Reviews (page 4 of 8)
This is one of those classic history albums that set the foundation for a lot of rock bands to come including Led Zeppelin, Jeff Beck and everything that Clapton did. On its own,it feels a little bit like a dated time machine bridging the 1950s rockabilly with the late 1960s rock and heavy metal movement. From historical context this is a pretty cool and important album. Jeff Beck’s guitar work definitely set the stage for his own solo careers coming up starting with the album truth which is a great album. We see an example of that with Jeff’s Boogie. The song Farewell almost has a Beatles sound to it and Turn into Earth definitely set the sage for a psychedelic rock. Favorite song was probably What Do You Want, which almost feels like a Who song. Overall summation: this album is definitely important from musicologist.
Random thoughts: * I listened to this album twice through. While fine, I wasn't blown away by anything here. Perfectly fine music. * It kinda sounds like Chuck Berry filtered through 60s British psych rock. * While this is Jeff Beck across the album and he is known for being an amazing guitarist, I didn't particularly notice while listening.
The vocals suck which is a shame because Jeff Beck can shred.
Lite för kaotisk för min smak
?? ok spannend, wiki: ??Jeff Beck Bandleader und Sprungbrett für Clapton und Page und Yarbirds werden dann Led Zeppelin...Brit Blues inspired early pop psychodelic rock, neben Beatles und Stones. c
Mid 60s rock. Not bad, by any means, and at least it's post-Clapton, but no standout tracks
I liked this. Cool little blasts of creativity.
don't these cats know that guitar music is on the way out?
Most interesting song here was Jeff's Boogie for sure, followed by What Do You Want. The rest was kinda meh.
It was fun to listen to some Jeff Beck guitar playing, but overall this record kind of just blends in with other rock music of the era. Best Track: Over Under Sideways Down
Another new album for me, but I really love the rock here. Lost Women is a fantastic opener, with a very catchy hook. There's some 60s-standard blues rock here that is decent but doesn't feel new or different in any way to most of what came out at this time. After the opener a lot of this felt a little underwhelming. I'm guessing at the time this stuff was blowing people's minds but for me, in 2025, it wasn't as impressive/interesting. Overall a fine, not great or even really good, listen. 2/5
Možda je čudno s obzirom na bogatu povijest benda nikad nisam posluša ni jedan album yardbirdsa
Musically, great stuff. But the ‘60s is strong with this one. Think I’ve moved on from 1966 (when I was two).
i mean pretty good overall. Old rock and roll that is a good vibe! hight 3 stars
Wolt commercial music.
This is a good fun blues album, but that's all it is
Eclectic
Great Songs: Lost Woman, Jeff's Boogie Good Songs: Happening Ten Years Time, Psycho Daisies, Over Under Sideways Down, The Nazz Are Blue, I Can't Make Your Way, Rack Your Mind, He's Always There, Turn Into Earth, What Do You Want, Mid Songs: Farewell, Hot House Of Omagararshid, Ever Since The World Began Bad Songs:
It’s fine - Jeff Beck was so good. I have been listening to so much psychedelic/blues rock from this era, that I’ve become a little tired of it though
Hat mir ziemlich gut gefallen. Abwechslungsreich und frisch, obwohl so alt.
No me intereso demasiado. De esta época y estilo lo único que creo que me puede llegar a atraer son los Beatles.
This may have been seen as groundbreaking at the time, but not today.
interesting
Grande Album, band assolutamente sottovalutata
Not many loveable songs on here, but a spectacular blues/rock guitar is there subliminally as well as featuring on some tracks - Jeff Beck.
Good, but not terribly memorable
Lowkey loved this so much the vibe was so much fun like beachy kinda?
Great early Jeff Beck guitar work, Over Under Sideways Down being a standout song.
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.
I found this an example of good but not enjoyable. I’m feeling harsh today so that means a 2
Ya' know, I don't think I've ever actually listened to The Yardbirds before today, or at least nothing from this album. I find this hard to believe, but I'm listening to this and it's not anything I remember. I'm liking what I'm hearing. Solid rock-blues. "Ever Since The World Began" is insanely reminiscent of Ozzy Osbourne, and seemed out of place, but was a great track. I think I would have liked this album more if it was just the original album tracks and not the extra 30 minutes of alternates and demos that were included in the Spotify album, I assume from an extended CD release.
- 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
Not what I was expecting. More blues based, which makes sense given the lineup. Very young Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, and the playing shows that.
Nothing about this screamed "I must listen again"
One very VERY good song
Rock dos anos 60, eu gosto muito. Mas essa banda, Yardbirds, eu nunca me aprofundei apropriadamente. Sei que ela é composta de um trio fantástico de ótimos guitarristas que tiveram carreiras brilhantes depois do fim deste grupo. Ao ouvir o disco é fácil entender porquê. A musicalidade é ótima, o arquétipo de ingleses se fantasiando de americanos e tocando um blues grosseiro. As guitarras certamente roubam o show aqui, ainda mais porque o vocalista deixa um pouco a desejar. Sua presença nessas canções é minguante, e sendo assim, muitas das faixas do álbum nunca passam para além de medianas. Uma grande pena, mas como eu já havia dito, não há desperdício quando pensamos nas carreiras que esses músicos tiveram depois do desmembramento dos Yardbirds. Com efeito, é um bom disco. É interessante, é passável como mais um Rock-Blues da década de 1960. Têm seus momentos verdadeiramente fortes, e outros um tanto quanto esquecidos. Poderia ser bem melhor, e poderia ser bem pior! 3.5/5
A clear example of the older R&B tradition with the more modern electric rock vibes. Is there any other band where the vocalist is essentially an after-thought to the production line of guitarists? Anyway, I've already listened to way too much "white blokes play R&B" and this barely registered.
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.
good ol' British blues
Highly enjoyable blues, psych and rock with plenty of experimentation. Will listen again.
Eh, not super into it
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/
Meh. Clearly technically skilled people, but not sure the it worked as an album for me.
