Reviews (page 6 of 7)
Listened last night. Already forgot it existed by the morning.
Rather annoying Best Song: Most Anything You Want Rating: 3.0/10 Stars: 2
SOMETIMES a 17 minute song makes sense...
Wasn’t my favorite, but still had that classic 70s kind of sound to it.
This album has one good song. Fortunately, that song takes up half the album. The rest is just kind of a muddled mess.
I forgot all about this song. My dad would sing it. It is not good.
I get why this was in the list, but I could only take so much.
It's got that one song
Let’s be honest - Iron Butterfly are known for one song, and that song is half of this album. And, really, that one song is only good for maybe a couple of minutes (although the drum solo in the middle of this album version is pretty ok, honestly). I feel bad for not liking this, but it’s just not good enough.
Everything after the title track was disappointing and far too long
maybe this was revolutionary at the time but sounds quite basic imo 🤷♀️ still nice and gritty, though
they just be putting anything on here
One big song that's mainly okay, but outstays its welcome considerably. I'm saying this as someone who normally appreciates long songs; this one just meanders for no reason. The rest is borderline annoying, probably due to the lead singers warbly vocal style. I kept expecting them to break into "Light My Fire" by The Doors, but I guess that's what you get when that hit a year or so before this dropped, and you have a band with guitars/ keyboards. Two stars.
잘 모르겠음..
Granted, the last song does raise the album a little but previous tracks are such a low bar it doesn’t have to work that hard.
Blech...a bunch of garbage with one iconic riff drowned in a 17-minute jam track. Moving on from this one quickly.
I saw Iron Butterfly in concert in 1995. They saved In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida until the end, but I couldn’t make it that long. They were awful. The album was better than the live performance, but not by a lot.
Nice Simpsons song, mid rest of it yaknow. Bring the drama divas x
Not a fan of his voice
It is what you'd expect, a jam band jamming
Dá sa to počúvať, ale opäť album, ktorý podľa mňa nepatrí do 1001...
They sound like a poor man's Doors. Did the title song really need to be that long? Maybe it was to distract from the same lame two verses repeated multiple times. The album almost sounds like a parody roasting the music of that era. This wasn't a favorite.
Not going to be nice. Last song was the standout but it was far too long
One decent song doesn't make a good album even if it is 18 minutes long. This album and genre are not for me . Maybe if I was on drugs that might help.
It was pretty good but sounded very dated. I didn't hear anything unique.
Iron Butterfly - a duff version of The Doors. Similar psychedelic sounds in places but less personality.
Not a big fan of this album. I enjoy acid rock but this is just a lot of hootin and hollering. The 17 minute song at the end of this album should have been 3. Didn't even have a good drum solo to warrant anything like this.
Sup, me mateys. I'm going for my provisional plateys. I've got an hour to kill while I wait, so I figured I'd smash out one of these reviews in the meantime. I've seen this album while flicking through the book before. Easy prediction this time around. It's obviously a psychedelic album going off of the cover. Hopefully a short one, too - I've been put through the wringer with these album lengths lately. Let's get into it. Thirty-six minutes. Phew, I was right. This was okay, but nothing in here really hooked me. Psychedelia only really appeals to me once digital production starts to enter the frame. These guitar-centered, analogue tracks are a little too milquetoast for me. I'm not entirely sure how to articulate my point, but 60s psychedelic rock sounds a lot mustier than the other genres of rock which were popular at the time. I'm pretty sure it's the organ, which has solidified itself as a deep polariser within my music taste. It sounds too blown out and droning on this album. The guitars lack much bite, too, which I suppose comes down to the production of the time. The vocals are generally unremarkable too, which has been my experience with other albums of its ilk. Overall, a fine album, but nothing which really holds my attention. Still, I worship that runtime. I used to bitch and moan about these 60s rock albums for clogging up the list, but I can now appreciate them as a much-needed, brief, 30-minute reprieve. Book time. First album to break a million sales - that's a surprise. The album's success was due to to the title track. That's also a surprise. This is the first time I've heard of a lengthy track driving the success of an album (aside from maybe Free Bird). The title track is an "unprecedented epic", which I suppose I can believe for 1968. The guitarist was a teen when this album was recorded. Apparently, the title track was composed when one of the band members got drunk on red wine. The name of the song was meant to be "In the Garden of Eden", but his slurred speech resulted in what the album is named today. That's a funny bit of trivia. In Da Gadda whatever received massive airplay on FM radio. The title track was also covered by Slayer, sampled by Nas and was re-arranged for the "Bart Sells His Soul" Simpsons episode which is also, once again, yet another surprise. Wikipedia reaffirms that this album is only really notable for its title track. Apparently the song was also a precursor to hard rock and heavy metal, which I can believe. Quite a long rap sheet for this album, but I dunno. There are quite a few albums on this list which are in here purely for having one notable track, and such seems to be the case with this album, too. Granted, that one track just so happens to occupy half of the album. TECHNICALITIES, BAYBEEEE. I don't need to scrounge for a replacement album like I usually do. I cosign this inclusion.
