Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Pretty fun and interesting. I recently scored this album at the thrift store and when I got it home the album inside was the wrong one! Boooooooo! 3.5/5 because it's a classic. Would buy the LP but not the CD. The 17 min title track has an irritatingly boring bass line that just b repeats and repeats and repeats.
I've massively under-appreciated 60s music! Another really good album :)
Really poor recording, easily dated the sound quality to mid sixties, shrill, clipping, over use of stereo. Music wasn't spectacular either. The experimental 15 minute 'legendary' track just sounded like messing around, there was a James Bond theme bit, an Arabian bit, a noisy bit, all set to (and I guess they inspired...) 'smoke on the water' bassline. Did not enjoy.
One good song. Not into jam bands from this era. It's ok 3.1
[AUTISM ANNOUNCEMENT] did you know that there's a unique edit of the title track that appears only in the climax of Manhunter (1986) and on its soundtrack?
Rock opera vibes. Iron Butterfly is just ok.
I've heard this before. But I remember it being better? It's really not that good though, despite bring a prog and psych fan. I would never have originally listened had it not been for Bart Simpson and even the title track is less good over time. My Mirage is ok but song structure and vocals are off. Even rhythm organ in misused. A high 2, but I won't listen again.
This didn't really do anything for me. Some alright organising parts, some of which reminded me of the doors, but then I'm not a huge fan of the doors.
I can understand the critical acclaim for their influences on “acid rock,“ and the future of heavy metal. But like most one hit wonders, I can also see why they did not have much staying power. The one song is really their only good one, and to me sounds more and more like a punchline every time I hear it.
Two very different sides to this album. It sounds like they were trying to get airplay with one of their first songs, but they mostly fall flat in comparison with the title track. A great smoke-break song for dj’s, this was the song I would hear on my way home after closing up shop, the song that would cause me to slow down so I could hear more of it before getting home.
Title track is definitely a classic and fun to listen to once in a while. The rest of the album is kinda bland psychedelia. 3.5*
it was ok. Again, not a big fan of this genre of music. Nothing really stood out for me and I found it quite generic to similar artists from that era (the doors etc), the last song was the best song, the rest was a bit generic. It is not making me want to go out and discover more about them. Standard 3 stars
Dope
I found this album to be a mediocre copy of music in the late-60s or just Vietnam-era America. But the only thing I thought was that it really copied off the Doors and Jimi Hendrix even though they made their debuts only a few months to a year prior to this being released. It just sounded uncanny to Jim Morrison or Ray Manzarek's sound that they had on their debut. I think the only good song was the title track be even then, it was too long to justify it's iconic status. It almost feels like copied off homework that is just too much paraphrasing that it is almost plagiarism. Favorite Tracks: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida Rating: 2/5
The first half is kinda generic 60's psychedlic rock. It reminded me of the Doors. The second half is quite the journey with the title song. It's suuuuuper long, but pretty fun and satisfying in the end.
This would have been better if it only had the title track.
Could probably skip this and just listen to The Doors, honestly.
Entertaining but not worth returning to
The title song is definitely a stone cold classic from the era. However, the rest of the album is mediocre at best.
Wow, never heard this before. Nice licks.
Only the titular track is worth listening to, it is kickass though
I didn't like this album. I saw them do this music when I was in high school. What a big voice the lead singer had. Doug Ingle.
Termination & Are You Happy were the standouts for me. Overall didn’t enjoy this album very much but I’m glad I listened. I can appreciate the historical significance and I had heard some of the title track before but not the full 17 minute version. Wow.
An absolute classic of rock history. I still remember my dad telling me to give it a listen - I probably was 16 or 17 - and I was blown away by how inventive and just plain fun it was. It still is.
Ugh. When I saw this was my album for the day, I was not looking forward to it. Mainly because its kind of everything I dislike about 60s music. What really drives me up the wall are the organs. Once the organ made its appearance, it seemed to be in every song. You hear an organ in a song, it's most likely the 60s. I began listening and the organ was there, but it didin’t drive me crazy. But I’ll admit I almost quit listening and was just going to chalk this up to a Roni Size album, unlistenable. But I persevered, dammit! As I continued, I started to groove a bit. I’m certain In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida was the only song I had heard from this album. The other songs are alright. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is the highlight, especially the 17-minute album version. I mean, there’s a 3-minute drum solo in the middle. I think the reason this album is in the 1,001 albums you need to hear is just for history's sake. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida was arguably the first attempt at heavy metal, though I’m sure some could provide earlier examples. The other songs are just good examples of 60s rock, but nothing special. I’d say you don’t even have to hear the other songs, but listening to the 17-minute version of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is a must, at least once.
If you can't handle 17min of this badassing, you're a lost cause.
4/5
The first half of this record is fairly disposable psychedelic rock — competent but forgettable, the kind of late-60s filler you’d expect to find in any bargain-bin psych compilation. Then comes the second half: the infamous 17-minute epic 𝘐𝘯-𝘈-𝘎𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘢-𝘋𝘢-𝘝𝘪𝘥𝘢, supposedly a drunken slur of 𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘥𝘦𝘯. It lurches forward on a massive organ riff, fuzz guitar, and a pounding drum solo, equal parts hypnotic and absurd. Pop-culture sealed its legend when 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴 reimagined it as the church hymn 𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘥𝘦𝘯 by I. Ron Butterfly in 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘚𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘭. That joke sums up the track perfectly — it’s overblown and ridiculous, but also undeniable fun. As an album, it’s lopsided: one iconic jam surrounded by mediocrity. Still, that jam alone secured Iron Butterfly a place in rock history.