The track listing here is so weird on streaming platforms, it puts two singles that weren’t included in the original release up first. They’re fine singles on their own, short and simple, but ultimately don’t leave me wanting for more. These weren’t accounted for when rating this album, but rather for added context as others are bound to see something similar when first listening to this album. Tangent aside, the album really begins with Lost Woman, and sets the tone really well for what to expect for the rest of the album. That being said, if you’re not a fan of this song, there’s a good chance you won’t like the rest of this album. All the songs are short and get right to the point, really not wasting too much time. Farewell stands out here, being a great palette cleanser for the middle of the album. It’s short, sweet and honestly adorable, and on a Vinyl it’d mark the end of Side A on a rather tame note. By the halfway point of almost every single one of these songs however, you get a sense of “ok I get it, now what’ll they do to switch things up?” And the answer is mostly that they won’t do much to blow your mind. Songs feel repetitive as a result, and it doesn’t leave a lasting impression whatsoever. This album is solid, and for being one of the pioneers to psychedelic rock, it sets the groundwork for artists to come. Still, the album feels like it lacks the substance it needs to distinguish itself from its contemporaries, making it feel dated while still being a fine enough album.
229/1089 - Starts out with "the lick" on Happenings Ten Years Time Ago. Using "the lick" isn't a good or bad thing, it's just the first thing I noticed. Cool psych and blues rock sound with a fair amount of variation throughout while sticking to pop-oriented song structures. I definitely want to listen to more Jeff Beck after this.
I love a bunch of Yardbirds tunes, but I've found that whenever I look into the deeper cuts they don't do as much for me as I'd expect. This album was a bit like that. The music wasn't bad, but almost none of it really stood out. Jeff Beck's guitar playing isn't nearly as prominent as you'd expect, and a fair number of tracks have little to write home about in that department, which is strange. Don't get me wrong: there's some cool ass playing in there, but with a fucking wizard like him you'd think most songs would be a lot more centered around the guitar. "Rack My Mind" and "Jeff's Boogie" are two obvious exceptions there. Yeah, I liked this album enough to give it some more time, but the first listen and a half didn't do much for me.
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
Jeff beck is a solid guitarist. This album is think and lacking otherwise. Tasty morsels on white toast without any sauce.
Normally when the daily album appears on this list, I immediately have an opinion of the artist even before listening to the record. I do, however, listen with an open mind. In this case, my expectations were that this would be standard British 60s stuff from the Yardbirds. But, this album was a very pleasant surprise. Each track was different, and the album cover was goofy (although that has no effect on the rating),
Maybe it's just the Magilla Gorilla pose, but this album cover reminds me of the doodles in my dad's old board games (or, alternatively, the art on the "Navigator" card in Dominion). OK, time to (re)learn about who the Yardbirds are (I know they're historically significant because my friend took a 60s music class in college and was always talking about the Yardbirds, but not enough for me to learn anything about them). Ah, it's Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page (plus other less famous dudes, sorry to those guys). Though only Jeff Beck is on this album. Eric Clapton also did like 50 other things, none of which I've liked. I know nothing about Jeff Beck. I wonder if Beck is named for him. Jimmy Page may have been involved with starting Google. Or Led Zeppelin. Two great evils. The music, you say? The music is fine. A lot of guitar stuff. The songs are pretty short, which is a plus. I still don't know what a Nazz is, but I don't think it's a nickname for Jesus as Google suggests. Ultimately, this doesn't stand out. A Beatles-ified 70s rock supergroup (in 1966). Someone should make a 'I'm Henry the VIII, I Am' x 'I Can't Make Your Way' mashup. Highlight: 'Farewell' (but confusingly, not the last song)
Subpar psychedelic rock. No standout moments other than Becks guitar solo. 2/5
The Yardbirds are so good! And this album is no different. Solid from start to finish.
Pretty fun album, I can dig it.
straightforward decent rock
Pretty good
Let Beck cook. I can do without most of the rest of the album. 2.75*
Bien mon style, varié
just boring
Way more interested in the Yardbirds who left the nest.
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 🙁🙁🙁 :
I loved a few songs and would have given it a 5 for Jeff Beck's guitar skills, But the vocals on many of the tracks warranted a overall 3 rating.
Good.
Better than I thought it would be - very good, riffy, early example of garage/psych rock. First four tracks are great, but it fades a bit in the back half.
It wasn't bad actually. I thought it'd be terrible, but there's some really good riffs, also references to other styles of music. Like the guitar in Over Under feels a bit Turkish music like. A good listen overall.
Some okay stuff on here and some really cool stuff too. Lost Woman was high energy and catchy, Hot House of Omagarashid had some really interesting sides and a nice driving beat, and the guitar (?) in Over, Under, Sideways, Down (mono version) was really awesome. 2.5/5 stars.
could i write poetry to this? n
This type of Psychedelic Blues music that emerged in Mid-60's England was rendered irrelevant when Jimi Hendrix made the scene. The Yardbirds just don't hold up as virtuosos once you hear what followed them. Jeff Beck did his most significant work well after this. Even Jimmy Page's brief stint as their post-Jeff Beck guitarist just seems like an idling stop over while he was preparing to launch the mighty Led Zeppelin. What remains is a relic best appreciated by nostalgic Baby Boomers and Blues historians.
3.5
One of the iterations of the Yardbirds that doesn’t have the wow factor. Clearly the guitar work is next level, but the song choices and vocals are mediocre.
Yep….another 4 from me.
Seemed OK, if unspectacular.
Roger ya ma... and enjoyed it
Old guy music
Sorta always knew this band as the one that featured Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page for a time. Neither's on this album so it would obviously be advantageous to look as a showcase for Jeff Beck's guitar work whom I've never tried to get into. Nothing is standing out to me. I have a lot of catching up to do with the Blues despite my vast love for the Stones and Bob Dylan. I like "Jeff's Boogie' alright and not just because Destroyer could be referencing it on Dan's Boogie. I listened to then stereo version and hope to listen to the mono before I submit the rating but we shall see. Feeling like I might have to give this one star to accurately portray my statistics at the end of this 3 year journey.
This record is not really what I expected. I've never listened to Yarbirds, but I know Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page all came from this group, so I'm not really sure what I expected. But, it wound up being somewhere in between psychedelic rock and blues and brit pop. Really strange, but parts of it work. This record kinda has a rough start, but as it gets going, it gets better. And honestly, I always thought Jeff Beck was kinda boring as far as legendary guitarists go, but Roger the Engineer set me straight. Not only can he shred, but the tones he employs are pretty forward-thinking for 1966. I really enjoyed this record when they let him go nuts. All in all, this was a lot better than I expected, and I might actually revisit it at some point. 3.6/5
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
not bad
A bit bland in places. But I can see why they're important
I really wanted to like this but it was just noise to my ears.