Album 112. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (https://open.spotify.com/album/4L1Qw49gKwFuQwQovBxsKI?si=7Vsgo7KzSoG0xUzItZHzyw) — Iron Butterfly (1968) Short album, lyrically simple. Influential, but dull and outdated rock. No liked songs 2/5
I am of the age where this can ONLY remind me of the Simpsons episode. You know the one. Had never listened to the rest of the album before. It sounds about how you would expect after listening to the title track. I could have seen myself being a fan of this band and their whole vibe back in 1969, but it doesn't do a lot for me in 2026.
Didnt found that much of enjoyment but its still music.
“Wait! This sounds like rock and or roll.”Milhouse is a snitch and the only reason I know any of Iron Butterfly’s music is because of Bart Simpson. I respect that In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida was made to be the complete side B of this record when released. Which I guess is what artists did back in the day to be edgy. Otherwise this album sort of seems like all they cared about was making one long song.
Trippy 60s rock. One of the biggest selling albums. Heavy organ. Psych rock. Precisely one of my most disliked genres. Contains that one nig hit.
A whole album based around one 17 minute song The 17 min song is what it is I dont really know what to say The simpsons ep is good
Ok
Tylsäähän tämä oli.
I did not previously know that the song In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida was 17 minutes long. The beginning and end of the song was fine but the middle from when the drum solo started to about 13:30 minutes was pretty weird. The drum solo was bad, there was a section of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” played on the organ, and a bunch of plagal cadences that made it sound like you were at church. If the song was originally supposed to be “In the Garden of Eden” then I guess the church-sounding music makes sense. The 5 songs on the A-side were pretty forgettable.
Not a fan. It's good just not something I would choose to listen to.
Reminds me of the doors. I don’t really like the doors :(
Started promisingly but quite a disappointment tbh
more 60s, 70s forgettable rock. Pick any of the other 60 or 70s forgettable rock on this last and substitute / add as you please, you wouldn't know any different.
Meh
It had the one song that lasted half of the album, and the rest was forgettable.
I see that Iron Butterfly went to the Lynyrd Skynyrd school of blue balling the listener so hard for half an album that the overly long final track sounds incredible as a result. Only one small problem this time – the track wasn’t all that great to begin with. “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” is a guy mumble-singing “In the Garden of Eden, baby” with like 13 minutes of random instrumental passages in the middle. Don’t get me wrong – it’s the most memorable song on this album by a mile, but it’s not great enough to warrant the whole LP being here (in my opinion). Highlights: Are You Happy, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
people seem to reckon the last song on the album is why this is on the list…… i don’t agree with that, it dragged on for way too long
I like the super long title track, like if The Doors were fronted by an Elvis impersonator, but in a fun way. Even then it's pretty much just a fun psych wigout, but not that much more. The rest is pretty much 60s filler tbh. I just can't really think of a lot to say about this record I'm sorry Iron Butterfly. Good name tho!
It wasn't terrible, but definitely not my style of music choice. I listened and didn't have a strong opinion on it. Obviously, I knew the main song from the album. Everything else was stuck between the 60's psychedelic and 70's rock.
This sold over 30 million copies worldwide? How?! In 1969 it outsold Led Zeppelin I, Johnny Cash At Folson Prison and The Beatles White Album. How high was everyone in 1969?! 2/5.
man we shouldn't have ordered the appetizers
Pretty horrible hippie dribble. Organ sounds were a bit cool but mostly pants.
🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱 Can't see why this album is an album I MUST listen to. This album feels like accidentally going to a local gig in the town hall and the performers don't know how to end the songs.
Psychedelic rock from the 1960s which has a lot of similarities to other psychedelic rock from the 1960s. Unfortunately that means there's not a lot to make it particularly special.
无聊，再加上极品卡痰音
They really let any white dude with LSD and an iota of talent into the studio in the 60s.
this sounds like if the doors only had one memorable song but wanted it to take up an entire side of a record. i'm not a big fan of the doors. the shorter (single-length?) version of IAGDV is definitely more my speed, but i lowkey hate this song because the version they added to Rock Band includes tap notes (cowbell/tambourine) on vocals for the ENTIRE instrumental section in the middle and it SUCKS SO HARD. whoever charted that one must've hated singers so much that they never wanted them to play this song ever again. favorites: most anything you want, flowers and beads, in-a-gadda-da-vida
2.5/5
Should be a 1 but In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. Man.
it gets to a point
The doors without the good bits. Last song saves it
Favorite tracks: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Are You Happy I was happy to see this album pop up because I've always enjoyed the song In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, but boy oh boy did I discover do I only want to listen to Iron Butterfly in single song increments of about 3 minutes. Give me the radio version and get this 17 minute crap out of here.
Lots of meh on this album. The one track everyone knows is inexplicably long. I had it on in the background and I was so confused when the main riff kicked back in I thought something had gone wrong.