My first interaction with In-a-Gadda-da-Vida was on some television special devoted to one hit wonders on VH1, I believe. The backstory and the ensuing aftermath was rather unnerving to young me, who associated this song forever with bad vibes and the tragedies that came from the end of the 60s idealism. As I grew older, that feeling lessened and the song faded from my consciousness; but, revisiting this for the purposes of 1001, I will say that there is really nothing wrong here. In-a-Gadda-da-Vida, in all of its surface level goofiness, is a rather groovy exploration of the happenings around late 60s psychedelic subculture. The remainder of the songs on here (the songs first heard before the title track) are emblematic of the kind of songs that can be bashed out without regard though with a side of effort; they're there just to pad out the record. Is this a classic of the decade? Not really but it is important to the development of what was to come in the later years. Favorites: Flowers and Beads, Termination, In-a-Gadda-da-Vida.
epic title track, and the reason why i am giving it 3/5.
I have a special dislike for this era of music and this one is especially bad. 5 songs that offered nothing special followed by a 17 minute snoozefest other than the main riff.
Not my favorite psych record for the sole reason that outside of the title track the rest of the album is rather forgettable.
The title track is still good, but it's not as good as I remember. The other tracks are...fine.
Not my favorite early stuff
It has its moments. Harsh and prickly, but mostly not in a good way. Pairs well with pretending to be cool.
Pues me ha resultado un disco muy interesante. Hay pasajes muy parecidos a los Doors (no sé quién inspiró s quién), la voz es muy peculiar, con personalidad. Y bueno, la canción mítica es toda una experiencia. El disco se hace corto y no cansa.
Not my faves but good.
Somewhat saved by its sprawling final track, but the rest of the album was fine…just fine. The Doors you are not, but I still mostly enjoyed the ride. 3/5 Highlights: Are You Happy In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
I've known about the title track for many years, but this is my first time actually listening to the record. What a fucking shame. This is pretty much exactly what I want to hear when I listen to psych. Perfect record.
I hate the title song, and it's the best onthe album.
Aight
It was nice to finally you're the rest of the album that this song was on.
Enjoyed this at work through my crappy usb headset while answering emails… ok but obviously the title track goes!! And the one before it really does as well imo. Such a crazy title that still perplexes me. Also reminds me of Manhunter of course which rules
kind of an awesome idea for an album: Lets make an album where every song sucks except the last song which is the best song ever
Today I learned just how long the full version of in a gadda da vida really is. It's "so much acid I forgot where I was" long.
Masterful psychedelic rock/blues album, one of the best from the late 60s. Side B is indeed legendary... the drum solo is the defining piece, but the layering of all the individual parts combined with the dynamic contrast across the whole piece makes for a wild fuckin' ride.
This is a bad version of the doors.
Ehhh it wasn’t bad but I wasn’t crazy about it. The last song was extra funky
Ganska okej faktiskt.
Fluff. Dette er en singel, og selv singel-sangen er mest fluff.
An amazing record that, despite containing a 17 minute track never feels stale or like it's overstayed it's welcome.
This was alright. Nothing really grabbed my attention, but nothing grated on me either. Perfectly tolerable music
I like the heavy use of organ but it's not something I would revisit. 6/10
Wait a minute, this sounds like rock and/or roll!
A bunch of hippie nonsense with a potentially good song that goes on way too long.
The poster child of one hit wonder. This record sucks. And so does the hit. Uh oh.
Normally I get excited for obscure (to me) psychedelic albums from the 60s and 70s, but this one didn’t do a whole lot for me. It sounded okay, but compared to my other classic psychedelic albums of the late 60s it just didn’t grab me at all. The closest comparison I could come up with is The Doors, and while the musicianship is at least on par or better, the lead vocals aren’t the presence that Morrison possessed on record. And I’m not that big a fan of the Doors. It was okay.
I mean, the first half is literally just waiting for the moment of rock
Dit is denk ik het eerste album dat eigenlijk gewoon 1 nummer is. Er staan nog wat nummers op, maar als de band heel eerlijk is, is dat gewoon filler voordat de titelsong komt. Beetje zoals het album Layla and other songs, wat gewoon wachten is tot dat Layla eindelijk komt en wat meuk er om heen. Meuk zou ik de rest van het album niet perse noemen, meer gewoon introductie naar wat hun magnum opus moet zijn. Hun beste nummer. En dan begint het, en het is absoluut episch. Ik bedoel de drumbreak rond 7 minuten? Fucking vet! Ook gaaf gedaan dat ze spelen met hun surround sound en je de drummer als het ware om je heen hoort spelen. Het nummer doet me denken aan andere progrock albums/nummers, met langgerekte bijna jazz achtige solo's. Ja fuck, als dan na bijna 16 minuten de zanger er weer in klapt. Tsja, dat is gewoon fucking episch. Kan er niets aan doen, maar dan ben ik echt een sucker voor progrock. Jammer dat de andere nummers niet dat zeer hoge niveau aantikken, maar aan de andere kant luister ik het album zonder enkele problemen nog een keer. Dus misschien is dit toch een heel goed album. Ik vind het lastig te reviewen omdat eigenlijk de helft van het album compleet vergeetbare muziek is, en de andere helft is 1 nummer dat dan wel weer echt goed is. Is het dan een goed album? Mijn conclusie is dan toch nee. Dit is voor mij een prima album, eerste deel is 2 sterren, tweede deel is 4 sterren. Dus 3 sterren. FAVO: In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida
Very heavy
I think normally an album that has one side of it be entirely one long song would find a way to bore me, but I actually liked this one. It’s a pretty good song despite its length and doesn’t overstay its welcome. The rest of the album is actually pretty good too, so it’s nice to see that all the effort wasn’t pushed to that one part of the album. Apparently, this album is one of the first heavy metal works to exist. I think if you the do the equivalent of squinting with your ears, you can kind of hear it. There a thin line between this and say, Black Sabbath, for sure. This is mostly acid rock, but the connection would explain a lot of my feelings towards this. Favorite track: In-A-Gabba-Da-Vida Other hits: Most Anything You Want, Flowers and Beads, Termination, Are You Happy
Epic song
Very Doors-y. I thought both lyrics and tune were pretty milquetoast - until the last song, and then I became about this album
Big dumb fun heavy psychedelia with a massive organ sound, gnarly fuzz tone, lots of bluesy shredding, one of the most memorably stupid riffs of all time, and buckets of self indulgence.