Pretty cool. Great guitar but the vocals aren’t great on many songs.
Not what I expected. Not terrible Just not particularly memorable. 2.5/5 #152
Ok
Good stuff
Cool, fun, but I didnt feel touched
Reminds me of the mod revival 79
First album with Beck and Page on finds a collection of tracks which don't quite hold up to the singles that came earlier. Some great blues/rock on Over, Under, Sideways, Down and He's Always That and some psychedelia on Happenings Ten Years Time Ago. Just not consistent enough to be a great album but definitely worth a listen.
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.
Enjoyed this took me back.
I understand why this was impactful, and some points are enjoyable, but on the whole it is a bit too noodly and goofy for me. The guitar is impressive but a bit hollow.
So many good songs, garage rock and indie sounding tracks that have more life in them than most songs produced nowadays
hells yeah
Great guitar playing. Otherwise very basic.
Enjoyed the overall blues-rock vibes and generally a good listen but I also thought it was a bit incoherent and all over the place at times, lacked consistency and the feeling that you're listening to an album, rather than a set of rock musicians playing around.
The music was good. The lyrics, though... They are not memorable. Still, not bad.
Not bad but no standouts for me Favourite song: Lost women
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!
A bunch of the dumbest music ever, then Jeff Beck plays something cool, then more dumb music. Glad Jeff went solo.
Difficult to rate fairly given the low quality of the recording. Reasonable white boy blues.
As a listening experience, it doesn't do much for me. And I'm not convinced it's terribly important historically; more deserving of inclusion in a footnote than a page in the annals. The same year the Beatles released Revolver which actually features songs worth hearing, and the next year psych rock is everywhere with scores of albums considerably more interesting to listen to than this. (Side note: I'm 400 albums in and the albums featuring British kids playing at "the blues" outnumber the albums featuring the Black Americans who actually bled it through the music by about 10:1. Not good. )
It sounds like a bunch of slightly posh white guys trying to ‘have a good time’, and rather annoyingly they are.
From the Adventures of Thomas the Wank Engine
Mediocre kinks knock off
Engggy
nice, too bluesy
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.
Some toe tappers, some blah. No real bops.
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.
I like the Yardbirds, but wasn't really feeling the psychedelic stuff on this one. They are a much better band when they are playing blues. Jeff Beck cooks on a few of these songs, which is certainly the highlight.
Of its time - not for me!
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.
I always hesitate slightly when I get more psychadelic rock, but luckily this one is actually okay. It's certainly no Hendrix, but at least it's not pointless annoying bullshit, which is what 99% of late 60s psych rock feels like at this point.
Really enjoyed this one!
2.5 stars I know some very famous guys were in this band. When I hear Yardbirds I think of their cameo in Antonioni’s Blow-Up. Never listened to them til today. It has a kind of a shaggy, proto-garage rock charm. Found myself losing interest after a few tracks.
The Yardbirds are a strange case. Three members of this band are now considered the some of the best, most influential guitarists of all time... but for music they wrote with other bands (Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck). Their later work really overshadowed The Yardbirds... and i kind of get why based on this album. It's not bad, it's just not distinct. It feels like generic 60s blues/psych/hard rock. It feels sooooo 60s, unmistakably 60s. In my mind, there's a huge pile of bands that sound just like this. The piss off is for the yardbirds is that they were the originators of this sound if i'm not mistaken... but then it was so influential and copied that it became cliche. I think this hurt their ability to become timeless like other more unique bands of the time (many of whom ripped them off, i'm looking at you The Doors). If you wanted to pick a cartoonishly 60s song for a movie scene, you could go with the Yardbirds. I could see Austin Powers dancing like a buffoon to their music. Anyways... enough about them in general... is this album any good? Ya, it's pretty good. I listened in Mono as the Beck intended. They're all great musicians (the bassist especially rocks... some really cool bass lines). The generic 60s vocalist guy works ok (maybe that's why they're not well remembered, they don't have a distinct vocalist). Over Under Sideways Down is one of those generic 60s songs I referenced, but it's a great one. I can't make your way is just a fun sing along with some harmonica... maybe? Hot House of Omagararshid is a cool rave up track. Love that drum beat. Jeff's Boogie is some fun Jeff Beck guitar wankery... it works cus it's under 3 minutes. The outro of Ever Since the World Began is super fun, great bass... too bad the first half of the track kinda blows. I'm probably at a 2.5 for this... but i'm going to round up. I feel bad for The Yardbirds, sorta being forgotten, stranded in the 60s... overshadowed by their guitarist. You can feel their influence in a lot of other bands, yet they are largely forgotten. I hope this 3 star rating makes up for things.
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
This is fine. It sounds the same as most of the rock music during that time. It's not bad, it just doesn't stand out to me at all
GOAT
I’d only heard one song by the Yardbirds, For Your Love. I like that song a lot, but it’s not on here. This album wasn’t bad. I liked the non-bluesy songs on it the most. I don’t really know what to make of this album, because it felt all over the place. I guess that could be good, to keep things interesting, but even with the mix of styles it still sounded fairly dull 🤷♀️
Jup. Dit is een blues album. Ook duidelijk een stokoud blues album! Het rockt, je hebt veel blues melodietjes en vooral Over Under Sideways Down heeft een heerlijk riffje dat door het nummer klinkt. Sowieso zijn de riffjes hetgene wat er uit springt op dit album. Msischien is dat sowieso wel een beetje waar je aan denkt bij de blues, maar het is voor mij de eerste keer dat het zo 'duidelijk' is. Nummers zijn super kort, hele album klokt denk ik nog geen 35 minuten. Maar het word wel een beetje samesy voor mij na een tijd. Daarnaast is de recording kwaliteit gewoon matig, logisch ook hoor. Album komt uit 1966, maar toch even benoemen. Prima album, heb me zeker niet geirriteerd en er waren een paar heerlijke riffjes die er best wel uitsprongen, maar overall vind ik het zeker niet goed genoeg voor 4 sterren. Het is gewoon een prima 3 sterren. FAVO: Over, Under, Sideways, Down, Hot house of Omagarashid,
Mmm. a lot of variety, kinda beatlesy but also slightly psychedelic
A lot of fun
Considering the Yardbirds had half of the top ten guitarists of all time on the band, you would think this would have some awesome guitar. It doesn't.
