lineup. Listened to most of the (31 track!) "album" this site sends you to and then found the original album/tracklist and listened to that, which listens sooo much better as an album.
Qué bueno que al final sí lo escuché. Me gustó todo el disco, buenas percusiones, bien la guitarra, bien el bajo. Mención especial a las dos primeras canciones, muy energéticas, álbum variadito y divertido. No me lo esperaba
Un album que tout guitariste devrait avoir écouté dans sa vie! Un classique du genre et précurseur du Blues Rock britannique des Années 60. 5*
Sorry don't wanna write anything rn
Blues, blues, blues. Jeff Beck can play the blues. This album was released shortly before Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin joined the band. You can tell that they loved Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, that whole Chicago Blues scene. A lot of English kids did. This album has some incredible tones for 1966 and still rips when I throw it on today. Psych Blues supergroup that split to spawn solo careers and other famous bands. Favorite song: The Nazz Are Blue Least favorite song: Hot House of Omagarashid
Oh man, talk about a blast from the past! This gem is like a little history lesson that rocks your socks off. It's raw, it's real, and it's got this dirt under its nails vibe. Spins: 2 Playlist Additions - Lost Woman - Over, Under, Sideways, Down - Turn into Earth - Happenings Ten Years Time Ago
Woah! Solid blues rock with a couple of psychidelic singles thrown in
Experimental but very fun !
Primo English psychedelic blues rock, with a portion of whimsy - the energy levels leap up every time Beck rips into a solo It would be 5 stars if it was all rip-roaring fun like that, but the gentler tracks are pretty ordinary
My dislike of anything Eric Clapton made my preconceived expectation for this album wrong. Fun, way better than I would have ever thought, and would never of listened to it otherwise.
gostei bastante, tem bem um estilo 60s que curto com algumas experimentações e bons solos de guitarra.
I know this album as "Over Under Sideways Down" and I hadn't listened to it in a long time. There's so much great psychedelic weirdness to enjoy here, it was a treat to revisit. I'm less taken by the boogie bar blues songs, but they're infrequent enough. I love a bunch of these tracks and will definitely continue to go back to this album.
Love the historical significance of this album. Super fun to pick out different guitar tones and sounds developed here that would essentially lay the foundation for the next generation of blues- rock music. I don't know that I would appreciate this quite as much without the context and significance, but still a fun listen.
It's wild to me that three of the greatest guitarists, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton, all cut their teeth in the Yardbirds. Roger the Engineer is from their period with Jeff Beck and, unsurprisingly, the guitar playing is excellent. What is surprising is that I could never get into the Yardbirds. As a teen I was absolutely obsessed with Led Zeppelin, so of course I had to check out Jimmy Page's earlier band, but they just didn't do it for me at the time. Listening to Roger the Engineer now and I really don't know what I was missing. This is exactly the kind of music I would have loved when I was a teen; a mix of blues rock and psychedelic rock with a touch of hard rock here or there. It's not quite the type of music I listen to now, but I still really enjoyed listening to this album and I'm glad to finally be able to appreciate the Yardbirds.
Very interesting enjoyed most of the tracks. Very dated, but very pioneering. Although I enjoyed the experience, it's not an album I will probably listen again, at least not often.
solo ending by Keith Relf carried
Wow I really liked this. The songs are varied and stood out from each other on the second listen. Felt like the Monkees a lot. Maybe just a tiny bit too much British blues rock in there, but overall a fantastic new (to me) piece from a band I like whenever I hear them. Close to a 5.
jeff beck on guitar . . . holy smokes
Quite a creative departure for the Yardbirds - maybe the imfluence of Jeff Beck. Music is very 'of its time' but that is no bad thing. Plenty of bluesy/pysche. Have always found that the sound engineering of this period wasn't quite up to speed with the rate of change in music.
Fun sound, enjoyed most of the songs. He’s Always There among the faves.
Here we have the definitive rock album from mega superstars THE YARDBIRDS, one of the most commercially successfully rock bands to come out of the UK. Still can't believe Jimmy Page decided to leave and form his own Lead Zeplin(?) band right before the Yardbirds really took off. Oh what could have been... Snap back to reality: this is a pretty killer 60s psych rock record. Really emphasizes the overall state & sound of the UK rock scene by the mid-60s. Jeff Beck's guitar playing suits these tracks very well (this is basically his band, after all) and Jim McCarty's drumming is super tasteful. That said, I can see why Page was feeling disillusioned with the group and opted to leave to start something heavier. The Yardbirds' sound is decidedly 60s, whereas Zeppelin was an earthquake shift into the 70s.
Guys I’m a sucker for a cool guitar riff
Good stuff!
I’ve heard this before. This is one with Jeff Beck on guitar and I like his playing better than Jimmy Page and a lot better than Clapton. Beck really adds to the psychedelic sound they had started and it’s all over this record. There’s a lot of stylistic variation with only a few standard 12 bar blues style songs, and Beck adds a lot of depth here where Clapton woulda done something boring if he was still in the band. Altogether great mid-period british invasion.
I rather enjoy Jeff Beck. Thought I didn’t know any Yardbirds songs, but then Over Under Sideways Down comes in.
it's so funny seeing a killer blues song paired with the picture of these children, these absolute INFANTS on the album cover. keep rocking, you funky little baby faces
Taffe Gitarre lowkey. Die Songs sind bissle hit or miss aber für 66 sind manche Gitarren parts krass, ich meine das Album kam vor Are You experienced.
Don’t be a rock whore. Don’t be a rock whore. Don’t be a rock whore. Damnit this rocks tho
Rollicking stomps and envelope-pushing sounds. Doesn’t quite all land but with all the seeds being sown, plenty of it flowers
Jeff Beck has failed to convince me, nor has any of his boosters that he's actually all that great. That said, there are some nice riffs on this, and if I'm not mistaken Black Sabbath may have been seeded with "ever since the world began," no small thing.
Completely new to me and it’s one of the best examples for tracing its influence throughout the rest of 20th century music. Can imagine muddy waters rolling in his grave and mumbling something about honky music when this album was described as a take on the blues
Definitely dated sounding album, but extremely adventurous for the time and Jeff Beck’s guitar certainly stands out.
Probably more important the personally enjoyable, but undeniably great. The drive on "He's Always There" and the meandering solo in "Lost Woman" are highlights.
Its raw psych blues with a garage rock quality. The singer is a bit weak compared to his contemporaries but it wasn't terrible. There are a few great boogie tunes mixes in some rockabilly. Couple of filler songs but the album is so short they don't bring it down much. Jeff Beck shreds throughout and I like that they kinda flirt with all the genres of the time on this one.