84/100. Good stuff, good.
I can’t believe I listened to all 1hr 40 mins of this but there were some good moments so I can’t give it a 1
What's with these 60s bands making these long ass songs when they're off their faces
That last track was indulgent but really sexy. Slapped.
Not bad, but wouldn't listen to it again. Psychedelic rock with good instrumentals and meh vocals.
Another album with a song I only know from Weird Al’s polka songs. It was okay but not amazing.
Love prog rock, didn’t love this one. 2.5 star really but no halfsies
Standout Songs: Most Anything You Want Termination Half of the album is taken up by one track, that’s the only real downside to this album. That last track drags on and on and on
You know why you’re listening to this album—a 36-minute album and the titular track takes up 19 of those minutes. But as it turns out, the rest of the album is better than ok! Kinda gives me The Doors vibes. “Are You Happy” is genuinely a great track, with strong drums, keys, and bass. I was torn between a 3 and 4 for this one. But it grew on me enough to slide into the 4 spot.
psychedelia meets 60's rock in a sort of nostalgic way for me.
By the time In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida was over, I had already forgotten what the rest of the album sounded like. I'm not sure I'd ever listened to all 17 minutes, thank you 1001albumsgenerator.com. Strange to think they are from San Diego, as this album really does not scream San Diego.
One long epic jam and a bunch of unmemorable psychedelic rock background. I am getting fatigue from this genre.
Was a nice one. Easy to recognize the last songs riff, didn't know its from here. Will I listen to again: 69%
A solid late 60s album, but ultimately not superior to many albums coming out in around that time. Final song is overindulgent at 17 mins, and the 5 minute drum solo was almost unbearable (although the song in it's original form is not bad) . I imagine this album is life-changing when under the influence, but only average in an everyday context.
This was good! The 17 minute song at the end was crazy. The album didn’t overstay its time. The organ was really interesting throughout… reminded me of weddings. And also video games. Very cool contrast between all of the instruments.
Nice piece of 60s psychodelia. 17 minutes of the title track is a lot though
Sounds like an LSD trip. They get heavily immersed into the sounds they're making while jamming, that could be atributed to the substances they were probably on but those jams still have come out very hypnotic and fun to ease your mind to. However I do wish the songwriting side was a bit more inspired. The main ideas of the songs are not that memorable and honestly just kinda shallow, i feel like all songs on side A got something going on that should have been expanded on. Also, this may sound kinda dumb but i do wish they leaned into the darker psychedelic aesthetic more - In this album, Iron Butterfly are just kinda boneless The Doors, with a less passionate singer and closeted sunshine pop ideas... The title track rules though, one of the best psych songs ever.
OK but all Simpsons jokes aside why does the first song actually sound identical to Light My Fire
Honestly not a fan of the vocals even a little bit but the title track was fucking AMAZING. Aside from the I don't really have much to say about this album, it's cool ig but really boring
Nostalgia and simpsons reference lol
Horribly mixed
Mehhh
Listened in the truck via YouTube music. I don’t know why this is essential listening. A 17 minute track that’s very mid doesn’t seem like something I’ll ever choose to repeat.
Sounded like The Doors but worse, except this album came out 2 years before The Doors (the album, not the band.) Still sounds worse.
Pretty great
Bad wanna be psych
New to me, except for the title track, of course. Let's GO! Track 1 is some great 60's psych rock. Sounds like Strawberry Alarm Clock or something similar. very nice. Track 2 I've actually heard, I think. Either way, more of the same from the first track, which is a good thing. This is one of my favorite genres of music so I'm in heaven. Track 3 starts with some nice organ. I really dig the organ mixed with the rock n roll. Track 4 stays the course. I love this album. Track 5 made me think of how great that albums of this era aren't as blaoted as the 80s and 90s were. This is a tight 6 track, 35 minutes of bliss. Yes please. Track 6 is of course legendary. I'll always this of the Simpsons when I hear this song..." hey Marge, remember when we used to make-out to this hymn." So so good. I loved this album. 4.4/5
I normally day that a single good song does not make a good album, but the titular song of this album is half the album's length, and is a great song.
In the Pantheon of Very Long Songs, 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida' is the one everyone names immediately. I've heard this from my dad's record collection as a kid. I don't remember being impressed. I'm not impressed now. The opening to this album is underwhelming. The whole A side in the Wiki was described by a reviewer as "artifacts". This is correct. IB has gotten breakfast every morning on 'Vida' alone.
Not bad for aged psychedelic rock, the 17min magnum opus is a journey though
3.4 One hit wonder again really. The first half is pretty forgettable let's be honest. The title track is a stunner though, after the first 5 songs you're not sure how you could sit through a solo 17-minute epic but to be fair it travels quickly, is an interesting jam, has a great riff and simplistic but enjoyable lyrics.
36 minutes, but it feels much longer
classic
Nope, just nope
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, I knew it was long but this was the first time really listening and it felt like a record needle got stuck and nobody got up to change it. It might be cool with an immerse visual experience but just song wise it goes on way way to long. The rest is just okay psychadelic rock. The first song it seemed like it was trying to make his voice sound way deeper then it was, making it come off as really forced. The others weren't bad, just nothing I added to my liked list.
The title track is so iconic, but it’s always been in a “haha that song is ridic long” way. I’ve never bothered to give my attention to it, and I actually really liked the long jam and was digging the rest of the album too. He really loves this woman! She apparently didn’t love him as much, poor guy. The album was a pretty great portrayal of a tragic love story, and an epic ode to a true love.
Good listen.