I had to double take on the closer, really thought it was Ozzy for a second. Good listen, though I know Beck is a revered guitarist and nothing here stood out to me too much.
Se ha quedado desfasado, pero fue un buen disco.
Klassischer 60er-Jahre Rock, zu verspielt und anstrengend. Jeder Titel ist gleichzeitig zu simpel und zu komplex. Jedes Instrument scheint unabhängig vom Rest sein eigenes Ding zu spielen. Ein einzelner Track ist perfekt für eine Tarantino-Tanzszene, aber ab 2-3 Titel in Folge nicht mehr fein.
Really old-school rock with a sound to match the time it was made. I get the feeling it probably influenced a lot of later bands with their sound.
This was a pretty good blues album. I think it starts and ends very strong, but there is a small part in the middle of the album where it loses momentum for a bit. The guitar playing was most definitely the standout. The album itself doesn't quite match up to other albums by similar bands in this generator, but I thing it was still quite good.
Bits of this were at least interesting, if not enjoyable. That’s the nicest thing I can say about it
Not great.
It was ok, but its age shows.
I quite liked it. It sounded more modern that it is which is impressive.
Some great guitar work and interesting songs. Some bland parts to start and round out the album
Well, after reaching what is likely my upper-most limit of words to write for an album with System of a Down yesterday, I think it'd be nice to go a bit lighter for today's album. This is a good one to do it with, since I don't really have that much to say about Roger the Engineer. This is another solid 60s rock album. Not much more than that. The Yardbirds are perhaps most famous for being an early point of success for three of the most acclaimed guitarists of all time, with Eric Clapton being in the band early on and Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page being the guitarist later on in the band's career. But in between those two is perhaps the most underappreciated of the three and the guitarist for this album in particular, Jeff Beck. I've listened to an album of his before, and between that and this, I can see why he's a beloved guitarist. He had a considerable amount of talent with the instrument and his guitar work on this album simultaneously feels right at home in the 60s and also ahead of its time. Great stuff. Of course, the rest of the Yardbirds aren't to be slept on, but none of them really stand out as much as Beck. Wouldn't it be funny if I got an album from Beck tomorrow? The other Beck, not Jeff. We'll see! The songs here are good. They're pretty standard blues rock affairs, but not bad ones at all. This is just a good album. Solid 3/5.
For every song I liked there were two I didn't. Some odd choices by talented musicians.
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"
Yawn. Sounds very 60's and British (just listen to I Can't Make Your Way and Farewell) - not timeless in any sense of the word. For sure there is good guitar work here because it's the Yardbirds (Jeff Beck on this album); good bass work too. Best examples were Lost Woman, Over Under Sideways Down, The Nazz are Blue, Rack My Mind, He's Always There, and What Do You Want. Not a big fan of Jeff's Boogie even though it was a big feature for him. Felt forced. Honestly, I was bored just as often as I was excited listening to this album.
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
Interesting
Fine
Yeah sorry Roger but I don’t know about this one. I’m just finding a hard time seeing why it blings on this list- I’m sure I can see why people enjoy it but influential?
A little long in the tooth 60 years on. Yardbirds were/are obviously a massively influential group, being Ground Zero for a trio of legendary British guitarists (of which Jeff Beck - here - was miles beyond the other two yet probably had the lowest profile of them) It's just not filled with great - or sometimes not even good - songs. Hell Beck's guitar playing for 1966 is awesome (and still even if/while he was placed in the pantheon of guitarists this guy was forever underrated right to the end), but it's mostly just subjecting him to playing over (on/under) mediocre songs (mostly rote blues or simple folky arrangements) and extremely uninteresting vocals. Best and even recommended to listen to this once for historical purposes then move to Beck's next group and solo albums. Personal note on "Over, Under, Sideways, Down" - have heard this song in passing since forever but never knew the title, thanks 1001+. Feels rough giving this a 2 - I have no desire to listen again, but it's mostly not *bad* - am fine hearing a track or three...rounding up for historic purposes and Jeff's Boogie. 5/10 3 stars.
Unfortunately this is very dated, definitely an album of its time. However for its time it was a great album. It's no surprise that Led Zeppelin originally were (or wanted to be) called The New Yardbirds. There were so many bit where I could hear the influence they would have on later bands. That said it still stands as a piece on its own. Definitely worth a 3
Just when a good track came along they’d spoil it by being a bit strange.
Shit! I always thought Clapton had something to do with this lot, but no. I quite liked its quirky psychedelia. I shall give it another listen soon as it may grow on me more.
Every track seems incomplete; almost like I'm hearing a free trial of the album instead of the Platinum subscription. It's still decent Blues Rock, but it needed a little more spark. In a way, I can see why they sunk like a lead balloon. Favorite Track: "The Nazz Are Blue".
Fun jam songs, nothing special but a solid listen.
So I was reading the band explanation on Spotify and what I got was so different. They said they rose from the Blues and R&B scene, maybe the British version is very different then the American version because that is not at all what I got (except Jeff's Boogie). I like the majority of it, but it was also a little all over the place, fitting more with pop and psychedelic.
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.
Another boring 60s album. Nothing new
Yet more 60s psychedelic / guitar-thrashing Grandad Rock 🙄 OK, I accept this was a seminal band but Jeff Beck (or Clapton or Page come to that) never, er, floated my boat maaaan 😏
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.
This grew on me the second listen around, some fun arrangements but it sounded like a christmas album in places 😂
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.
Das Werk war für mich eine herbe Enttäuschung. Statt innovativem Rock-Klang bietet das Album größtenteils wirres, unkoordiniertes Gedudel, das weder musikalisch überzeugt noch atmosphärisch trägt. Die teils wilden Experimente wirken eher wie planlose Klangspielereien als durchdachte Songs. Zwei Sterne – einer für den Mut zur Eigenwilligkeit, ein weiterer für den historischen Stellenwert. Hören muss ich’s trotzdem kein zweites Mal.
the album art looks like schizophrenia
Despite hearing of them for many decades, I had not listened to the Yardbirds before this. This album is full of the sounds which came to represent the sound.