I think they tried.
4/10
- Definitely enjoy the funky main riff (bass, guitar, and the accompanying organ) of the title track. That said, I’ll never get the appeal of super long songs (especially long drum solos); I don’t get lost in them, I usually just wish they’d end. - The rest of the album was super mid. There was some good bass, organ, and guitar, but the lyrics were not good and the mix felt so far back and muddy that it was overwhelmed by the (underwhelming) singer.
It was a nice listen but I didnt particulary enjoy it. Day note: It has been snowing a lot its beautiful. But I cant wait for summer
2 Stars (5/15)
"It's most well known for the entire B side being one long mess" LMAOWUT This is an ok prog rock album, but I'm not sure why it's on here. 2*
Nothing wrong with it, but pretty forgettable
In-A-Gadda-Da-too much psychic hammering for me thanks. There are many more enduring enjoyable examples of heavy and psychedelic from the 60's that aren't this. Iron Butterfly were neither original nor excellent - why is this on the list??
Meh
This whole experience centers on the magic in a bottle they somehow captured with “in-a-gadda-da-vida”. The album is named after it and when it finally comes on after some pretty standard 60s throwaway tracks it’s refuses to end. Now, I remember being a kid and being inspired by this song in my mom’s collection. “It’s still going!!” we would marvel. Now I am saying “it’s still going!” but in an entirely different way.
Gear: HEDD Audio HEDDphone Two Artwork: ️🔮🌋💡 Production: 🕰️👂😖 Music: 🌀💊🤷 Rating: 🦋🦋(🦋)/5
This sounds like a budget version of Deep Purple. Not essential to me at all. The keys are pretty good, drums are OK, but overall it sounds amateurish. Judging by the reviews, people seem to love the title track. I don't understand why. 90% is the same riff (a good one) run into the ground with some mediocre improvisation on top of it. Not bad enough for 1 star though.
Apparently I am in the minority here, but Iron Butterfly blows. Listen, I love a good long epic song, but the one song anyone can name on this album is 17 minutes of ass. An argument could be made that this isn't even within the top 20 albums of 1968 let alone making the cut of albums you MUST hear before you die. 2 stars just for what could be considered its influence on heavy music.
Very much of its time. I.e. shit
Glad it ended
This one is fine. Honestly the first side would be great, but then there's the infamous 17 min In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. Ok we get it, its a thing and probably without it these guys wouldn't really have made the mark on music like they did. Honestly, I've heard it before, but I have no need to ever listen to it in its entirety again. It's bordering on that jam band noodling that just goes on for way longer then it needs to. If you've never listened, check it out, but once you've hear it, it's just ok.
hoje não
sounds a bit like the Guess who. not enough here to keep me sonically interested .. yawn ho hum..
Nope. It's like Tom Jones fronting Deep Purple having just purchased a rhyming dictionary. Putting the spine in Spinal Tap.
It was fine. Nothing crazy.
Of course this album is preposterous. That's the appeal. I spent most of the time listening to the bass lines. I really wanted to buy a copy. I even found a cheapo copy on ebay. But it's a crap album. That's why it's so cheap. Doh! In summary: I like the idea of the album, but not the execution.
not a huge fan of hard rock or songs that are longer than 5 minutes and constitute half of the album run time
The Iron Butterfly was Len Houmous’ signature move in the bedroom. Most of his wives said that this was what made him such an addictive lover. 2.3 5/6 Are You Happy
Not my jam
Kinda bland
Mid.
Start with side 2. The title track filling all of side 2 is where the genius in this record has always rested. 17 minutes of progressive rock and psychedelia with drug influenced babbling that defines for a generation what it means to “trip”. This is not to say that the track is perfect - there are easily several minutes beginning around the 4:00 minute mark and ending around the 12:50 mark that is just a drum beat. No wonder the single cuts out about 14:00 minutes. Unfortunately, side 1 is not nearly as inspiring and is rather insipid particularly the absolutely hideous piece entitled Flowers and Beads. The rest of side 1 is equally uninspiring. Generic riffing with underwhelming vocals that compel the listener to shut off the album and find something with a pulse. This is a huge miss. Only nostalgia is responsible for this record appearing on these lists. This album is a precursor to the bloat that would lead to the punk rock explosion several years later. So I guess it was good for something.
Interesting sound. The title track has by far the best hook. I guess maybe Iron Butterfly is important as a predecessor to metal--but I don't really enjoy most metal. So shrug.