Never heard of them, but digging them
finally, a jammy album that doesn't overstay it's welcome and does interesting things! that said everything else other than the last track feels like padding.
Familiar with the title song, as I’ve heard it 1 million times throughout my life. Aside from that song, a fairly boring album. The rest of the tracks are somewhat forgettable and, honestly, sounds like they were copying the sound of The Doors, whose debut album was released the previous year.
Ruim
7/10 - didn’t love the delivery (???) of the vocals at first, but it grows on you - loved the instrumental - very in love/lust songs - i understand the principals of the solos for each member, but 16 minute song is kinda brutal — still beautiful though - saved all of them
I have this album but had not listened in a while. It is as I remembered, In a gadda da vida is the standout track and the other songs, while supremely psychedelic, are less memorable. I love the darkness of this 60s offering, its like Bach trying to expand his mind. Hard to score as the title track is sooo good. But it will have to be a three.
Actually really enjoyed this. Love proto-metal stuff. Heavy but not too heavy.
Well known, not necessarily my taste.
Very jammy, did enjoy but probably not for everyone
This album seems mostly not good. I get that it's considered to be rock and/or roll or whatever, and the very long title track has a place in pop culture, but it's mostly not good.
This was a solid album. Great musicianship in this one. It was fairly short and mostly taken up by In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, which was just a little shorter than the other five songs on the album combined. However, it is most definitely the best song in the lineup. All of the souls in it were phenomenal. I would almost say you could get away with just listening to that one song, but the others are pretty good too. Just not nearly as interesting as the title track.
Classic final song, but the other seem derivative.
This is exactly what I was expecting from a late 60s psychedelic acid rock band. Crunchy guitars and the overuse of the organ. This was alright, but a bit drawn out, especially when you have to listen through almost 20 minutes of shit you don't know (and don't care about) just so you can get to the only song people know them for, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida." But it's worth the price of admission. It's still a killer track. That 17 minute song, where it breaks everything down, and then slowly and progressively builds it all back up is almost perfect.
Typical psychedelic rock of the day. Nothing worth this list save for the big hit.
Great piece of acid rock and you should hear the title track once
sounds like they were an influence to doors
Ein Album mit einem riesigen Schatten: Der gleichnamige Titeltrack ist legendär, der Rest eher belanglos. Psychedelischer Zeitgeist ja – musikalisch ausgewogen, eher nicht. Ein Klassiker, aber kein Meisterwerk.
Really cool
Rock organ is just too cheesy for me and no song should be double digit length, no matter how iconic.
++: Flowers and Beads, Termination, Are You Happy, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida +: Most Anything You Want, My Mirage 7,2/10
Oh boy! Another psychedelia album with electric organ, fuzzy guitars, and a middling vocalist! How unique! Sure do love these extended jam sessions! :D 😐
In an episode of The Simpsons, Bart replaces the hymn music with In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida at Sunday church services. The organist and church goers are exhausted by the end of the song. That BART!! For a band that is hyped as one of the early influencer's of Heavy Metal, I was surprised how simplistic and sugary many of these songs were. The title track is 9 lines long but lasts for 17 minutes. Safe to say…..not many sober people were involved in the making of that song. I give it 2 only because of The Simpson use of their song.
# 525 : In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida Better than I expected, quite pleasant with some mega drum solos. If I have to pick something: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - the title track - a bit long, but it was the standout. Listened: 16/07/2025
Listenable...liked his voice.
I guess the drugs hit different back then.
I mean this was fun. Liked it.
More sixties rock. The organ gives it a Doors feel, combined with the guitar it sounds a bit Spinal Tap. I often saw Iron Butterfly doing “In A Gadda Da Vida” on Top of the Pops 2 or music documentaries and it’s a good performance but I was never moved to find out more. I now feel justified in this position. Side one is alright I suppose. But a big generic. Yet more sixties noise. Fine. Side Two is the title song and really why this is on the list, I imagine. It’s a great riff, but I can’t help but feel a better band could do it more justice. Meh.
"Wait a minute, this sounds like rock and/or roll" Pretty decent album. First half was OK - some pretty interesting stuff, and some meh. In-a-gadda-da-vida though... hell yea - so good. Solid 3.5 - I will round down to a 3.
It's a short album that feels long
I mean this gets 4 stars for that drum solo alone
wow that is some basic junk. Didn't realize Gadda da Vida was 17 minutes long, not sure I've ever heard the entire thing. What a slog
They sounded very Doors-ey with the organ to me, and I liked the singers voice. I was expecting a heavier sound with the band name.
I was excited to hear more than the title track. It’s a bit unfair when you have a song that big; anything else you ever do that isn’t a super-duper generation-defining megahit will always be compared under that lens and it prevents you from being an artist otherwise. I don’t know whether they’re from SF but this is that sound for me, just heavier. The lyrics still have that holdover 50’s simplicity and the organ is always there as the most interesting element, getting you ready for it to eventually hit you with that famous line at the halfway point of the album. Not my thing but it was nice, 5-5.5/10
I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this album or band. The only song I was familiar with, which I’m thinking is the case for a lot of people, is the title track. Overall the album was fine. Nothing spectacular. Besides his singing voice, a lot of the songs were kind of 60s bubblegumesque, which I liked. Flowers and Beads was my favorite.
The last song is an epic classic but the rest didn’t do anything for me.
This felt like knockoff The Doors doing love songs. It was okay musically, with a lot of organ but damn that last track went on forever and ever
Not much to saw about this other than I think this is the first (and last time) I heard the entire length of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.
“Yeah, we’re that one-hit wonder band, but our hit is as long as four regular songs.” Inoffensive organ rock.
Another influential album, which was good. I don't have anything negative to say. Other's have built on this, so I understand it's importance, but it's just good not great for me.
Sometimes groundbreaking ambition and creativity are enough, even when the result is an oddity and not a timeless classic. Musically and lyrically it’s just not the best, but man, hats off to these guys for doing something new and interesting and inspiring.