I really didn't get much from this album. It felt generic in a bad way. I know the Yardbirds are important, the whole Page-Clapton-Beck thing, but sometimes blues rock can just be dull. I'm sure lots of people out there will dig/do dig this one. It felts about eleven tracks too long
An interesting album but not something I would listen to often. 3 stars or C.
Fairly generic 60s rock, nothing special here 2.5*
British Invasion oldies. Ok.
First one I listened to, and I didn't listen to this one as attentively as I hoped because I was doomscrolling about Iran, so that might've impacted the enjoyment a bit. I sometimes have trouble taking the 1960s singer voice seriously and that was definitely an issue with this album, but there was still a lot to like here — mostly in the first half of the album, which I thought was a lot more interesting and had some killer guitar playing. The second half was a bit slower and felt more like an of-the-era 1960s album, which just isn't really my music at all. Lost attention towards the end for sure. Enjoyed this overall though, fun to listen to while looking out the window in the Eurostar and feeling like you're in a train scene in a movie. Favourite tracks were probably Lost Woman and Psycho Daisies, didn't enjoy Shapes in My Mind or Mr. Zero very much.
Diverse and groovy 60's rock
Cerramos otra semana corta con una banda que ubico de nombre, más no recuerdo haber escuchado sus canciones de manera consciente. Blues rock, psicodelia y muchos ritmos y búsquedas de esa época, de la mano de las bestias del rock que pasaron por los Yardbirds. Hasta el lunes
Funky
Büro, Heidenheim, Deutschland Ganz nett, mehr aber auch nicht.
It is ok.
The look of this album cover perfectly reflects the listening experience of this album. Ugly, confusing and a lack of effort. Singing is not great and the guitars can be decent at times. Second song seems like it doesn't know which tempo it wants to be in. As a result feels disruptive. If there were no lyrics in this album it might be more enjoyable with more space to jam and experiment. Some songs, like What Do You Want, repeat far too many times. Annoying. Almost like a broken record stuck on repeat. If you were patient enough to get to the last song of this album you'll find the second half of the last song, Ever Since The World Began, it's actually not bad. But still falls victim to it's repetitiveness again. "Don't need Money" is now stuck in my head. Thank you Yardbirds cheerio.
Generic 60s
Started OK but quickly descended
What a delight. Great jam session I am excited to listen to again more closely. Loved Jeff's Boogie the most. It's not as hard as Led Zeppelin but you can hear Page's influence.
3/5. This band is the launching point for many guitarists, and Beck really shines through here. I did enjoy many of the songs here, they are still enjoyable for sure, even if dated a bit. It's a solid rock album, I was not finding myself from skipping any songs but I don't think these stand as great songs but still much better than other albums around this time. Best Song: Lost Woman, He's Always There, The Nazz Are Blue
Groovy and fun, especially for the 60’s.
It is interesting to see Jeff Beck’s progress towards a more raw sound that he will achieve with the Jeff Beck Group.
Listened in Mono. Guitar is very good, album cover freaks me out. My god the haircuts on these boys. Horribles. Who decided those? Why? For what reason? Incomprehensible. Nightmarish. Hot House of Omagararshid has a really cool sound to it. I love the wibble-wobble noise there. He's Always Looking There is very well layered. The percussion is addicting and the güiro (?) is really unique. Turn into Earth is also really nice. The bell, the vocals, and the wind-like noise really contributes to this very church-like atmosphere. The guitar is REALLY good. Happenings Ten Years Time Ago is a good sign of this. The acoustics on Mr Zero is really nice. The latter have is much, much stronger. I don't particularly like Knowing right now, but I probably will later. Blue Sands feels very Cowboy Bebop...though it's definitely the other way around. Rating System: 1/5 (1-2/10) = Bad 2/5 (3-4/10) = Mediocre. 3/5 (5-6/10) = Good, but wouldn't listen to again. 4/5 (7-8/10) = Good, would listen to again. 5/5 = New favourite. Solid 2/5, with a lot of 4/5 songs in the back half, but kinda weak as an album, and way too long. Specifically, 3/10 as an album. Highlights: Hot House of Omagararshid Turn into Earth Happenings Ten Years Time Ago Mr Zero Knowing is a song I'll probably get into later. Blue Sands might be good for a Cowboy Bebop playlist.
Some real catchy elements in this record, and I find the production interesting. Found it hard to maintain interest in it the entire way through however.
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)
Never listened to the Yardbirds before, always wrote them off as being another the Who but with one racist guitarist, one overated guitarist, and one nonce guitarist (Oh I guess that last one is like the Who too). Oh how I was wrong. Not about the guitarists that still holds up. But this was a pretty interesting album. Some very uniquely questionable production choices especially on the first song, but I mostly enjoyed this album. The backing vocals doing weird chants (apart from in the last song where they just say money lol that made me cringe), the guitar solos, the interesting song structures and break aways from the blues chords, yeah this was really cool. Especially love the early use of Fuzz on He's Always There, sounds thick af. Favourites - Lost Women, Hot House of Omagarshid, Jeff's Boogie, He's Always There
Not much to say about this one other than it’s a decent album that has decent songwriting and is a reasonably good representation of its time. Fairly run of the mill, all in all. Can’t discredit it too much as it would have been quite cutting edge when it was released, and displays some influence on artists to come for the late 60s and early 70s, but even still rock music quite quickly moved away from this sound once heavy metal started to dominate. Lost Women (7/10) Over Under Sideways Down (7/10) The Nazz Are Blue (8/10) I Can’t Make Your Way (6/10) Rack My Mind (6/10) Farewell (7/10) Hot House of Omagararshid (5/10) Jeff’s Boogie (6/10) He’s Always There (6/10) Turn Into Earth (8/10) What Do You Want (6/10) Ever Since the World Began (6/10) 6.5/10
Ålreit det. Litt lei miks, mye mer lyd på venstre-øret enn det høyre.