BIG SOUND GOOD
I liked this a lot better than I thought I would. Jeff Beck was awesome even back then.
Pretty great stuff. Great distorted dirty guitar with vocals and bass to match. Wish there had been more of this type of stuff in the British invasion, and less of the twee stuff like Herman’s Hermits, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Freddie and the Dreamers. Oh well.
I liked the Beck Fuzz 4/5
Lost Woman is my favorite track so far. The Nazz are Blue is good.
Buen álbum, buen rock. Antiguo, se siente como inicios de algo interesante, diferente, disruptivo. Dos temas: Happenings Ten Years Time Ago y Turn Into Earth.
This isn’t bad but it feels more like a compilation than a complete album. I’m not sure why everyone considers Jeff Beck such a great guitarist. Overall better than The Black Album
This is a fun rock album. Not like hard rock though. Soft rock kinda or folk.
Loved the style, the energy, the voices, the rhythm. It's super catchy and an amazing album to listen and to dance to. Not five stars because you know how a five star albums feels and this one wasn't like that
Good. Not great.
Pretty good! Cool production for the era.
Blues, rock and psychedelia provided on all tracks by the legend himself, Mr. Jeff Beck.
Really enjoyed this album. They have a very similar sound to the Beatles, but they skew bit more toward hard rock with heavy blues elements mixed in. Fascinating to learn about this band and the guitarist that came from it
Very avant-garde psych rock album. Among the variation of the group's members, this is probably the best iteration which produced what is perhaps one of the greatest psych rock albums of all time. 9/10 [KEEP]
I can't imagine going this hard and looking like musicians did in '66 Highlights: "Lost Woman", "Rack My Mind", "Hot House of Omagararshid"
overall a fairly listenable psychedelic rock classic & worthy Jeff Beck showcase bonus note: "Farewell" piano melody seems to match The Crystals "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" for a small segment 3.5/5 (first listen)
7/10
Got my first Jeff Beck album this week and loved it so interested to see how another formation lands… Blows my mind how different these formations can sound and make an individual (Beck) come across different. Much preferred his solo / Jeff Beck group stuff. But still get the experimental vibes coming through here. Goes from a crap Beatles with the vocals, to prog rock experimentation when it’s just instruments. Crazy this band started the careers of Clapton, Page AND Beck! Such a bipolar album between the poppy verses and vocals and psychedelic instrumental breaks. Confusing to know where it sits. Such a crazy mix and then get tracks like ‘Hot House…’ 🤷🏻♂️ What a crazy, disjointed album. But many really enjoyable instrumental parts all the same. Grabbed my attention, though
I absolutely loved the second to last song "Shapes In My Mind" specifically the first version.
An album very much ahead of its time; you can hear the influence it had on indie garage music, even up to modern day! Gritty, raw, punk with different flavours moving in and out. The sound production is great, really energetic and bright. Some excellent guitar solos and nice textured vocals. If The Kinks or The Beatles were a bit rougher around the edges, this might be what they'd sound like. Overall, probably 15 minutes too long and gets a little repetitive.
Psychedelic punk with great guitar riffs.
Jeff Beck, man. This era of the yardbirds was the jumping off point for so many great guitarists. This album is no exception. I did kinda wish the production had more teeth, but that was the style at the time. I felt the power behind some of those wings was probably FAR better live. Regardless, I enjoyed it. Not 5 stars. There were some weak points. Since skippable tracks. But overall pretty decent.
Very good. Too bad Eric Clapton is a kooky anti-vaxxer.
Rätt nice alltså!
mkt coolt och catchy!
I have become a sucker for that 66-68 English psychedelia sweet spot. This isn't all genius but there's a good variety to the sounds they create and I like the way Jeff Beck sounds like he is spilling out from the mixing desk over his bandmates.
Ah the over under song was in the movie observe and report I believe. Had no idea it was yardbirds. This is the band that had Eric Clapton, Jimmy page and Jeff beck. I mean that’s legendary. No idea about the rest of the group. The inky song that I think I know the yardbirds did was train kept rolling. Really bluesy and not hippyish though some spots were - I suppose it’s par for the course for the era. Maybe too early for hippy. Gonna give it 4.
Yardbirds!!!! 4/5 #nuffsaid #musicsky #albumsky
Good songs. Definitely sounds dated now.
Better than I expected, doesn't sound dated at all.
Pretty good
Enjoyed hearing this, and learning a bit about the band (esp. Jeff Beck’s involvement) by reading their history. An interesting range of sounds including blues, psychedelia and Eastern.
Huh, pretty groovy jams. Not familiar, but really digging the album artwork
Some lovely guitar licks and a general sound that seems way ahead of its time.
Great energy throughout! The rock and r&b fusion makes this feel especially timeless
Enjoyed it. Felt like a collection of songs more than cohesive album, But liked it all the same. At the time bet it was major. Snappy songs. Always good. Could put it on anytime and it would enhance your omelette.
Really enjoyed this.
It was okay, Theres like two songs i would listen twice.
Fascinating and odd. I knew Jeff Beck by name long before I ever knowingly heard him, but this shows exactly why he was revered. His playing is odd, amd wobbly, and unique, and utterly memorable. The band as a whole are good, the songs catchy, but it's his playing that dominates. I'd listen to this again over, say, Van Halen. Strong 4.
Off to a really good start, decided to start a new routine for my journal ecosystem called ‘Thoughts n songs’ : basically just what thoughts I had while listening to that song, head tends to travel everywhere and anywhere… a good way to track how creative and hyper my mind can go with the help of music. So I can also track what music helps me to be most productive when doing my craft. Solid 9/10 🤌🏻
Bluesrock Album vom feinsten. The Yardbirds sind quasi die Vorgänger von Led Zepplin, wobei Jimmy Page zum Zeitpunkt von dem Album noch nicht dabei war. Spannende Twists am klassischen Bluesrock und man hört viele Fundamentale Riffs und Ideen, die sich über die Jahre durchgesetzt haben. Highlights: u.a. The Nazz are Blue, I can't make your way
2 gode lyt. Skal nok lige over den en gang mere før dommen. Yep. Med et par dage imellem, så er jeg stadig glad når jeg sætter albummet på. Der er fremdrift på Expanded Edition. Efter at have hørt orginal udgivelsen er jeg en anelse mere afklaret. Begge udgivelser er gode, men mono lyden på orginalen er lidt tam, selvom den er autentisk.
En sjov blanding af Blues-rock og Rock ‘n’ Roll med elementer af Psyk og Proto-Metal.