Tycker nog detta är lite bättre än liknande musik från 60-talet. Tycker inte det räcker till en fyra. Men det är lite tajtare och fokus på melodi. Orgeln i most anything you want låter bitvis väldigt likt the doors. Vem var först?? Sista låten är lång, men rätt grym trots det.
Rätt mediokert överlag men In-a-gadda-da-vida är en cool och bra låt som puttar upp den från en tvåa till en svag trea.
Another discovery! Psychedelic rock with hints of The Doors and even The Bee Gees. This is my thing, not the least because of the amazing bass lines. It's not just the title track that's amazing. NAS cleverly stole its opening lines for Hip Hop is Dead, a song I love (but maybe ever so slightly less now).
I mean, it really got me grooving.
I love this album; quintessential hippy rock. Can't go wrong
The title track is great (4/5), but side one seems a little less exciting (2/5).
Wow, it's like a total psychedelic trip, man! The title track, along with that drum solo, is so epic. I'm glad I got the opportunity to hear this album. Thanks 1001 list! Liked Songs Added: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
No lo he escuchado entero pero 2 estrellas porque sale en los Simpsons
Truly does nothing for me. Just sludgy, boring noise. Also, I was very certain I’d gotten this album before! So much in fact, I already had a song from this album in my playlist dedicated to tracking this project!!! Wtf?
Lemme tell ya something. I AUDIBLY groaned when this showed up today. Overglorified proto classic hard rock. But, I am biting my tongue. I forgot how tight, groovy, well produced and mixed this album is. Every instrument shines and and vocal performance is warm and comforting. Akin to Cream at the time. The use of the hammond organ is tasteful and not annoying. I have this on vinyl from my moms old collection, circa 1968. Might have to give it a spin again soon.
Fine, not my jam
2+
The standout here is obvious, and its a fun, if silly, jam. I remember a friend in high school telling me about the song, that the band was so drunk/stoned while trying to sing "In the garden of Eden" it became "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida". Definitely a record to hear before you die, but doesn't really connect for more than the one-off listen.
Pretty cool.
Hell yeah
I listened to this once before in the the Spring of 1994. That was enough. This is very bland and at least when listening on headphones sounds poorly recorded. 2/5
estuvo ok
Well. Nice.
Very very dated. Extended hippy trip outs over long tracks, singing not the greatest.
2.5 rounded down
This was an album we had when playing cards in high school, but was rarely brought out, and I think only side 2 with only the 17 minute title track was ever played. 17 minutes is way too long here, with a middle instrumental section that wasn’t great. 8 minutes would improve things, and the 3 minute radio single was even better, way fun to hear on a car radio. Side one is pretty dull.
The first five songs existed somewhere on the spectrum of meh/fine. The title track has a good riff, no denying that, but at 17 minutes it wears out its welcome. When we faded out to a drum solo (and not, say, to a still-overwrought-but-permissible conclusion) around 6:40 I clenched up in fear of what the next 10 minutes had in store for me. When the guitar came in around 12 minutes I thought about how other grand rock epics like Stairway or Free Bird manage to fit all these ideas into 8-9 minutes. Then I went back and tried to figure out where the song should have ended. I’d say 2:30, but I could also allow 3:20. Everything after that is unnecessary.
I much preferred this when Gertie played it. A bit fucking whacky for my liking!
Does the title track belong on a list of songs to hear before you die? 100%. Does this album belong on a list of albums to hear before you die? Not so much.
Groovy. Not sure why we liked it so much, but we did. The song was huge, everyone knew someone that had the album and it got A LOT of play (and I mean A LOT) at parties, Friday night hangouts, or about anytime. Maybe it’s that little slow down pause at around six and a half minutes that makes you think the song is over but slides into “DRUM SOLO !!!” or that you (everyone) could just close your eyes and zone out for 15 minutes and nobody thought it was weird. I forgot all about this album, but it is truly 1001 List worthy. A simple repetitive bass guitar riff, one line of lyrics, and of course the epic drum solo (that may have been the start of drum solos) mixed with mind altering substances made for some great psychedelia. You either love it or you hate it. B Side holds up enough to go (3.9*s) In a Garden of Eden?
I have heard the title track but not in its entirety. Always thought it was "In the Garden of Eden" and like the alternate lyrics. Iron Butterfly was probably stoned out of their gourds when they came up with that one. Side A is good and even though Side B is one long song, I dig it. Solid album from this SoCal psychedelic set. I am in for more from them and the genre...2.82 stars.
Figured this album made the list solely off of the title track. While the front side of the album doesn't do anything special, its also not too bad. In A Gadda Da Vida is obviously the standout track, but I didn't mind the whole album. Definitely a worthy entry beyond the 17 minute opus. Didn't realize Iron Buttefly was so much of a psychedelic rock group. 2.92 stars
The final track is monumental the other songs are just good 3/5
Dave Barry had the classic line, re: the title track lays down an ok theme and then the members take turns demonstrating their incompetence for 11 minutes. Helluva theme though, and there's a lot of originality in the sound though it feels like their keyboardist is taking some lines from Ray Manzarek, who maybe took em from Bach? Anyway there's some true pioneering here, respect.
Trippy 🦄🌈
I enjoyed the instrumentation and that was about it.
Pretty forgettable outside of In-a-gadda-da-vida. The album track is way too long. I like some prog and psych jams but this one bored me.
Boomer jams. The organ is cool.
It was fine. I would’ve liked it more if In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida wasn’t 17 minutes long. I knew that was a long song, but I don’t think I’d ever heard the whole song before. Overall, the album was psychedelic and poppy. Not bad.
Wasn't high enough to enjoy this album. This isn't a great example of good psychedelic rock IMO; kind of generic and none of the songs, aside from the hook in In a Gadda Da Vida, really have anything memorable about them. 2.4/5
Really good album. I'd never listened to the whole thing, but it's fun and I would listen to it again. I love the occasional album on here with hard-panned drums. 3.75/5
Finally made sense of a Simpsons joke.