Funny Simpsons jokes aside, I thought this album as a whole was mostly bad. Generic, paint-by-numbers acid rock that boils down to five tracks of “Oooo baby I love you so” before we get to the title track that has its moments, but it’s way too fucking long and goes nowhere in the middle. Very disappointing listen. 2/5
I only know this band through the title track, which I've heard several times, but not for a long time. But I thought this was a really hard rocking band but it turns out - not so much. Song 1: pretty dance-hippie with plenty of 60s rock organ. It's really more of a pop song than a rock song. It's not at all what I expected when I hit play. Song 2: More pop! If you told me this was the title song to a Brady Bunch type of TV show I'd believe you with no hesitation. Song 3: I have been gravely mislead. Was this band big with the teeny bopper American Bandstand crowd? This is just shitty hippie pop music. Song 4: OK, it's still a bit light in the ass, but I can at least hear some rock stylings here. It's like they're reaching for something and they haven't quite gotten there. Song 5: Last song before the main event and now we're talking! The first 30 seconds actually sounds like Rock and Roll! Then the singing starts and I've been let down, again. Still, this is the rocking-est song so far. As an aside, I know it was a different time, but the mix is goddamned awful. It's so tinny and thin, there's almost no bass, and the kick drum sounds like a little puff of air. The guitar has its moments, but the real star of this album is the organ. They really made sure it was predominately front and center. OK, here we go: Song 6, the title track, the money maker. I've never heard the 17 minute album version, so is this song enough to save the album? No. It is not. Look, it's a decent song, but being 17 minutes certainly doesn't help it, especially when what seems like 10 of those minutes id the most rudimentary drum solo I have literally ever heard. This album sold more than 30 million records and was, in fact, the bestselling Atlantic Records album until Led Zeppelin IV blew it out of the water. Still, 30 million records is a metric fuckton of records sold, and it goes to show that in the old days, if you had one banger you could make a killing selling records, because people had no choice but to buy the whole thing. I appreciate that this album had the decency to only be 36 minutes long, but not as much as I appreciate the fact that I never have to listen to it again.
голос бесит немного, в целом норм
Meh
Oh god, Iron Butterfly. Well, the title track is still kind of fun in its ridiculous way, but as an album it's not exactly one of the enduring artworks of its age.
Another strange album. The list of albums that make up this fine list are certainly eclectic. The vocalist sounded like Vic Reeves doing the club singer on Shooting Stars. Musically it couldn't have sounded more 60's if it tried. It was ok, I listened to the whole album but never really got into it. I was never in danger of turning it off. I think 2 stars is about right.
Don't love this one. I think it's a 2 star for me. Didn't completely hate it.
Another album where it’s like why is this even here
I mean, there’s a reason In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is the only song by them anyone knows. It’s a good song though. The rest was fine, but not at all memorable. Not sure we needed a one hit wonder on this list.
Side 1 sounds like something from the section in Spinal Tap where it shows what they were doing in the late 60s. Side 2 is kind of glorious in it's stupidity, but overall this isn't an album I'd want to listen to again.
I don't hate this, but it's your run-off-the-mill psychedelic album. Nothing here stands out, it's void of any good material. 2/5
1.83
Basically the psych keyboard version of Leh-'nerd 'Skin-'nerd. Forgettable tracks, followed by a long closing solo. That keyboard solo is just sooo increeeeeedddddibbbbllleeeee, though.
Have never been a fan of Iron Butterfly and this just reinforces that. 2 stars or D+.
This version is superior: https://youtu.be/ulDC1w1ydLI
I never understood all of the love given to the title track. To me, it’s always been long and boring; the musicianship isn’t particularly impressive, and I never cared for the lead vocals either. The voice sounds contrived and, annoying. I’ll give them credit for being innovative and having one song take up an entire side of an album…but that doesn’t make it good, or even interesting. Most of the songs on the first side of the album sounded surprisingly “poppy” to me and out of place…but again, that voice. This one gets two stars from me.
What a dated sounding album - should not be on the list. Side 1 is just overall dreadful but the title track/side 2 saves it from 1 star
That damn keyboard/electric organ sound is one of my biggest pet peeves with music from this era. Also, the sound mixer and producer did a real terrible job.
A-siden er ganske trash. B-siden er ganske legendarisk, men Simpsons gagen er fortsatt bedre enn låta. Egentlig lever jeg ganske godt uten Iron Butterfly i livet mitt.
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 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
This would have been better if it only had the title track.
The title song is definitely a stone cold classic from the era. However, the rest of the album is mediocre at best.
Only the titular track is worth listening to, it is kickass though
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.
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.
The title track is still good, but it's not as good as I remember. The other tracks are...fine.
It has its moments. Harsh and prickly, but mostly not in a good way. Pairs well with pretending to be cool.
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
Fluff. Dette er en singel, og selv singel-sangen er mest fluff.
A bunch of hippie nonsense with a potentially good song that goes on way too long.
I mean, the first half is literally just waiting for the moment of rock
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.
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
Not bad, but wouldn't listen to it again. Psychedelic rock with good instrumentals and meh vocals.
Love prog rock, didn’t love this one. 2.5 star really but no halfsies
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.
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.
Bad wanna be psych
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.
Nope, just nope
Ruim
Well known, not necessarily my taste.
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.
Rock organ is just too cheesy for me and no song should be double digit length, no matter how iconic.