Production isn't polished, it's a Garage rock sounding Psychedelic Blues album, bass and drums are great and Jeff Beck's lead guitar is fantastic. Very fun listen, really experimental.
First half better than the second, fun and upbeat. Enjoyable.
Favorite Track: Over Under Sideways Down
don’t know what they’re talking about but I like it
This goes way harder than I anticipated. Almost a 5, gets bogged down by some of the "it's the 60s so gotta have some weird folk tunes on there" tropes.
There's something about The Yardbirds that I just like
This album is really good. Not so much my cup of tea, but it's such an enjoyable one. Some songs are great, that's for sure, and I love Jeff Beck's guitars. However, some other songs are not that great, so it's a good one, but not good enough to deserve five stars.
Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5
Surprised I have never heard this one. Enjoyed it
Overall a pretty good album. Surprisingly varied and experimental in a world that hadn’t yet acclaimed Sgt Pepper and psychedelia in popular music. While there are no standout tracks, none of the songs are duds either, making for a very enjoyable listen.
Really solid start, loved most of it, B side was not nearly as strong got kinda weird there.
Getting fed up with 60s psych rock. Very rock ’n roll, blues rock. More OG than a lot of other psych rock. Very cool and old-school.
I like this
I like quite a lot. Good kinda funky
A bit eclectic, but still some nice 60s pop. 4.5 bumped down to 4.
Gostei, um hippie com rockzinho bem de boa. Já tinha música da banda curtida. Gosto do estilo. Muito bom o álbum, me lembra algumas músicas do The Who antigas. 4*
Psycho all the way, but some are bangers
I thoroughly enjoyed this. I liked the mono version a bit better than the stereo version. But some fun, kinda trippy 60's rock.
This a fun album, the qobuz version made no sense in terms of tracklisting, but once I realised I'd listened to it all it felt like a good length. The tracks sounds exciting and fairly fresh considering it's a million years old. One of them had a very similar feeling to a mouldy peaches track which made me realise quite how far the yardbirds influences stretches to.
Good stuff
Was surprisingly a catchy '60s rock album. The Yardbirds are perhaps more famous for who was in the band rather than the actual band itself. At one time had Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, and Eric Clapton among their ranks. This album only has Jeff Beck on it, but it's a strong album. Yes, it sounds dated and a product of its time. You could guess its release down to its MM/DD/YYYY. But the playing is sharp, it rolls along nicely, there's some catchy bits, and it's one of the better rock n' roll albums I've heard from 1966 from bands not named the Beatles or Rolling Stones. Side note: I recognized the album track "Turn into Earth", as I've heard Al Stewart's cover version before. Which is quite likely the first time that sentence has ever been said. We take these.
Never faded into the background, constantly engaging and plenty of variation
Fun record that doesn't take itself too seriously
Nice
I enjoyed the variety of this album. Solid mix of psych & blues rock. Neat cover art too. 3.5⭐️
Nice mix of white guy blues and psychedelia. 3.5, rounding up mainly for their influence.
This was just beginning of incredible music to come from the core of hard rock. You can hear the greatness emanating to burst. They were close. They just needed the right formula.
This wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be. In fact it was more than three-quarters better than I expected. Not just endless jams or hackneyed blues progressions. It's a curious mix of progressive blues-rock with psychedelia; and pop-influenced ditties. And I like the fact that the album title sounds like a Captain Pugwash character. Overall I was very impressed. If Beck is the guitarist's guitarist, this album is by the bands' band, as it seems to have set the touchpaper on so many cool offshoots of blues rock.
This was definitely a good find for me. Another awesome garage rock and psychedelic album with strong blues influences. It also has a nice raw and gritty sound to really bring out the garage rock feel.
This was a fun listen. Sounds like the 60s but the production is really nice and seems much more modern. Guitar playing is the highlight here by a long shot - it’s Jeff Beck and he’s excellent throughout.
Interesting to hear Beck & Page together! A very eclectic and unpredictable album, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Jeff Beck! This was the first album that I checked Wikipedia before hitting the play button as I don't like Clapton playing. I first discovered Yardbirds because of Jimmy Page and then Clapton and Beck but never properly played any album before before this album. I never like Clapton as guitarist and found him very overrated player, fortunately this album features Jeff Beck on guitar and was the reason I give it a go. This is a studio album and features original compositions. If you like rock music from '60s you are in for a good treat.
Rock and roll with plenty of blues influences but still felt unique.
Psych rockers having fun is the best type of psych rock.
Nothing but bangers
Beck, suficiente y sobra para considerar que valió la pena surfear por cada pieza
Luisterde weer niet goed genoeg
Blues and psychedelia. So many ideas. Great guitar by Jeff Beck.
3.5/5. Speciaal, wel leuk
Some very interesting tracks on this one, I heard The Strokes guitar sound, and a lot of other bands this album influenced. The more modern/avant garde originals are really good. The other bluesie ones launched many-a “dad blues rock” ships that are still sailing today.
More psychedelic than I was expecting. Some very cool guitar and bass playing (because, you know, Jeff Beck). Plenty of 60s pop and British Invasion sounds too, blues roots obvious in many places. Dated but still cool.
Was expecting a hardcore punk album from the album cover, but some early psychedelic rock works just as well for me. The recording is pretty rough sounding throughout, but if anything it adds a nice crusty edge to the bluesy offerings. Haven't listened to much Jeff Beck or The Yardbirds, but he absolutely kills it here and carries the album. Opener Happenings Ten Years Time Ago is a familiar enough sounding jam -- reminds a bit of early Floyd in its looseness/roughness. Some fantastic exploratory guitar and wonky vocal layering through the back half. Psycho Daisies rips out of the gate and the guitar shreds, but the drums feel a bit out of touch -- like they are being played by a hamfisted child. Lost Women is lead by a fat little bass line and gives over to a loose bluesy wandering complete with harmonica. Over Under Sideways Down is the first familiar one. Kind of a wandering R&B party song of sorts that is just good clean fun. Such a quality guitar riff. The Nazz are Blue is a solid blues jam made so largely by the quality of the guitar work. I Can't Make Your Way takes a detour into a poppier sound that works all the same with the muted guitar tone. Rack My Mind is yet another bluesy ripper. Hot House of Omagararshid is quite out of place, but stands alone as the sort of kooky track to background some silly TV shenanigans. Turn into Earth is a delightful return to psychedelia with the layered ghostly vocals spacious mix. While I'll say that this album certainly lost steam through its back half, I found this to exceed all expectations. The guitar work throughout was excellent, and while the blues rock sounds weren't specifically novel, they are extremely well done and entertaining. For me this earns a low 4.