When it comes to albums that bridge the gap between 60s psychedelia and early heavy metal, this is definitely one of the essentials. I like it because it holds onto that strong, swirling psychedelic sound, but with a much heavier, guitar driven edge than most 60s psych albums. The prominent use of the organ adds so much to the overall atmosphere. I haven’t really had the chance to dive deeper into the band’s catalog, but for anyone interested in the history of metal, this is definitely an album you should check out.
Take away the title track and this is a very generic psychedelic album. Title track makes it a 3. Barely
Killer spooky organs with psychedelic rock
One of the first grown up songs I liked as a kid
Cuando la música tenía colores, olores y hasta se podía tocar, claro está que para eso tenías que...bueno.
No thank you. It starts like proto-the doors without Jim Morrisons sex and swagger and finishes in an interminable jazzy proggy loop.
They love the Organ. Its ok but nothing to really get hung up about. 2.5 Ill go down.
Well... That was forgettable.
A good and regular album from the late 60's. Nothing more. Is it me, or at some points, the guy singin sound like bowie?
Psychadelic jam rock. 3/5
In a nutshell: ridiculous acid rock. Just listen to the radio edit of the title track. If you are prepared to listen to the original 17 minutes and 5 seconds of the title track, be my guest. The rest is forgettable. Overall: 1/10
Feels like a combination of the best features of the beatles, the beach boys and the doors. surprising that i’ve never heard of this band before. album-titled song is a bit overextended not time wise, but music wise
No high score for the lyrics. Side two is the only reason to listen to this album. But so worth it. Tough to score this.
What a jam. Really enjoyed some nondescript classic psychedelic rock. I recognized the title track, but wasn't too familiar. I enjoyed this.
The balls of this group to commit a 16 minute jam on an album!
Meh
That was a cool album with high highs and low lows
this is one of the more tough albums for me to rank. on one hand, kinda cool to hear an early adopter to psychedelic rock and how it opened the door to that genre. i also really like the B-side track, In A Gadda Da Vida. It's cool, and I imagine buying that record was really something special. that being said, I didn't really enjoy the A-side of the record. it was fine... but nothing that i would go back to. a 2.5 stars would be perfect for this, but alas, 2 stars it shall get.
The title track is a classic, but I don't know if I need a full 17-minutes. Decent listen, good chord progressions, but I'm only coming back for the single version of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.
The song, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", might have the most boring drum solo of all time in it.
Sounds like rock and or roll.
What a short album, only 36 minutes. When I got this assigned I didnt know what to expect, except some old rock band. That remained mostly the same, until the album title song, which I recognized. I can imagine this being a really important album for the time, as I hear quite some influences of it in later music. Focus, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd all kind of come to mind, and were founded later. Interesting listen and read about!
I thought it was a fun listen, I only knew the title track, radio version, so to hear it all added a lot of depth. The first songs seemed oddly generic to me, but I sensed a flow and story/thematic elements, that gave the rest of the album purpose, I guess. The title track was a real trip, a fun dive down psychadelia. I got some 'echoes' vibes in the middle, which I found interesting seeing as this came out first. For it's age I thought it held up decently, but still showed it's age. Overall I appreciated this album, but don't see a need to revisit anything other than the title track.
Solid jam
It sounded like 1968. I wasn't around in 1968. I have no need to revisit it.
As a big fan of psychedelic rock, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida hits the spot. It’s got all the fuzzy guitars, swirling organ, and trippy vibes you could want — basically a time machine to 1968. Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the title track. Yeah, it’s over 17 minutes long. And yeah, some people in the reviews are probably going to complain about that. But those people are wrong. It’s a straight-up banger — hypnotic, heavy, and worth every second. That drum solo alone earns it a spot in the psych-rock hall of fame. The rest of the album is solid too, but let’s be real: this thing lives and dies by its title track, and thankfully, it lives.
Pretty good, I enjoyed listening to pretty much the whole album. Longer songs are always a fun journey, but it's interesting that all the other tracks don't exceed 5 minutes when the title track is over 18. The contrast in neat but did blur the others together because they didn't stand out as much separately.
Nothing outstanding about this, good psych rock with funky bass line that was def the highlight of the album. Not really worth revisiting anytime soon, but not bad as a whole
1 solid hit
Rating: 7.5/10 Last song is great, the rest of it is very good as well. Proto-prog album with some nice keyboard and great guitar riffs.
Forerunner of heavy metal with a 17 minute epic that I still listen to on a regular basis.
I really like the title track, but I can't listen to more than about 10 minutes of it before I get frustrated. I also hate it when someone plays it on the jukebox at the local bar. Actually, the bartenders are now trained to hear that riff and skip it. Lots of complaining, but so be it. The rest of the album is pretty standard 60's fare music. Nothing special. 2.5/5 stars = 3 on this scale.
Hello??? Did I just hear a killer 10 minute guitar and drum solo to end the album??? Bruh that was a beautiful damn journey that they took us on, I’m amazed right now because I just didn’t expect it.
own
This album is good!!
2/5 the only good song is the title song. The rest are bland and forgettable.
This one is famous for side 2 being one long song, but I wasn't really into it to be honest. I did like side 1 a little more, this may be an insane comparison but My Mirage reminded me very strongly of Aerosmith's Dream On (in a good way).
Nothing spectacular but fine
17 minute, whole side long song - very doorsy, enjoyable
I'm glad I listened to it, but really not my thing
Favorite song: Most anything you want. Overall score: 6,8/10.