Oh man, this album is all over the place. You can definitely hear the transition happening from the rock of the late '50' and early '60's to the sound of the later 60's. I even hear some hardcore/punky sounds in there. Other tracks make me hear the sounds of blues and/or jam bands. And then there's just some weird stuff. I'll be honest that other than "For Your Love" I don't know much about the Yardbirds other than they were a British band in the '60's. Listening to it feels like something between the later Beatles and the Moody Blues, with a dash of extra drug use. I bet this was pretty edgy back in the day, but it kind of gets washed in with the rest of '60's Brit rock from the time today. Probably more famous for being the launch pad for Clapton and Page.
British blues rock has a tendency to come off as weak to me, so i'm happy that a few of the tracks here are proper facemelters (thank you Jeff Beck!). generally the more weird and psychedelic songs are the better ones. good album overall. scrappy n youthful n very of its time in a charming way deserves to be one of the 1001? wasn't expecting to say so... but yes
The Eric Clapton band. Sounds alright. Song writing more entertaining than most of the music coming out around that time. Not beating The Beatles
Fun, nice and soft album.
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
3.5
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
That was some good classic blues rock
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
Some good blue-sy stuff on here, and some nice psychodelia but it's a bit long a quite a bit of filler.
Gladlaks rockabilly. Helt ok.
Osrednji starinski rock. Pomalo je žalosno što mi ljepše zvuči mono verzija. Ima dobrih stvari, sveukupni dojam nije nešto.
Some songs feel like a real showcase for Jeff Beck's guitar playing, but I found this to be wildly inconsistent and the vocals completely forgettable.
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
Typical odd 60s fare
Near the beginning of this album I was ready to give it a three, but it wore on me as it went on and the I try to Ever Since The World Began tipped me down to a two.
This isn't actually very good. It is only historically significant.
I like this album overall, but you can hear the self-indulgent prog/psych shit seeping in, which I did not like as much.
Sounds like Beatles or is it just 60s sound :) Mr.Zero, for example. Hot house of Omagarashid added to favorites :) I am always impressed, how is it possible to make boogie interesting and that Jeff's Boogie is really cool
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.
Interesting riffs
Nice guitars but feels dated
6.5/10
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.
not bad - reminds me a little of early status quo, twangy guitars and all that
Great bass playing on the first track. Some of this gets a little shaggy for my taste, but it's still enjoyable enough.
didnt know it, but very enjoyable album. Pure rock/country. It felt less than 1hour 4/5
Uhmmm si? Ya me olvidé Nota: 2.4
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
Decent balance of hard rocking songs and more unique songs. I actually enjoyed the “ya ya ya” song more than any of the others on the album.
Decent mid-1960s blues rock album, but artwork is more original than most of the record. I didn't hate it. This album was fine, but nothing exemplary. The best track is "Jeff's Boogie." Why is that? Because no one is singing. It's just Jeff Beck jamming.
It was fine.
Bit random and strange. A lot sounded the same. Songs are quite short but there are a lot of them. Good to just put on in the background, but not my fave.
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
This is the hundred ninth album I’m rating. I've never liked The Yardbirds that much I've always thought they had made bad music despite a lot of talent. Adding to my Playlist - Lost Women, Over Under Sideways Down, The Nazz are Blue, I Can't Make Your Way, Rack my Mind, Farewell, Hot House of Omagararshid, Jeff's Boogie, He's Always There, and What do you Want. Not Adding to my Playlist - Turn into Earth and Ever Since the World Began. Lost Women - Maybe I was wrong. All in all I liked 10/12 songs. Cool album and surprised me. I really thought this entire album would all be like Turn into Earth.
I enjoyed this song to song. Nothing blew me away but solid.
p98. 1966. 3 stars. 60s mismash of sub-par songs and bland vocals, saved from a 2 star rating by incendiary guitar work from Jeff Beck. I suspect this one is on the list as a reminder of how good they were as a live act.
This doesn’t stand out at all, not seeing why it was included on this list
Old school rock vibes, but the best so far I've heard especially considering it's British rock 🥴 Still don't prefer it. 2.6
Blues, weirdness, psychedelia...much to dig here...but can't quite get to a five on this one. 4.5
Enjoyed it. Standout songs: Over under sideways down Jeffs Boogie Hes always there
Jeff Beck's guitar work made this album worth a listen. That's all...
Yardbirds, the band great musicians were in before they were good. It's a mess. The singing is not very good. Guitars are at times, but not all the time. Most of the songs are not that great. Favorite song: lost women
This album has a very 60s feel to it, but not in a way that is confined to any specific genre. There is a definite psychedelic influence, but there's also rockabilly and early 60s pop influences. This album at once sounds like more authentic blues than the other two but at the same time strays further away from the blues. Jeff Beck's guitar does a lot.
another case where the legacy of an album is more interesting than the music itself. with Jeff Beck on lead guitar, I think I came into this expecting more fireworks, but for the most part this is a pretty by-the-numbers British 60s blues rock session. Beck does get a few decently entertaining solo turns on tracks such as "Rack My Mind" or the instrumental "Jeff's Boogie," but you also have to sit through some truly tacky cuts too, such as the piano ditty "Farewell" or the overly silly "Hot House of Omargararshid" (complete with "yah-yah-yah" group vocals). I can appreciate that this album had a tremendous impact on the shape of rock music to follow, but its value beyond that is somewhat limited, in my view. strong 5/10.
60s, I’m not into it.
I can't believe the Pussycat Dolls inspired the Yardbirds
More of an eccentric blues sound mixed into some brit rock. Some cool guitar playing, but everything else about it was kind of forgettable
I quite enjoyed this on in the background, although I don't think I'd do a deeper listen or actively seek it out again.
It has Jeff Beck there, rocking and being amazing as lead guitar player. It's 1966 and he is being literally a guitar virtuoso. Great drum/bass and guitar sound in several songs, quite an interesting drum sound for a record of that era Interesting record.
3/5
Meh
Jeff Beck is your favorite guitarists favorite guitarist. He is the obvious draw to this album as his playing is top notch. Solid British blues rock. Dig it.