That was a whacky album. Had some pretty standard rock but then every so often would throw an absolute curveball with some of the music. I likey this type of music.
don't these cats know that guitar music is on the way out?
Hat mir ziemlich gut gefallen. Abwechslungsreich und frisch, obwohl so alt.
Grande Album, band assolutamente sottovalutata
Lowkey loved this so much the vibe was so much fun like beachy kinda?
This one should prob get a 3, but I had more fun than I would on a standard 3. I'll put it on the low end of 4.
- mais uma banda de rock lendária - traz pop, blues e psicodelia nos estágios iniciais - a qualidade de gravação deixa a desejar, mas não me incomoda muito
I actually kind of dig this. I think I’ve heard of The Yardbirds, but I’ve never listened to this album and I wasn’t familiar. Fun, weird, catchy, definitely from the 60s.
Highly enjoyable blues, psych and rock with plenty of experimentation. Will listen again.
Ignorant me. I mean, at some point I encountered the fact that Jimmy Paige and Jeff Beck matriculated within the purview of the Yardbirds, but I never actually listened to any records. Produced in the mid 60's, before the ascendancy of bulging crotch, denim bell-bottom jeans blues-rock bands... I didn't expect much sonorous volition, and starting out it seemed it was going to be an hour of insufferable skiffle. Me, caught off guard after I had tuned out, they shifted in an around a dynamic range of wailing on the blues, belting out massive rock barrages, and then back into mild-mannered folksy bents. Ok, you got my attention.
https://musicboard.app/supermyssk/review/album/roger-the-engineer/the-yardbirds/
I enjoyed listening to this retro album from the 60s. A little before my musical awakening. I love the short song lengths that flow nicely together along with a few of the song titles. Psycho Daisies for one. Beck is excellent and so his the least of the band.
Late 60s psychedelic rockwith Jeff Beck on every song. 4/5
The Yardbirds are so good! And this album is no different. Solid from start to finish.
Bien mon style, varié
Favorite Track: Jeff's Boogie
Once again, it’s very cool to see where our music came from. Proto-rock that I wouldn’t necessarily listen to for its own sake, when the output it lead to is so much better. The seems of LED Zepplin are here, right down to the mystical song titles (“Hothouse of Omagaradhid”, anyone) - and I always presumed ROBERT plant was the source of all that. Musical distant cousin : “What do you want?” and George Thoroughgoods “Who do you love?”
This is the first yardbird’s album I’ve heard and it is excellent. I’ve always known the yardbirds (the Good Morning Vietnam soundtrack was a staple in our family growing up and it included For Your Love) and flagellation always been interested, especially because Clapton, back, and Paige were all members and it was a big part of the birth of zeppelin. Much more experimental than their singles. A great listen.
7,8/10 ❤️❤️❤️ : The Nazz Are Blue Ever Since the World Began Mr. Zero Shapes in My Mind - Version 1 🙂🙂🙂 : Lost Women Rack My Mind What Do You Want I Can't Make You Way Over Under Sideways Down He's always there Jeff's Boogie Turn into Earth 😶😶😶 : Happening Ten Years Time ago Farewell Hot House of Omagararshid Psycho Daisies Knowing 🙁🙁🙁 :
Good.
3.5
Yep….another 4 from me.
Roger ya ma... and enjoyed it
This list has been working my nerves the last 3+ weeks and I went into this one with a huge negative vibe, "great another British rock album." But I was pleasantly surprised. I rather liked it. I will definitely give this another listen in the near future, I would assume I will like it even more. Historical context helps make this album that much more amazing. My first listen was, damn, these dudes are technically sound and really understand the concepts of what makes a good blues/rock n roll song. Then I realized this was from 1966 and the shit they are doing on this album was way ahead of the curve and rather ground breaking. They mix blues, rock, rnb and psychedelic into a beautiful package. They do pretty everything well on this album. The vocals have range and don't get stale or repetitive, they have great rhythm, their melodies are engaging without being cliche pop melodies, the music is played very well and is thoughtfully produced. The album has a great progression to it as well. And I would be remised if I didn't mention the guitar on this album, Jeff Beck really flexes his muscles on this album. Overall this is a very good album that showcases a band that might not get the recognition that some our their contemporaries receive, but make music that can hang with the best of them. This album definitely belongs on this list, great piece of work. I really don't comment on album art, but I love this seemingly random sketch as the cover. 8.8/10 141/1001
Good stuff
Reminds me of the mod revival 79
Young eric clapton and friends showing skills.
I think I’ve heard the Yardbirds before, although I’m not certain. I may even have reviewed another of their albums. This one definitely took me in with the raw energy of it all, while still keeping enough catchy melodies to enable a good time. The beauty of it lies not only in the lack of the overproduction, but also in the simplicity. Sometimes, you don’t want Mozart, you just want fun.
So many good songs, garage rock and indie sounding tracks that have more life in them than most songs produced nowadays
hells yeah
3.5 stars. Nice riffs at times, especially in the standout "Over, Under, Sideways, Down". Pulls from older Blues rock and can tell how it influenced a lot of future genres (hard rock, acid rock, psychedelia).
Great album!
It sounds like a bunch of slightly posh white guys trying to ‘have a good time’, and rather annoyingly they are.
Engggy
I really enjoyed this. I've always known the Yardbirds are historically important, but never knew where to put them. Still don't know where to put them but this is fun.
67/1001. Don't know too much about the Yardbirds except that Clapton, Page and Beck all were guitarists at some point, and that this is the album my sister had and we jammed along with it in the late 80's. Good feeling and quite a fun album for.mw then. Next.
Post-Clapton but pre-Page Yardbirds. A band more legendary for its membership rather than its output. A pretty good collection of original work though.
Most impressed with ground-breaking style for 1966 but not a very cohesive album.
Seen this one in shops but never listened to it before. Pretty good, I liked it. Part of He's Always There sounds just like When I Grow Up by The Pussycat Dolls. Best song: Over, Under, Sideways, Down Notable(s): I Can't Make Your Way, He's Always There, Ever Since The World Began
A lot of fun
I quite liked it. It sounded more modern that it is which is impressive.