# 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
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.
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.
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.
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?
2+
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
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!
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.
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
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.
Meh
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.
It sounded like 1968. I wasn't around in 1968. I have no need to revisit it.
2/5 the only good song is the title song. The rest are bland and forgettable.
Interesting album, but probably wouldn’t listen to it again
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
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).
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.
Decent album. Seems to be somewhat regular rock. The title track of course is the stand out!
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.
The title track is pretty sick though! Very cool first listen, but limited repeat value.
I guess you had to be there. Done better by The Doors, Deep Purple, and Vanilla Fudge
Enjoyed the epic song, but the rest of the lyrics are way too twee
The other songs are okay - the title track is of course a classic but oh man those are some lengthy solos.
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
This ain’t it
Honestly, fuck 60s psychedelia. This has one sort of solid track on it and it's 16 minutes to goddamn long.
fine
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.
Had never heard of them before, but I liked it enough.
I think it’s solely on here for having one decent song… 4/10
This album is contingent on the 17min song of the same title. Good track with great jammin. Otherwise pretty mild album.
Aside from a portion of the song itself, this album was not engaging.
Boring
I couldn’t listen to an entire song. I found it boring. I now get why 17m was cut to 3m for the USA market. They are influential so that adds a star.
Nice. Not thrilling, but nice
one 5 star song and a whole lot of filler
I was excited to see 6 songs and 36 minutes. My excitement disappeared seeing the tile track was over 16 mins. I did not enjoy this one.
Quite samey throughout. I probably wouldn't listen to it again but I didn't hate it.
More freakin psychedelia. Great. The title track is all you need to listen to, and not even this self-indulgent 17 minute version of it. One song does not an album make, even if it is nearly half of the album’s total runtime. Lame.
There're a lot of people in reviews saying that there's only one good song on this album, but TBH even that feels a bit generous; the title track kind of plods along. A very low two; borderline one.
Aside from “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” it was mostly forgettable, but listenable. Didn’t really gain anything out of it. Toss away record.
Probably cool in the 60’s, but to me it’s just boring dad rock. Inagoddadavida is about 16 minutes too long.
A massive hit that goes hard in an album that is forgettable.
That one song was iconic for being long
Just dull
Not my thing sort of rock
The songs weren’t good and the jam didn’t really hold my attention. Seriously, cut out the drum solo. No one needs to hear a drum solo on that. 2 stars just for reminding me about the Simpsons gag where this song comes up.
Plain old boring music.
This album is so lovesick it's kind of overbearing. This sort of super psychedelic, organ heavy music about love is very common and I'm not about to say that Iron Butterfly are reinventing the wheel, it's more just some cool ideas and textures but anything beyond that is just not really there for me. It's just fine but nothing to write home about
jag försökte. men jag tycker inte att det har åldrats med någon vidare värdighet.
Honestly I'm pretty meh on this one. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida as a standalone track is a psychedelic rock staple that has been re-interpreted and sampled across different genres. However, I don't really feel like I needed the first side of this album in my life. Title track jams, but as an album review this scores low for me. high 2/ 5.
I listened to this while I played video games with my 7 year old son. That’s about peak experience for this album. It’s not bad classic rock, but it’s far from revolutionary. Lyrics are mid at best, the musicians can play alright which is their saving grace. The whole mythology is built around some poorly scribbled lyrics that became a 17 minute psychedelic jam. Okay.
Don't know if I've ever listened to an album that rhymed one word with the same word more. Has nothing going for it other than one great bassline. Lucky not to be a 1 tbh.
Promised more than it delivered.
They just sound like a pound shop Doors to me. The vocalist and the lyrics are truly painful, the organ not a patch on Manzarek (who he’s clearly mimicking in some places). The rest of the band have some moments, but one catchy riff and a heavy rock out on a painfully long song (with a naff untechnical drum solo) does not an album rescue. There’s so much better psych rock out there than this.
Pre-listening thoughts: I’m a few behind while rating this but today’s is Blur and I’m really excited for it. But I told myself before I can listen to Blur I have to listen to this one and Bruce Springsteen (have been putting these off bc I don’t think I’ll enjoy them). Wahhhhhh Post/during listening thoughts: this is not as bad as I was expecting it to be. It’s unbelievably mid psychedelic rock but I’ve heard MUCH worse from this list in terms of psychedelic rock so thank god it’s decent. The guys singing voice isn’t my fav (he’s weirdly Pearl Jam-esque? I don’t like it). The title track doesn’t need to be 17 mins. Hate psychedelic rock for pulling shit like this. Swinging between 2 and 3 stars with this one bc overall, it’s decent but idk. 4.5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: Flowers and Beads Least fav tracks: My Mirage, the monstrous title track
Another one I remember from my parents' vinyl stash growing up. The vocalist sounds like the poor man's Tom Jones. Musically it's ok, but feels like they're trying for somewhere between The Doors and Zappa and not quite getting there. The title track still cracks me up every time.