It was fine
I’ve always felt that the Yardbirds were a breeding ground for great guitarists and a proto-Led Zeppelin. Mostly I knew them for three songs: For Your Love, shape of Things and Over Under Sideways Down. This album has the third. Featuring Jeff Beck as the guitar virtuoso surrounded by a sea of mediocrity, it still is a good listen. But it makes me wonder when Jimmy Page is showing up. Favorite song: Jeff’s Boogie (the instrumental, which should tell you something). 3⭐️
Right off the bat, let’s all agree that Pink Floyd lifted part of track 3, “The Nazz Are Blue”, for “Money”. Cool, now that we’re all in agreement… This is pretty rad record. You’d expect interesting guitar parts from a band that had Jeff Beck in their ranks, but the surprising thing here is how textural and atmospheric the guitar parts are in many places rather than full-out blues based rock bombast. Add in the occult-ish chanting/backing vocals that pop up through out and you’ve a got a pretty unique 60’s psych record.
I enjoyed this album. Having never really listened to the Yardbirds I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I got was some psychedelic blues mixed with some straight forward blues.
Eh.
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.
Is it remarkable that one band had, at various times, Clapton, Beck, and Page? Sure. Do I like any of those three as guitarists? Not really, but I do have time for Beck every now and again. This should be the Yardbirds that most speaks to me, then, but it doesn’t. English guys doing blues, English guys doing psychedelia, no thanks.
A tour de force of rock and roll
man I love some good blues and harmonica but a guy has his limits. Its got a bit of a honky tonk blues vibe to it at some points, which is cool, but if you've heard long blues riffs and noodling there is nothing new here.
It was fine. Some interesting songs… some shitty blues. One and done from them and I think that’s all I’ll give it as well
There's something about Lost Women that works for me. The rest, eh.
Solid
Great guitar playing, cool songs, highly recommend
It's fine. It just sounds like everything else from that moment in time. It's clear the '60s were an important era for modern music, but I'm starting to feel like some bands were a little over rated. Maybe I needed to be there.
3.5
Lost Women is a highlight, I Can't Make Your Way is terrible, and there are some really odd genre-defying tracks that never really hit the mark. Overall quite a boring listen.
It has some good psychedelic Songs on that Tape! At times it sounded a bit like Demos but it had good and interesting Songs (2.5/5.0)
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
Good old fashioned 60’s rock and roll
Mid-60’s rock
Interesting that this band had 3 of the big guitar players (not at once): Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck. The popular track is "Over, Under, Sideways, Down" -- it's OK. I prefer "He's Always There". The rest of the album has a mix of blues rock and 60's sounds. It's alright.
Stylistically all of the place, in a way that made the album feel slippery and hard to sink my teeth into. Some of it I liked quite a bit, and other stuff left me cold.
Not bad. Enjoyed the more rollicking rock songs vs when they're aping the blues (Nazz are Blue) or attempting folk (Farewell) - but honestly doubt I'll remember any of it after tomorrow.
ist halt auch schon alt/älter
Mixing medio raro con el stereo. Canciones medias aburridas pero que en realidad son muy buenas técnicamente en al guitarra (Jeff Beck).
Beck, Beck, Beck and more Beck. It's nothing special but Beck shines and shows his huge potential
Solid classic rock. There is some solid guitar work on this album.
I’ve never liked the Yardbirds. Really just a cover band ripping off 30 year-old blues riffs without crediting the source. They have always sounded unimaginative, uncreative and boring while led by the 2 biggest riff-thief’s of all time. However, sandwiched in between these 2 freeloaders is Jeff Beck. This album, with Beck at the helm, is different than the rest. It’s more creative, fun and wholly innovative with a wide range of styles, instruments and mood swings. Despite their general lack of good lyrics and crappy vocals, this is really their best album by a wide margin. Beck simply makes everyone around him better. Thank you Jeff Beck. RIP
Honestly. This is the first album I’ve DNFed. I just am not interested and it’s so insanely long. WHY 31 TRACKS DUDE????? Maybe if I could have gotten through the whole thing it would be like a two cause it’s not offensive hideous music, it’s just very so much boring. But I don’t think I can give something I didn’t even make it through more than a one. The only note I have is that as someone who had NEVER listened to Fleetwood Mac and have no idea what they sound like, the first few tracks of this album is what I imagine they sound like. So do what you will with that.
I lowkey wanted to hate this album but it really wasn’t that bad. Kinda long, but that’s cuz there doesn’t exist a non deluxe version for some reason on Apple Music smh. So just taking it at main album value it was pretty decent but nothing mind blowing.
deserves a 3/5, only because of Jeff Beck's presence on this LP.
Bluesy, Chuck Berry-ish, a bit churchy, and dated. Definitely had that 60s sound. Beck’s (Jeff, that is) guitar shined, the rest not that impressive. L = (1.5*s) extra .5 ‘cause they had to compete with The Beatles J = (2.4*s) We had a Yardbirds bootleg on vinyl at 4Ex that blows Roger The Engineer away…
The good ol' Yardie boys (birds). A great band from the 60s-70s that laid down some solid foundation for future rock bands. Always loved the greatest hits album openmindz had but never listened to the studio albums. Roger is a good one with the US version title track taking the top spot. Plenty of great guitar work and support tracks as well. I like them better with the Zep members but the band has consisted of some guitar heroes throughout its lifespan (still touring today but with what members?!)...3.4.
I've only previously been exposed to The Yardbirds through greatest hits. I'm always impressed by their history but have never gone out of my way to listen to their albums. It was nice to have an excuse to check out Roger the Engineer which was a decent 60's rock album. There's still a lot of blues influence but it scratches a certain itch that The Yardbirds were always good at. It's a fine album, nothing special, but I do feel like The Yardbirds deserve an entry. 2.44 stars
60's British Rock; the boundaries of Blues-Rock are being stretched with more intensity and psychedelia, but it ain't the Beatles or the Kinks. Enjoyable but don't see myself coming back to it. Standouts: 'Over, Under, Sideways, Down' 'Jeff's Boogie'
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.
I don’t get it.
Dull
Eric Clapton left the Yardbirds because he thought they were getting too commercial, but who wants to be on Clapton’s side in any argument? I’d rather listen to proto-psychedelic pop rock than a load of white English blokes doing blues covers, and this was so much more fun than I was expecting.
Pretty good! They really did something when they dumped Clapton.