As a Clapton fan, of course I know who the Yardbirds are. I knew of Page & Beck being in the band, but this is the first time I had heard either of them with the band. Although the material sounds a bit dated, it's pretty good stuff. Listened to the mono version of the album, but Spotify has both versions mashed together, which is kinda weird. Still, I enjoyed this more than I expected. Beck's guitar is always a treat to listen to. Top tracks: "Lost Woman," "Over, Under, Sideways, Down", "Jeff's Boogie," "He's Always There"
It's crazy that the Yardbirds launched Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, AND Jimmy Page. Beck is of course outstanding on this album (the only one of the three to appear here). A lot of the songs take basic rock and roll sounds and pump them up to 11 and then they add new twists and turns. There were a lot of instances on this album where I could hear how The Yardbirds influenced future sounds (did anyone else think the first half of Ever Since the World Began sounds like Black Sabbath?). Admittedly the album sounds pretty dated, but is definitely a good listen (and grew on me with each subsequent listen). Favorite tracks: Over Under Sideways Down, The Nazz are Blue, Jeff's Boogie, What Do You Want (sounds like it could be a Who song).
I think I had a good time listening to this, it's kinda folky but with some fun swing vibes too it, not sure if I would even listen to again but it's sitting at a 4
I did not know that Jimmy Page was in a band with Eric Clapton. Very talented guitar playing. Good songwriting. I especially liked Hot House of Omagarashid. The album had a good variety of songs that swung from old style rock n roll, blues, rockabilly, and 60's psychedelic, and even a harmonious little piano diddy sing along (Farewell). Cool stuff!
This was great! Super cool rocks and jams, especially for this era. I'm a fan.
Some incredible guitar on this album which, looking into the band, makes sense. Almost funny how far ahead the guitar is over the singing. FS: He's Always There.
Who is Roger the Engineer? Why was he an engineer? What had set him down this path? Did he grow up in a family of engineers? Or was it just a profession saddled on him in order to give him something that provided stability? Is he good at engineering? How much is he getting paid for it? Is he happy being an engineer? If not, then what does he want to be? Perhaps Roger is only an engineer for the money, so that when he saves as much as he can, he can do whatever he likes. That's a reasonable enough endeavor, no one should do one whole thing forever; there's a whole world to explore. But, for now, Roger is just an engineer and he's probably good at it. And that's good enough for the time being. Favorites: Lost Woman, Over Under Sideways Down, Farewell, Hot House of Omagararshid, Jeff's Boogie, He's Always There, What Do You Want.
Diverse and groovy 60's rock
Funky
It is interesting to see Jeff Beck’s progress towards a more raw sound that he will achieve with the Jeff Beck Group.
This album is pretty good. A lot of quite unique instrumental parts. I think a lot of music from previous decades can sound very dated or stuck in it’s time but this albums unique instrumentation helps it retain its edge. Unique arrangements over 12 bar blues, interesting guitar tones, weird instruments. It also feels like it straddles the line between tight and sloppy, feeling as if it can fall apart at any moment. I’ve definitely heard records that heavily incorporate the blues and are an absolute slog to get through but I feel this one manages to cut through. Some stinkers in there for sure but overall the tracks are pretty good Fav tracks: - Happening Ten Years Time Ago - Psycho Daisies - Lost Women - Over Under Sideways Down - The Nazz Are Blue - Hot House of Omagararshid - He’s Always There (Pussy Cat dolls stole this riff too lol)
Ik ken veel te weinig van The Yardbirds, dus ik ben blij dat ik deze mocht beluisteren. Geweldig album! In het begin kwam het precies wat traag op gang (naast Over, Under, Sideways, Down, wat echt een banger is). Dat Jeff Beck een gitaargod was en is, moet je aan niemand uitleggen denk ik. 3.8
First album of this project where I’ve never listened to the band & first album of the project that made me want to look at other discography outside of the selected album. Very reminiscent of other popular 60s rock at the time and I think this album holds its own. Loved the guitar
07/06/2025 It was harmless and decent in places.
Good album with some bangers. “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago” is an excellent psych rock song but the Ya Ya Ya’s on “Hot House of Omagararshid” do get tiring. 4/5
4/5
Solid album that mixes psychedelic rock and blues well. The tone of Jeff Beck's guitar is sublime. Liked Songs Added: Over, Under, Sideways, Down The Nazz Are Blue
Roger the Engineer is a great showcase of everything that made the Yardbirds such an important band — especially when it comes to guitar work. It’s hard not to respect a group that helped launch the careers of guys like Clapton, Beck, and Page. That legacy alone gives the album some serious weight. You can hear the blues roots all over this record, but what’s really cool is how a few tracks start leaning into psychedelic territory. It’s like they’re standing right on the edge of the musical shift that was about to explode in the late ’60s. Favorite song: Lost Woman
A really nice album, seemingly ahead of its time. You can see the beginnings of some rock, and even some psychedelic stuff going on here. Quite enjoyed it.
Such great rockin 60s Brit-blues. Looking at the roster, it’s no surprise they have rippin solos and catchy hooks. They keep you on your toes, not selling into any particular sound.