Sorta lost its vibe, it was OK, but not what I remembered, I suppose if I was tripping….
Dreary is, I think, the best one-word description. Self-indulgent. Even the title track is a slog, with a weak drum solo and, strangely, an appearance of God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen during the organ solo.
First half was a string of forgettable organ-based psych rock and the only memorable thing on offer is the epic title track on side b. Memorable doesn’t necessarily equal ‘good’ though. It’s memorable for being very long and having a catchy riff. I much preferred the Incredible Bongo Band’s version of it though.
Loooooonnnnnggggg last track.
2 - just some old music that doesn't really appeal to me in style or delivery
This album is just a vehicle for their magnum opus, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, with a few basic trippy songs filling in the other 18 minutes of this album. And that magnum opus was supposed to be called “In the Garden of Eden” but the singer was so hammered he slurred the lyrics and here we are today. Can we please bring back the 36 minute album? That’s the best thing about it.
If I wanted to listen to the doors I would just do that. The organ killed it for me. Not on replay for me.
Listening to this album: "Just get to "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" already! Listening to "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida:" Just end already.
Wasn’t very interesting to me, pretty repetitive sound-wise. I thought I would enjoy this more than I did, and would choose other bands/albums of the era before this. Not real inspiring
60's psych rock with mumbling lyrics, and a 17 minute rambling track to close the album with. there I've just saved you 39 minutes
Found this more interesting from a music historical perspective than as a listening experience that I am planning to revisit any time soon. Here you've got a band only a couple of years after the Beatles doing something that with one foot is still firmly in the sixties 'beat' music tradition (those neat little back up vocals for instance) but with the other is exploring wilder, more psychedelic pastures. You can hear them moving towards, say, Pink Floyd and Deep Purple (via the Doors). As an album it too uneven for me and the songs aren't particularly memorable either.
Iconic song, rest of the album is not my taste.
Omg, this bored me. Yes, even the epic title track. Which I must have heard before (because Manhunter) but obviously did not make much of an impression. And to think this was the best selling album of the year in the US. Wild
This album is a mashup of '60s contemporary influences - The Beatlesesque harmonies, The Doors-y keyboards, and the riff-heavy songs structures of Cream. Unfortunately, the whole is less than the sum of its parts. The various elements of each song seem to clash rather than cohere, making the listening experience unintentionally uncomfortable. For example, the track "Termination" begins with an interesting groove but somehow ends up with almost medieval melodies sparring with child-like keyboard noodling before fading away inexplicably, leaving the listener thoroughly unsatisfied. Finally, the title track is wholly unworthy of being 17 minutes long given that it consists of a single riff and some out of place solos. The album does earn an extra star for a nice bass tone.
There was some cool stuff here, kind of doors-esque in some songs. Not a lot I'll come back too but a cool album, in-a-gadda-da-vida is interesting
2.5 stars. The title track has a catchy riff and cool structure but is ridiculously long (17 mins). Other than that it's just some forgettable psychedelic prog rock.
If they try to tell you that side A is worth while, they are lying.
Meh, not enough rock and roll for me tbf
Would not be in any way worried if I never heard this album or any track off it ever again.
meh…
i can’t bring myself to sit through this
Unfortunately this has not aged well, but I enjoyed it back in the day
This is just typical synth
Bloviated organ noodlings with terrible vocals. The Simpsons did it better.
Has its moments, but it can drift off when listening to it. It might feel boring as it is nothing new now and having a 17-minute song, can feel too much! But it did give us the great Simpsons line "this sounds like rock and or roll" So that has to count for something. It's not a bad album, its an okay album, and In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is a very good song, just can feel too long at times
Suppose the clue was in the band name: way less heavy than I anticipated. Other than the eponymous title track (which largely kicks ass but is preposterously long) I didn't much care for it. Too noodley.
Title track is a classic riffy jam. I could take or leave the rest of the album.
Groovy baby, good song. But by jove, do these records sound awful
2/5
Heard the title track dozens of times but I don't recall ever hearing another song by these guys. After listening, it's obvious why that is. First cut sounds a lot like the Doors.
I couldn’t get past thinking about the Simpsons bit where they play In-a-gadda-da-vida in church and it lasts hours. The 60’s were wild. I did like Flowers and Beads.
One riff. Seventeen minutes. This is what happens when no one says ‘that’s enough
Between Iron Butterfly and The Doors, who ripped off who? The answer? Who cares.
The title track is a brilliant song, but the rest is very forgettable 2/5
How the hell did this sell 30mil copies?!?!
Extra star for the Simpson’s episode where Bart gets everyone to sing this in church
Eh? LKinda generic for its genre and time, there's like 50 other albums just like it
Psychedelics boring.
One decent song that is about 15 minutes too long and I can't even remember the others
The album should have just been the last song to be honest.
Just a little too much psych!