A "trust me, it gets better" album. It's like Tarkus, except the good part™ is at the end instead of the beginning. I gladly gave Tarkus a pass despite half of the album being meh because the title track, in my opinion, is exceptional. But here neither the big song nor even the filler is as good. The title track mostly consists of different solos played one after the other with little to no backing from the rest of the band, when, or course, as anyone who listens to jazz would tell you, the correct way of approaching this is playing all of them together at the same time. The solos themselves are pretty catchy, but there’s nothing holding them together, and the song sounds a bit dry. But overall I still like it. As for the rest of the songs, they are just... there? There's not much to them. It's very obvious that they were an afterthought and only put there to reach that album length. Are You Happy is alright, I guess.
This falls into the category of "not the vibe of music I was expecting and not nearly as bad as I thought it would be." I evens out to be solid 3.
3.5
Interesting album, but probably wouldn’t listen to it again
Most Anything You Want - boring Flowers and Beads - same, except for the unexpected sweetness of the last 40 seconds or so. The next three are all very samey! Nothing of note either, except there are some vague Jethro Tull elements, especially on the solo bits and beat changes in Are You Happy, so that was cool. Title track is really great, so the masses were right on that one. Will bump it from 2 to 3 stars for that alone.
Cheesy psych pop for the most part. The album version of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is amusing. Very surface level Doors-ish stuff.
Just the one popular song, but even that one dragged on way too long
Fue simpatico pescar las citas-choreos-homenajes a Cream y los Doors en un disco que, sin el hit, no valdria la pena escuchar.
Awesome album, you can really hear the birth of heavy metal and it's all wrapped up in psychedelia. The bass work on this is peak 60s -- fat tone and fast, melodic rhythm.
Super groovy. I wish I were listening to it in the summer.
Noooot really a fan. Not a hater, but I only sorta maybe like like one song on here. The sound is okay, just nothing sticking out as usual
On my first listen, I found myself liking this one - but in hindsight, I don't think I can give this more than a 2 in good faith. There isn't really a single track on this one that I want to return to any time soon (yes, even the title track).
The A-side was some pretty decent if forgettable psychedelic rock songs, all serving as anticipation to the legendary sidelong title track. Thank you for this hymn, I. Ron Butterfly.
The title track brings the album from mostly forgettable to good. An overall enjoyable experience.
The first half of the album was forgettable. Every review was revering the final track, the 17-minute legend, the one and only title track, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. ....Shit, I think everyone gets misled by the runtime into thinking it's a masterpiece. I waited the entire duration for something interesting to happen and it just *never came*. It's all a series of instrumental noodling sections - if you were to separate each section into its own track, nobody would talk about this. It's just not that good I'll give it its props - Termination and Are You Happy were very decent, and the bass guitar throughout the album was pretty fucking great! With that said, maybe it's my fault for getting baited by the reviews, but my disappointment is unmeasurable. This is not an album I'd come back to either way, so for that reason I exercise my right to be a hater 😭
Perfectly average album that did not leave much of an impression on me either way. Basically all of the first side sounded the same.
I can't hate on organ prog. It's a solid record. I liked listening to it. It's also very clearly influential. There's a lot here that we're going to see later, in both acid/psychedelia and metal. It's hugely influential. But I decided long ago that "influence" is not how I'm rating this. It's how much I want to experience this again. And while I appreciate what is happening here, later artists improved on it. It's still a solid listen (as opposed to some other influential albums that are the sonic equivalent of an impressively spiced and garnished turd sandwich), but I would rather listen to the students than the teacher.
my first 60s record (i think)!! the bass in this is so fun.
I don't think I like the vocals very much. But nice psychedelic vibes. I kinda tuned the voice out enough to just listen to the beats. I actually liked this album, but it does not deserve a 5. The voice and replay value knocks some points off. Especially the 17 minute song.
Un disco bueno pero hasta ahi con una unica canción que vale la pena, la que le da titulo al album y que dura 17 minutos.
Apart from the title song having appeared on a Simpsons episode, which brought a whole new generation to acknowledge the existence of this album, it had an important impact when it was released, with it's slightly heavy tone, psychedelic and bluesy rock and even some The Doors reminiscenses, with a lot of emphasis on teh keyboards. It does show a band on top of its game at the time this was released. Yet, I have serious doubts that this music still has an impact on the newer generations. I mean, I completely doubt it.
in-a-gadda-da-vida alone is worth 5 stars
I love that the song In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is 17 minutes long, which would probably be more impressive if you could see it taking up a whole side of an LP. It's like a giant 45, with that song on one side and 5 B-sides on the other. This is not my favorite type of music, but this is not a bad album. Other than the one song though, there's nothing particularly special here.
5/10 A bit too rough round the edges, but solid psychedelic rock. And it made me think of the Simpsons.
2.5
Decent album. Seems to be somewhat regular rock. The title track of course is the stand out!
I really wish I liked drugs. Some of the albums I’ve got lately are amazing and would probably be even better augmented by a bit of virtual reality! I really like this album. It zigs and zags, so you’re never bored or feel like it lags or is dull.
cool listen
its fine but this person doesnt know what music is to call all this stuff the best of all time lol
I love 60's psychedelia, and never heard anything from this band besides obviously In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. Some pretty solid psychedelic rock on there, and In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida just gets an automatic 4 star for me, a stark contrast to the opinion of my album challenge partner :)
This is the definitive Iron Butterfly album but let’s all be honest, this album is dated and sounds like a late 60s album. It is not timeless it is very decade specific. It’s a good album all around and one I own. The music is upbeat and that guitar and organ make the album! Best songs are “Termination”, “Are You Happy”, and of course the 17 minute epic title track
The title track is a classic of epic scale. Love the drum solo. Love the whole song. Side one is so of it's time that it nearly sounds like a parody of psychedelic 60s music. How many times can he say "Girl, I just know I love you"? Side one not as awesome as side two, but still pretty damn good.