## In-Depth Review: *Roger the Engineer* by The Yardbirds *Roger the Engineer* (1966) stands as The Yardbirds’ only album of all-original material and the sole LP to feature Jeff Beck on every track. It’s a record that captures both the band’s restless creativity and their transitional status between blues roots and the emerging psychedelic soundscape of mid-1960s Britain. Below is a detailed review focusing on the album’s lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## Lyrics **Eclectic, Playful, and Occasionally Dark** The lyrics on *Roger the Engineer* are a patchwork of playful British wit, surreal imagery, and bluesy introspection. Tracks like “Over Under Sideways Down” employ wordplay and ambiguous phrasing to evoke the disorienting experience of fame and the countercultural mood of the era[7]. “Hot House of Omagarashid” and “Turn Into Earth” delve into psychedelic nonsense, with chant-like vocals and cryptic lines that fit the album’s experimental edge[6]. On the other hand, songs such as “Rack My Mind” and “The Nazz Are Blue” stick closer to traditional blues themes—frustration, love, and personal struggle—though often filtered through a slightly tongue-in-cheek lens[3][6]. “Farewell” stands out for its sensitive treatment of loneliness and existential despair, a rare moment of emotional gravity on an otherwise light-hearted album[3]. **Pros:** - Inventive and humorous, with flashes of genuine pathos. - Lyrics support the album’s experimental, genre-blending character. **Cons:** - Lacks thematic cohesion; the album feels more like a collection of ideas than a unified statement[3]. - Some tracks veer into throwaway territory, with lyrics that feel slight or underdeveloped[4]. --- ## Music **A Fusion of Blues, Psychedelia, and Early Hard Rock** Musically, *Roger the Engineer* is defined by its adventurous spirit and the dazzling guitar work of Jeff Beck. The album opens with “Lost Woman,” a masterclass in dynamic build-up and bluesy rave-up, featuring inventive bass lines, harmonica, and Beck’s feedback-laden solos[5]. Tracks like “Over Under Sideways Down” and “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago” (on some editions) showcase the band’s embrace of psychedelic rock, with swirling guitar effects and unconventional song structures[1][7]. The blues remains a persistent thread, heard in “The Nazz Are Blue” (with Beck on vocals) and “Rack My Mind.” Instrumentals like “Jeff’s Boogie” pay homage to Chuck Berry while pushing the boundaries with speed and technique[1][7]. Experimental numbers such as “Hot House of Omagarashid” and “Turn Into Earth” feature odd time signatures, chant-like vocals, and Middle Eastern influences, reflecting the band’s willingness to push beyond the blues-rock template[6][7]. **Pros:** - Jeff Beck’s guitar work is consistently inventive, blending blues, rock, and psychedelia in groundbreaking ways[2][5][7]. - The rhythm section (Paul Samwell-Smith on bass, Jim McCarty on drums) provides a solid foundation for the band’s experimentation[6]. - The album’s musical diversity is both a strength and a source of its enduring interest. **Cons:** - The album’s stylistic range can feel erratic, with some tracks (“Jeff’s Boogie,” “Rack My Mind”) reverting to standard forms that undercut the more innovative moments[1][2][4]. - Not all experiments succeed; some songs are slight or feel unfinished (“Hot House of Omagarashid,” “Turn Into Earth”)[4]. --- ## Production **DIY Spirit and Studio Experimentation** *Roger the Engineer* was recorded at Advision Studios in London, with bassist Paul Samwell-Smith handling production duties. The band was given a rare week of creative freedom by their label, and the result is a record that feels both spontaneous and experimental[3][7]. Chris Dreja’s hand-drawn cover art and the album’s self-contained production reinforce its DIY ethos[3]. The production is notable for its clarity and inventiveness, especially in the layering of guitars and the use of feedback, distortion, and studio effects. Beck’s guitar is often front and center, but the mix allows space for harmonica, percussion, and vocal harmonies. The album was issued in both mono and stereo, with the stereo version offering a slightly more expansive soundstage[4]. **Pros:** - The production captures the raw energy and inventiveness of the band, especially Beck’s guitar textures[7]. - The album’s sound is crisp and immediate, with a live-in-the-studio feel. **Cons:** - Some tracks suffer from thin or dated vocal production, especially compared to contemporaries like The Beatles or The Rolling Stones[2][6]. - The album’s rough edges can sometimes feel like missed opportunities for refinement. --- ## Themes **Transition, Experimentation, and British Psychedelia** Thematically, *Roger the Engineer* is less a concept album than a snapshot of a band in flux. The songs oscillate between blues tradition and psychedelic exploration, mirroring the broader shifts in mid-60s rock[2][7]. There are recurring motifs of disorientation (“Over Under Sideways Down”), personal struggle (“Rack My Mind”), and playful absurdity (“Hot House of Omagarashid”). Unlike the era’s more ambitious albums, *Roger the Engineer* does not attempt grand statements or unified narratives[3]. Instead, it revels in its own eclecticism, with humor and irreverence often taking precedence over seriousness. **Pros:** - The album captures the spirit of 1966 London, balancing R&B roots with psychedelic innovation[6]. - Its lack of pretension and willingness to experiment are refreshing. **Cons:** - The absence of thematic cohesion may leave some listeners wanting a more focused artistic vision[3]. - The humor and lightness can undercut the emotional impact of the album. --- ## Influence **A Precursor to Psychedelic Rock and Heavy Metal** *Roger the Engineer* is often cited as a pivotal album in the evolution of British rock. Jeff Beck’s guitar work—marked by distortion, feedback, and Eastern scales—helped lay the groundwork for both psychedelic rock and the heavier sounds that would emerge in the late 1960s and beyond[7]. The album’s blend of blues, rock, and experimental textures influenced contemporaries and future acts alike, from Cream to Led Zeppelin (whose Jimmy Page replaced Samwell-Smith in The Yardbirds shortly after this album)[7]. The record’s willingness to experiment with song structures, studio effects, and genre-blending set a template for later psychedelic and progressive rock bands. While it may not have achieved the iconic status of *Revolver* or *Pet Sounds*, its impact on guitar-driven rock is undeniable[5][7]. **Pros:** - Pioneered techniques and sounds that would shape psychedelic rock and heavy metal[7]. - Showcased the creative potential of the electric guitar in a rock context. **Cons:** - The album’s influence is sometimes overshadowed by the later achievements of its members, especially Beck, Clapton, and Page[4]. - Its legacy is more about innovation than commercial or critical consensus at the time. --- ## Pros and Cons Summary | Pros | Cons | |---|---| | Dazzling, innovative guitar work by Jeff Beck[2][5][7] | Lacks thematic and stylistic cohesion[3][4] | | Adventurous blend of blues, rock, and psychedelia[7] | Some tracks feel slight or underdeveloped[4] | | DIY production and all-original material[3][7] | Vocals and lyrics occasionally underwhelm compared to peers[2][6] | | Captures the spirit of mid-60s British rock[6] | Not as consistent or groundbreaking as top albums of the era[2][4] | | Influential for psychedelic and hard rock genres[7] | Influence sometimes eclipsed by later projects of band members[4] | --- ## Conclusion *Roger the Engineer* is a fascinating, if uneven, artifact of its time—a record that bridges the Yardbirds’ blues past with the psychedelic future of British rock. Its strengths lie in Jeff Beck’s groundbreaking guitar work, the band’s willingness to experiment, and its snapshot of a scene in transition. The album’s weaknesses—lack of cohesion, some undercooked tracks, and occasionally thin vocals—prevent it from reaching the heights of the era’s most celebrated LPs. Yet, its spirit of invention and its influence on the evolution of rock music remain undeniable, making it a must-hear for anyone interested in the roots of psychedelic and hard rock.
didnt know it, but very enjoyable album. Pure rock/country. It felt less than 1hour 4/5
Really enjoyed this - and then remembered that Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Geoff Beck make an appearance so not surprised it's so good!
I mean it was weird and trippy but the type of weird and trippy I like. IDK maybe Jeff Beck's guitar is just too good to deny. 7/1p
Really pretty good early blues and guitar rock. Some of the very 60s sounding stuff doesn't age that well. Also, there are at least 2 versions of this album on Spotify. And they're both remastered etc etc. And I would be nice to just listen to the actual album that was out at the time. All of a sudden I'm listening to B sides and various versions of songs never released and it makes the album usually sound worse. No one's fault, just ranting.