Un álbum clásico del garage (me acabo de enterar de que también lo llaman "blues rock") de los 60. The Yardbirds es un grupo curioso: de él surgieron tres leyendas de la guitarra, aunque en este álbum solo estaba presente Jeff Beck. Sin embargo, más allá de su hit "For Your Love", son casi desconocidos. ¡La mayoría de temas de este álbum tienen menos de 30.000 reproducciones en Spotify! Y precisamente es Jeff Beck el que sostiene el álbum casi en su totalidad. Su guitarra es excelente, mientras que las composiciones son súper sencillas y la voz es pésima. Aunque en su conjunto no tenga mucho de especial, puesto en contexto gana puntos. Además, me han gustado mucho los elementos de psicodelia temprana que hay repartidos por casi todo el álbum. Un álbum importante en la historia del rock y de un estilo que a mí, personalmente, siempre me ha gustado mucho. Me lo guardo, pero tampoco es que sea un álbum increíble.
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.
If I'm being honest I feel a bit intimidated by this. I know the Yardbirds as one of the big 1960's bands though I don't know too much else about them. I however have some passing familiarity with Jeff Beck who appears on here. The tracklist on Spotify is a mess, so I'm only gonna listen to the songs on the original UK release, ignoring any additional tracks. Will be listening to the stereo versions of the tracks, as mono really does not sound good on my setup. Edit: The stereo version was quite rough so I ended up swapping to the mono version about half way through (Rack My Mind) Leaving the original reactions to the songs up as to keep my authentic prosess in there, though will relisten in the mono version and add additional edits at the end of each segment and with changed ratings should it occur. Lost Women I like the bass playing. The song has a dark bluesy feel to it. Veers closely to some psychedelic elements that I wasn't expecting. The guitar and harmonica synergize well. Has aged decently well, though sounds distinctly 60's at the same time. Decent. 3.5/5 (Edit: The mono version actually has a bit more grit due to the limits of the format, but comes with the trade-off of losing some depth in the psychedelic part of the song. Doesn't change my enjoyment much. 3.5/5) Over Under Sideways Down The difference in volume from the previous track is really jarring. The guitar sounds way too sharp, and way too loud in relation to the rest of the track. Can barely hear the vocals at times. Has a nice boogie to it, and feels fun to listen to if it wasn't for the guitar. Ruined by a singular element, there's a decent song in there, but won't return to it due to the mix. 2/5 (Edit: The guitar sounds far less overbearing in the mono version. The vocals are still muddled, but it's definitely an improvement. 3/5) The Nazz Are Blue A bluesy boogie track. There's a million other songs that sound like this. The guitar is really the only thing that differentiates it for me. Average. 2.5/5 (Edit: The mix wasn't the problem here, the track is just simply outperformed by later tracks that do the formula better.) I Can Make Your Way This sounds horrible. The tracks are separated oddly. The background guitar makes it sounds like the left ear of my headphone speaker have blown out. Pretty melodic and large at times. Decent except for its technical limitations. 3/5. (Edit: the mono version fixes the guitar but adds a separate issue with the drums. The larger parts sound a lot flatter and less evocative too. It's a sidegrade at best. 3/5) Rack My Mind Had to swap to the mono version at this point as the stereo version is almost unlistenable, as vocals are mixed in a manner which makes them very distracting. A decent rock and roll track with some kick ass guitar playing and a solid vocal performance. Brought some good energy and a decent atmosphere. Fun. 3.5/5 Farewell Melody gives me cheap live action public TV kid's show vibes. The piano is decent I suppose, and the singing quite nice. I like the way it ends. Fine. 3/5 Hot House Of Oumargararshid Strangely experimental sounding intro. I like the rhythm. The vocals get kinda annoying as the song goes on. Weird inclusion. Fine. 3/5 Jeff's Boogie Bluesy boogie track with a lot of dancability and swing to it. Cool in a timeless retro kind of way. I'm having fun with the tempo and the quality of the guitar playing. Let down by the recording quality and the audio format, though still has value despite the technical limitations. Decent. 3.5/5 He's always here Compositionally has some cool elements going on. Like how the chorus is set up, though the lyrics are kinda off putting. I like the guitar riff. Really like the ending. Decent. 3.5/5 Turn Into Earth Fairly psychedelic, though in a slow meandering way that has a tendency to turn into musical soup. Like the buildup provided by the drums. Feels a bit unfocused and messy. Don't really think the vocals add much of value here and rather distract from the atmosphere created by the instrumental. Average. 2.5/5 What Do You Want Faster tempo track that brings some needed energy after the previous track. Feels extremely of the era, and is fine for what it is, but I can't hear much other than a fairly solid rock and roll track. I like the bass. Fine. 3/5 Ever Since The World Began Edgy for the time. Can't get over that it sounds like crap at the start, once it livens up it feels much more listenable. Decent concept, just can't see myself returning to it. Average. 2.5/5 This in all honestly sounds more like a time capsule than something that actually sonically holds up today. It feels more like an antiquated piece of history than something I'd listen to, and while I appreciate it for what it is I cannot see myself returning to it anytime soon. Neither mono or stereo version sound particularly good, the stereo version lathered with jank and clunkiness, as well as inconsistent volume and strange mixing. The mono version is better, though still mono, which just sounds so flat and dimensionless that you'd find demos today with more life to them. And I get it, I can't compare the technology of then to today, but it gets to a point where it sadly doesn't hold up anymore, despite probably sounding good for its time. The songwriting is however very competent, and I managed to pick out moments where I sort of got why this is considered influential. The psychedelic elements and the way tracks were composed really do sound ahead of its time in places. I'd also like to add that the darker tones and slight grit shown in some of the performances seem to create an image which was later perfected by other bands. Jeff Beck is obviously the star of the show here though I'd also like to shout out Paul Samwell-Smith on the bass as another standout. Most of the tracks were pretty alright though nothing stood out in particular as something I'd carry with me. Definitely dated, but has value as a historical piece. 3/5 Fave track. Jeff's Boogie Least fave track. The Nazz Are Blue
It's good.
★½
Pretty good and clearly a precursor and inspiration to so much more that would follow.
Yes, I know, this album is on the 500 best of Rolling Stones. But still, for me it is one of so many 60s albums, which sound nice but give me nothing more.
good bluesy songs
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.
This is like two different albums… the blues songs are decent. The other songs are incredibly corny. They seem like decent musicians, but I am definitely experiencing 60s British psychedelic rock fatigue. I can acknowledge that they’re good but also that I don’t enjoy listening to it.