I’m somewhat familiar with the song “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida,” but I don’t think I’ve ever listened to it in its entirety, and I’ve definitely never heard any other Iron Butterfly songs. However, I’m pretty sure I have realistic expectation of this album heading into it. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon that tripping audio balls? This album was pretty much what I expected it to be in terms of its sound: heavy organ usage and heavily distorted guitars. The first side of the album was pretty unremarkable. The arrangements were decent, and I enjoyed some of the vocal techniques utilized on “Flowers and Beads,” but lyrically, these songs were all just a bunch of sixties ‘hey girl, I love you’ songs, which I found to be pretty bland. On top of that, calling any female ‘girl’ these days tends to come with heavy implications that she’s underage, so… yeah, that’s not my favorite thing to hear. As for the title track, well, if you’re going to write a seventeen-minute-long song that’s feels like doing drugs, that’s certainly how you do it. The opening and closing organ riff are absolute perfection, and the fuzzy guitar balances it out really well. The somewhat mumbled vocals are great too, and help to create the dark and trippy atmosphere of the song. Can you imagine going over to a friend’s house, and they tell you there’s a song you have to hear, and they throw on “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” for you? I imagine the awkwardness in that room would be so present, that you could cut it with a knife. It’s still a great song, but that’s not a journey I’m itching to go on several times. I can appreciate the influence and importance of this album, but for me, the title track is easily the main attraction. Still, the album as a whole isn’t that impressive to me, and that’s why it’s getting a lower rating.
A one hit wonder album to me. The organ was grating on most tracks. Maybe we are spoiled by all the remasters.
Not a lot going on here
To me this is just boring and uninspired rock that goes on and on.
Not really a fan of this one at all. I found pretty much every single before the title track to be almost completely unremarkable. The left and right channel mixing made them almost a chore to listen to as, at some points, it truly felt like each instrument was playing independently and I just happened to be hearing them at the same time as opposed to them being played together as a part of the song. The title track did next to nothing for me too. Never grabbed my attention at all but that’s just me. Don’t really have a reason for it. So yeah not really getting this one at all. Comes off as unremarkable to me although I can see why the title track would be considered pretty important. Never despised it or anything but never really felt like I was listening to anything worthwhile either.
This isn't awful and I appreciate the sound but it isn't great.
Very 1960s rock. Mostly all forgettable except the title track. I really like the title track. I'll probably try and listen to it more often. I think I have it on Vinyl. Good Simpsons bit too.
Honestly I think this album just made me laugh at the fact that this song was a one hit wonder and I genuinely can’t tell why. I feel like I just had this album on in the background and it just went on with me. It was alright but nothing special.
Not gonna lie. If it wasn't for that song, there's not much going on here, and that song is probably about 14 minutes too long. It's like the concert version of your favourite song, where everyone gets a solo, and the singer goes off stage for a glass of water before the big finale. I know it outsold everything in the world or something, but there really couldn't have been much competition. Two really long and drawn out stars.
It was okay, title track is a classic of course
Not very good unfortunately.
This would not be on the list if it weren’t for the title track.
Not what I expected from the album art work although that probably says more about me than them. A bit Door-sy.
It’s an ok psychedelic album. Wouldn’t be notable if it was for the last track
I don't even really like the one song this is famous for.
What’s to say that hasn’t been said in the last 56 years about this album? It’s a period piece. All of it. Then thereis the magnum opus at just over 17 minutes. An eternity when compared to the average song today. It’s a dirge. A minor chord dirge, but it’s the dirge we have and somehow we love it. It’s like that old crispy uncle who repeats the same old stories over and over and over, but he still gets invited to all the family events. We tolerate him like we tolerate In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.
Quaint artifact. The title track is pretty catchy, though it doesn't warrant 18 minutes. The bass player is pretty dope.
40/100 I know about this album's influence. But I can't help but think "There is other bands doing this wayy better" on every song. Also, just because a song is 15 minutes plus in length does not make it great. In this case, I believe it greatly hurts a record that was somewhat engaging, to have a 5 minute drum solo
Historically significant for some reason! Heavy psychedelia. Side A is dull. And the lead title track is just a jam with a drum solo.
It is obvious that the title track "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" had a tremendous impact on the future development of hard rock/heavy metal. But the rest of this album is, to be kind, less than mediocre. Abysmal production, lyrics not even worth mentioning, and the music is just acceptable but is smashed to pieces by the poor production. Could have been a 4-star if the first side was anywhere near the level of the second side.
PLEASE TAKE MY HAAHHHANNNNDDD
The backing band is nice but the songwriting and vocals leave something to be desired.
This is mostly terrible, but obviously notable for the ridiculous title track. Never want to listen to this again, but not angry that I did.
It really does show that half of this album was recorded while high as a kite on LSD, doesn't it? All its aimless doodling and running in structural circles do come off as a working of people not quite in tune with the passing of time.
i did not like rhis album
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is the only one i knew before. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is the only one i know now. one hit wonder album. rest is not bad but forgettable
The title track is a classic of course, but Ingle’s quavering vocal style doesn’t do it for me.