I’m starting to see a revolving problem. Lots of proto that’s too proto 7.5/10 Favorite Song: The Nazz are blue
Blues, weirdness, psychedelia...much to dig here...but can't quite get to a five on this one. 4.5
Loved Robert Plant's vocals on th- I MEAN KEITH RELF'S VOCALS ON THIS
A couple bangers on here. Mostly one single blues tone throughout but it works.
Solid
Great guitar playing, cool songs, highly recommend
Honestly, really enjoyed this album. It was long, but kept me engaged. Good vibes, fun songs, enjoyable music. I can see myself coming back to it again. Overall: 3.6/5
Really loved it. Idk if you can call this a super group in the moment - but i mean after the fact abso-friggin-lutely. Just killer instrumentation throughout. Some great riffs, decent melodies...but some good ole fashion rock and friggin roll right here.
4/5
I knew Jeff Beck was in the Yardbird, but today I learned that Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page were as well - that's quite the legacy! If only they attracted a vocalist of the same caliber they'd be a more memorable band. As it is, this is enjoyable more for Jeff Beck's restrained guitar parts than anything especially original or gendre defining.
It's good.
Pretty good and clearly a precursor and inspiration to so much more that would follow.
I took an edible before listening to this album and I think I am way too stoned for “Ever Since The World Began.” It’s a brilliant song but is also putting me on edge so much and giving me tonal whiplash. Yet I keep listening to it on repeat. The album as a whole grew on me as I listened to it. First song didn’t do it for me, but I enjoyed every other song until closer to the end when it all came together for me. But back to “Ever Since The World Began.” I think I’m just going to keep listening to it on repeat until I become completely unsettled or it’s time for bed, whichever comes first.
It’s pretty good and competently performed, but it feels more like a grab bag of random styles than the output of a single band.
Whilst of its time in regard to song length (2 1/2 to 3 mins) and conception (no overall thematic arch) the album whizzes by most enjoyably. Glimpses of the original thinking and nascent guitar genius of Jeff Beck are particularly evident on "Over, Under, Sideways, Down" and "Jeff's Boogie" Well worth a listen
Essential mod. Just such a seductive sound. I should listen to more Jeff Beck
Absolutely quality. Lots of really top notch songs on here - Over, Under, Sideways, Down being one - many of which are great for dancing.
Varied with creative composition and exceptional musicianship. The vocals aren't great and starts to fade toward the end, but Beck really kills here. His guitar tone is extraordinary
Good 60s psychedelic rock. 4 stars
3.5/5
Typical messy mid 60s album (but in a good way). I've been sleeping on these guys apparantly.
Roger the Engineer follows the late-60s blueprint of showcasing a variety of styles, all rooted in a kind of semi-psychedelic rock to musically tie them together. It's clichéd, sure, but it sounds great! The riff in the opening number, Lost Women, is excellent, possibly being the hook-highlight of the entire album. The album continues this energetic feel throughout the album. Other highlights include the similarly great (and musically interesting!) riff in Over Under Sideways Down, the strong basswork in Rack My Mind, the nifty 14-bar blues progression of The Nazz Are Blue, and the impressively consistent, fast drumming in What Do You Want. Judging by the Spotify listens, this album has to be pretty darn underappreciated. Its production is very rough around the edges, but the mood and musicianship and is pretty great. Lowering the rating because one of the band members (Eric Clapton) is an asshole is not justified. (Even crazier is the fact that Clapton is not present on this album, having left the Yardbirds in 1965. So what exactly is being critiqued here?) For consistency, you'd have to apply the same logic to Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, just about every pioneering rock or pop group from the 70s and 80s, and so on. I guess you *could* let every album in this category be ruined forever, but where's the fun in that? Separate the art from the artist. 4/5 Key tracks: Lost Women, Over Under Sideways Down, Rack My Mind
Bluesy
3.5
4 star. I like the cover, the general sounds of whatever I remember processing earlier today
Really solid stuff.
Damn good album. I get the hype around the Yardbirds now. Varied and energetic.
A wildly original album. In essence, it's just a blues rock album of course, but with every song Beck manages to throw in something new and unexpected into the mix, be it the odd guitar sounds, implementation of feedback or seasonings of Indian music. It sounds weird and unique for any time period, let alone for 1966.
Pretty solid 60s rock. I know there's some legends in this group, good to be exposed to them more, I don't know much of their work yet. Some songs sound ahead of their time with guitar solos, and others fit right in the 60s rock pop folky sound. But a good one
Good 60s album. Still good.
Probably some of the best mid60s British blues. None of these tracks come across as derivative, in fact, lyrically these songs shine.
7/10
I wasn't sure what to expect with this album, but I genuinely enjoyed it. I like the guitar a lot, recognized some 12 bar shuffles and some familiar riffs. Will probably listen to this one again.
Yep enjoyed this one
Pretty damn good
Furðulegt band, Yardbirds, helst þekkt fyrir gítarleikarana sem gengu til liðs við þá og urðu frægari eftir að þeir hættu. Keith Relf er heldur ekki mjög merkilegur söngvari, þótt þetta Brian-Jones-lega hár sé flott. En þarna er samt eitthvað skemmtilegt og ég hlustaði oft. Tæpur fjarki.
Pretty good. A little all over the place, but pretty good.
Brzmi jak odpowiedź na pytanie "Co by było gdyby Beatlesi faktycznie potrafili grać na instrumentach w latach 60-tych?". Przyjemny album. Dziwna akcja z tymi milionami różnych wydań. Oryginalne płyty miały ok. 35min, wersja na Spotify podlinkowana tutaj ma 55min, a moja na Tidalu ma 75min, bo jest cały album dwa razy plus jakieś dodatkowe ścieżki. Ale przynajmniej przesłuchałem dwa razy dzięki temu. Pierwsza połowa "Ever Since the World Began" brzmi jak coś, co mógłby zaśpiewać Ozzy Osbourne w Black Sabbath. Tekst jakby żywcem wyjęty od nich i dzielenie wersów podobne. Słabsze 4, ale 4.
I'm giving the score before listening to the whole album. Fuck the rules! But halfway throughout the album I have feeling that quality is mixed but even best songs are not on the level to bring it to the 5 level. Still overall it's a neat album.