I have heard the song In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida so many times, this pretty much came down to how well I remembered Side One of the record. I remembered most of it, and I still feel Side One stands the test of time, and makes the album a solid and classic release of its time. What more can be said about this album, it's a instantly recognizable classic. I can't help but consider it an album I love. Favorites of course include the entire Side Two, along with 'My Mirage' and 'Termination'
Das mit der Orgel irgendwie cool aber sonst nicht so meins
I've heard the title song for years, and it just seems too long and repetative. Progressive rock, it is not. But the song fits perfectly in the album which is well arranged and contains an excellent selection of 60s rock/pop. This is a great album. 4.5/5
really love the instrumentation. vocals are not my favorite but still really enjoy it.
Absolutely great album. Perfect vibe, very appropriate mix which is somewhat abrasive but not too annoying. I love the sound of the guy’s voice
I'm guessing this is mostly here as some important historical moment or the influence on later artists. It was pleasant, there's stuff to appreciate, but I found it mostly unremarkable. Everything before the title track just feels like fluff.
It was nice to listen to in the background, probably groundbreaking for its time but now it's nothing surprising
My mother had this album so I heard it countless times growing up. I remember as a teen, at a mates house, watching the Simpsons when Bart swapped the church music for this. I was laughing my ass off and at the ad break had to explain the joke to everyone else. For those that don't know, the song was originally titled "In The Garden Of Eden", but the record company made them change it, so it became the gibberish "In A Gadda Da Vida".
The title track is pretty sick though! Very cool first listen, but limited repeat value.
Of all the psychedelic rock, this is the best.
Everything before that closing track just feels like filler. Never mind that shit, here’s comes 2 minute drums solos!
This sounds like rock and/or roll!
It’s all about getting to that last track. More important for its reputation than their actual music.
Psychedelic masterclass. Take it, hold it, love it.
This album is so heavy, the farfisa organ goes insane and sounds like pure evil. A psychedelic classic no one should miss!
Jesus 17 minutes is too long for this one hit wonder
I guess you had to be there. Done better by The Doors, Deep Purple, and Vanilla Fudge
Ever since I heard Slayer’s version of In-a-gada-davida, this version no longer swings. So after a minute or so, I had to skip the rest of the song. The rest of the album was not any easier to listen to even tho the songs were less than 5 minutes long. I get it, this music was influential but the past is the past.
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is still great and still deserves to be heard by anyone who likes rock music. The rest of the album is fine, but I think Side Two still carries this to 4 stars for its influence on music, especially heavy rock and, eventually, metal.
Enjoyed the epic song, but the rest of the lyrics are way too twee
In the Garden of Eden? No way.
Ja, dit album wordt sowieso gedragen door de titelsong. De rest is niet slecht tho, maar die orgel steekt soms wel tegen. 3.4
The other songs are okay - the title track is of course a classic but oh man those are some lengthy solos.
fun, liked
Did not enjoy as much as I thought I would. 😞 IAGD was obviously a very fun listen. And a classic Simpsons reference. 😉
This is a great album one of the first I owned on CD
The music is pretty good! I just don't feel like they're saying anything interesting. It's all either vague or incredibly flowery. Not the biggest fan of hippie music that has nothing to say. Way too much "there is girl and I like girl" in the most generic way. Good enough for background and I wouldn't complain if it was put on
- habe nicht wirklich was mitbekommen, aber es war immerhin auch nicht nervig, wie mir scheint
Psicodélico demais A faixa que leva o nome do álbum começa boa mas demora muito. A voz é as batidinhas são legais
This ain’t it
Y’all need to stop right now
Hippiehauskaa...
Everything about this is unnecessary. Unnecessary to include an "album" on this list on the basis on 1 song. Unnecessary for that song to be 17 minutes long. Unnecessary for any of the other songs to be recorded. Unnecessary for the album to be released. Unnecessary for me to endure any of it.
It’s ok, 60’s 70’s hippie vibe.
Gets 4 stars just for the album title track. Other tracks are ok but the big track is why we’re here
This is an album of two halves, and its reputation rests on the second half. Side one is pleasant enough psychedelic pop-rock. The opening track is reminiscent of the Doors, some of the organ lines are almost Light My Fire; the second track echoes the likes of the Foundations; the rest follow similarly, sounding like those bands, maybe the Animals. Then comes side 2. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is a 17 minute plus maelstrom of distorted guitars, hypnotic, repetitive bass, a tribal drum solo (which does become tedious or trance-inducing, depending on where your head is at), slurred vocals, and the swirling organ, which really makes the track, and the album.
Funny. Está bien, me gusto pero no me fascinó.
Honestly, fuck 60s psychedelia. This has one sort of solid track on it and it's 16 minutes to goddamn long.
fine
Most of these tracks just seem like filler alongside in-da-gadda-da-vida, though there is no denying the titular 17min track is outstanding. 3/5
This was better than I expected. Same keyboard as the Doors used. I enjoyed it. 3.5
It sounds so cliché
I only know this from the Simpsons S07E04, and it's held a special place in my heart since then. The eponymous track is great, but the rest are fillers
Familiar stuff but it’s not for me. Or perhaps I just wasn’t in the mood
Honestly, looking back, this band feels Spinal Tap esque. Led Zeppelin transmuted into Iron Butterfly. I did like the ridiculously psychedelic oil light show on the videos of them performing the title track. It's not bad, it's just not great.
3.51/5
I've heard the whole album before, own the record, it's a 4, why not. I wasn't unpleasantly bored, it's alright. I mean, half of it is THAT track, which rightly is a SYMHBYD.
2/5. Not even close what the best track on here is. Unfortunately it took a bit to get there. The first side is just okay, psychedelic rock songs that don't stand out much and don't provide any new substance. If the album was just more soloing for another 17 minutes, it would be a better album. Does the track make up for the first side, honestly not really so I wouldn't recommend it but it was good enough to not be a bad album. Best Song: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
I’m glad I have this vinyl. I’ve listened to it. It has an importance but I’ll most likely never put this on again.