Overall, I thought it was okay, but not very exciting. It was rather certain parts of songs that I liked, and I particularly liked the end of Termination.
Cringy lyrics and endless organ noodling, what's not to love. Some riffs are admittedly pretty good, but I'll be moving on. Thanks, I. Ron.
just didn't like it.
Dit is toch een beetje een doorsnee band die je niet per se opzoekt, maar toevallig even meepakt in de kroeg. Wat doet het in de lijst? We moeten het van het laatste nummer nummer hebben schijnt. Dat mag dan wel heel wat zijn. Kom maar door dan. En eerlijk is eerlijk, als ik dit toevallig mee zou pakken in de kroeg en het instrumentale gedeelte begint, zou ik echt wel even mijn gesprek pauzeren en mijn aandacht op de band richten. Al duurt het nummer wel lang zeg. Ze doorbreken het wel met een wat vager gedeelte. Maar dat zou juist het moment zijn dat ik mijn gesprek weer voort zou zetten. Al met al pakt het album enkele minuten mijn aandacht. Dat is echt ondermaats.
Best Song: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. An encapsulation of an era, with a super iconic sound. This is the level of cool that they tried and failed to reach in the first 5 tracks in the album. Sadly, even it succumbs to the prog-rock monster of bloating a cool idea, spreading what was interesting to cover an unnecessarily large area. Worst Song: My Mirage. The light, warbly vocals were not doing it for me. Overall: Functionally two albums: a boring and uneventful first half, full of scattered, forgetful tracks, and then In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. In my opinion, there is absolutely no reason to listen to the album in its entirety. Go ahead and skip to the last track.
I dunno, for some reason this just sounds dated to me, as theoretically this is something I thought I would enjoy. Hate the vocals as well. only saving grace is some of the riffs in here
Dust off your bongos, and settle down with a niiice doobie fir this album…
certainly didnt have a bad time with this but dont see myself coming back to it anytime soon...
Feels derivative compared to other bands like the Doors and other acid rock and psychedelic bands. The single is ponderous and actually preferred their other songs on the album
Funny how you can tell right away what decade music is from. This is very 60s. I don't think I've ever heard Iron Butterfly. Interesting so far. Nothing earth shattering. But I do like the sound. OH! the song by the same name of the album.In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida I've heard before.
It is obviously on this list for a reason but that reason is lost on me. Didn’t hate it but won’t be reaching for it any time soon.
Sub-standard doors off their hinges. Probably a blast live.
This album was not great. The only song I really enjoyed was the titular song, even though it was quite long. Had some very nice riffs in it. 2.5
It was all right
Let's be real: we're all here for the B-side. The 17-minute long psych rock epic has been heralded for it's biblical length and contributions to the heavy metal genre. The side A songs pale in comparison, it's not even worth mentioning them; they're skippable '60s rock slop. Ambiance-setting organs, primitive drum solos, and crushing guitar solos are what make In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida the legend that it is. And it feels like an amateur performance that they couldn't be bothered to plan better. The Simpsons made a gag out of it where the church organist is tricked into playing the whole 17-minute song, but they neglected to account for the aimless drum solo that account for a good 5 minutes of this song. The only thing In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida has going for itself is the memorable hook, which is likely what most people remember it for. That, and the fact that it's 17 minutes long. My theory is that people misremember the song as 17 minutes of that riff being interpolated in different ways, so it must be good. No, it's just okay. I don't think it deserves nearly as much praise. Even considering it's legacy and influence, I am terribly underwhelmed.
I really wanted to like this. But it didn't have the range I was looking for. The obvious all-timers hold up, but the songs outside of that didn't really grab me.
Meh.
It really catches you while it’s in a rough spot. The mix is strange, the playing feels out of sync, and it starts out with a pretty obvious rip-off of the “Light My Fire” keyboard riff. You just know these guys are C+ musicians at best. When the vocals came in, I immediately went, “Oof, that’s a choice for this dude to sing.” And so, Side A continues on as a messy, mediocre, forgettable slog. This isn't atypical for particular this era of psychedelic 🌼Flower Power🌸 drivel, but this is notably bad. I do get how the fuzz guitars and organ sounds can add a little ✨something something✨, but it’s not done well enough to even feel influential. In fact, I’m hearing a lot of flubbed notes throughout. In many ways, this is the quintessential $1 record, or worse, one thrown into the basement stacks, meant to be forgotten forever. And then the title track comes on. And like, it doesn’t need to be 17 minutes long, but it works. Despite the musicians behind it, it works. It doesn’t save this album or validate it or elevate it to the status of an essential piece of art to listen to before you die, but it saves it from an eternity of basement mildew by giving it something worthwhile. Unfortunately it’s not worthwhile enough to make it worth anything close to legitimate praise.
That's 36 minutes of my life I won't get back.
2 stars for the title track, but there’s not much else worth listening to here.