Definitely have heard of The Yardbirds, but really never listened to any of their work. I've definitely heard of Jeff Beck who's guitar work on this album is outstanding. The blues influence is felt throughout mixed in with typical 60's British Pop. Great album, I enjoyed it a lot. 4/5
Best Yardbirds album? A really fun listen. Any band that had Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page in it has to be taken extremely seriously, but ultimately they land on the wrong side of the demarcation that goes down the middle of 60s rock, alongside The Mamas and Papas and other paragons of 60s hip that didn't survive the summer of love (culturally, if not technically). Those individuals achieved escape velocity but they each had to jettison the band to do it.
wanted to rate this lower for being so difficult to find the proper track order for, but, unfortunately, it was really good
Nice album, I was busy all day so although I “listened” all the way through twice it wasn’t a very deep delve.. 3.5/5 but I will need to revisit this
good sound, a little blues and some rock. Would like to listen some more.
I liked this. Decent blues album. But some tracks were better than others.
Haven't listened to this since 2017-18. But a solid album, which shows ahead of its time mix of psych and blues, being that this is from 1966.
Cool stuff. Shame we never heard from that guitarist after this.
A really good album.
Blues, rock, folk, and a little psychedelic rock make this a fun blend of styles to listen to.
Great album, fun variety of sounds. 4 plus, not quite a 5. Will listen again.
Recognized the song “He’s Always There” because The Pussycat Dolls sampled it with their “When I Grow Up”
Jeff Beck's brilliance is undeniable, and I really loved the strange arrangements and weird songs. The 12-bar blues stuff just sounds out of place on this album. Overall, an enjoyable listening experience.
Really enjoyed this.
Everyone talks about the yardbirds, but I really knew nothing about them other than Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. This album is great. I actually did know “over under sideways down”. This album helps me understand the hype on the Yardbirds as well as just British music evolution. This is a great record.
Classic. It grew on me.
A fun time! Nice mix of bluesy and psychedelic. “Ever Since the World Began” is a bizarre closer, especially since there’s already a song called “Farewell” on the album.
the listening experience is kinda messy on spotify, I hate when a band combines every release of an album into 1 album and it's the main one. The music was pretty good, well rounded mix of tracks with a lot of flair, definitely feels of the era but it's a really nice collection of tracks. Couldn't really tell if there was a through line for them or anything.
Holds up well. A lot of albums of this genre and age don't sound great, but this has a lot of personality and some killer songs, too.
I wonder if their engineer’s name was Roger. Seems like a nice dude
This is a good album. There are some duds, but mostly this has a lot of very palatable (if slightly forgettable) blues rock.
I think the Yardbirds was one of those mid-60s bands who's impact was greater than their music. Certainly they seem to be emerging from the blues-based music into a slightly psych-tinged style here. Not bad, but very variable in track listing (UK vs US versions).
Christopher Guest’s character in Spinal Tap is a dead on impression of Jeff Beck. Makes me like this more. This is not my usual thing, but it is legitimately very good. So influential.
Very proto, dinosaury or something like that, i felt like i was in the 60´s smoking nice weed and dancing some weird stuff on an open place hahahhaha
So many sounds and images of music to come, that did come from the inflennce of this album. The Beatles didn't drive all of the future of music. No offence to the Beatles.
I keep forgetting I like the yardbirds and then every once in a while get something like this to remind me.
Apple Music only had a deluxe version. I edited it down to what Wikipedia shows as the original UK release, and it was 3 minutes shorter. Why can't they just have the original release as an option. Anyway, I like it, and after this whole challenge is over, I'll go back and listen to the deluxe. Favorite track: He's Always There
I've got to start this by saying I miss bands having dumb names for albums based on weird drawings that the whole band probably didn't even want to use. Beck is a killer guitarist and the vibe on the album is great. Enjoyed this listen and will give it another shot soon. I've meant to look into The Yardbirds for a while. Glad they're on the list
After the first two tracks I was ready to give this a 5. At track 4 it lost some momentum. Then from there it started feeling less cohesive as an album. Started to feel like it was trying to offer something for everyone. That being said I liked most of the songs. Especially the Blues influenced stuff. I might revisit this but it's a 4 just for feeling a bit unfocused.
Dobre utwory. Niektóre lepsze, niektóre gorsze, ale czuć jakość grania. 4/5
Blown away by this album!
Nice! I really enjoyed it
This is really fun, and there is some very original composition, never listened to in entirety before. Enjoying it a lot. 4 stars
I'm genuinely shocked at two things: 1. How big of an influence they seemed to have had. From Frankie Valli through The Presidents of the United States to goddamn South Park, I kept recognizing tunes I've heard in newer compositions. 2. JIMMY PAGE AND JEFF BECK?
Beetje Stones-achtige blije jarenzestigmuziek. Ik vind dit best geinig, maar ik vraag me wel af wat er zo ontzettend speciaal aan is dat het in deze lijst moest. Een drie-en-een-halfje.
Ik had een ander beeld bij Tuinfluiters. Maar ach ja. Dit is best een geinig plaatje. Niet om regelmatig op te zetten. Meer iets dat je hoopt tegen te komen op een klein festival. Het voelt lekker ongedwongen. Dat zal met het decennium te maken hebben. Je hoort ook wel wat experimentjes, zoals ook in dat decennium hoort. Maar het schiet daar niet in door. 3,5 ster * geluisterd naar de UK-versie.
4.25
Roger is a darn good engineer
A band I’d always intended to listen to but had always put off. Very enjoyable and full of energy. Feels very ahead of its time and Jeff Beck’s guitar work is superb, particularly for 1966. Psycho Daisies & Lost Women were the stand out tracks for me.
Freakin fabulous
Have heard of The Yardbirds and know For Your Love, didn't recognize any of the tracks on this. As answer to a question posed by another reviewer : Yes I know who Keith Relf is and no it didn't know he was The Yardbirds lead-singer. I know Keith from the first incarnation of the band Renaissance, problem is that I much prefer the later incarnation of that band after Keith and his sister had left. Mostly because I much prefer Annie Haslam as singer over Jane Relf. Returning to this album I don't care about the music but it gets 4 stars for the bands importance as a breeding ground.
אלבום מצוין. מרגישים את הגולמיות של לד זפלין והגיטרה של גף בק
First Yardbirds album for me. I somehow knew a bunch about the band but not their actual music. Really enjoyed this. Lots of interest going on throughout the record.
Quite good. Might be a grower.
60s rock that serves as a good example of how experimentation paved the way for what's to come. varied yet consistently jangly and vivacious tunes with creative panning effects. despite having a sound that goes right along with other bands during this time, this album at least does it in a way in which i enjoyed. i like listening to songs where the bands sound like they're having fun you know?
Really cool little album. 4 stars as it feels like a collection of sounds rather than a cohesive album.