Reviews (page 2 of 7)
Takovy lepsi country
I would classify this as the album to pair with "Surrelestic Pillow" by Jefferson Airplane. It doesn't have the hits of that album, but would argue is a better album listen with the same sound. It is that 60s california psych mixed with folk, country, blues and the outstanding feature of having 3 guitarists in the band before that was popular. 4 stars could definitely get higher on more listens
Pretty groovy harmonies, man.
this is not that bad i enjoy most of the songs, its like a knockoff beatles without john lennon which makes it better in a way
Pretty great old album
I knew enough to expect the hot guitar playing, but not the well-crafted song or the harmonies. Dig it.
I really enjoyed this.
like 3/4 of the album is missing on spotify
Not a bad album at all. Definitely better than some of the other 60s filler on this list.
This is one of those 60’s band that are critically acclaimed but were never big sellers — The Zombies, Quicksilver Messengers Service, Electric Flag, etc. I’m pretty unfamiliar with all of them. This was pretty darned good, makes me want to listen to more of the band.
Heel tof
It was classic psych rock. Underrated album overall
I liked it. Something about albums from the year I was born, I like 3/5. This has summer of love vibes with harmonies and hum-along melodies.
Jest to może nieco wtórne, ale za to bardzo stylowe i z krystalicznym wokalem. 7/10.
Pleasant! Reminded me of Buffalo Springfield and CSNY :)
- very Beach Boys esque - good vibes - enjoyed this
This album starts so strongly but starts to fade as it goes on. Still, a solid album from a band that I have never listened to.
Nice
Interesting album. Some nice compositions and use of stereo. Definitely improved by listening on headphones. Reading up on their history was a trip, unfortunate that nothing good ever came after this album from them.
One of those bands from my youth that I’d heard of, but never heard. Wish we had streaming back in the day!
Very nice music. Blues all over, dynamic guitars, nice voice. I would like to listen more by them. 3,75/5
A 60's California psychedelic blues, country rock album. The guitar work is excellent, rips it up in parts. There are some really outstanding tracks that I was not familiar with, so thanks generator. A lot of the songs are really short and seem unfinished. If The Dead, Jefferson Airplane and The Byrds are your thing you should check this one out
favorite song: come in the morning vibe: the CD you don't typically pick from your parents collection that actually kinda rips rating: 79/100
Not bad!
Groovy, funky, really fun.
Pretty good rock and roll album. Would listen again
I liked this one. At least, I liked those bits of it I could find on Spotify, which is a bit of a shame, because I'd like to hear more. I'm going to give this one a tentative four stars, and am going to see if I can track down a physical copy on the old ebay.
Never heard of Moby Grape before hand but glad to of been introduced to them. Classic album that feels just good and one that will come back to.
Never heard of this band, but was pleasantly surprised. Really enjoyed their sound. 4/5
Never heard of them before, but really liked this lp as an overall experience. Loud, a little more quiet, rocking and even a little but psychedelic - many tones are captured here. Like it!
Surprisingly solid.
Shame the versions on Deezer and Spotify are a complete mess, this is a great album. Really upbeat and ahead of the curve in the blend of Psychedelic, Folk and shades of Hard Rock in there. I'm big on this era of music but never got around to Moby Grape. The album is perhaps a bit short and doesn't have any stand out hit singles, but the whole album is just a pleasant listen that switches between uptempo and calmer songs well.
Had never heard of this group before. Loved it. Great album.
Never listened to this band or album but holy smokes was this amazing. Psychedelic minus the heads shoved up asses. Can’t say enough good things about 8:05. I need to find the two missing songs not on YouTube and to spend a couple more days with this album but this might get a five by the end of the week.
This feels like an amalgamation of the Beatles and early psychedelic rock, and in no way is that an insult. Moby Grape gives a lovely and talented tour through the genre.
I liked the mix of rock, country, blues, and psychedelia.
Initially I thought I'd be bored, I don't always like (what I perceive to be) early-Beatles-like sound. But this album revealed lots of cool multifaceted elements. The guitars weaving together was really good, as well as the complex basslines. Lots of musical skill on display!
This album was so fun! I wish it was all on Spotify so I could add more songs to my playlists. The vibes are super fun and the instrumentation is really captivating.
This record sounded great! But where is the rest of it?! Potential is a great thing to have when you're young, but not so great to have when you're old.
Love harmonies, good band with good simple songs. Awful band name but good discovery.
Psychedelic rock is great and these guys are great at it. A beautiful blend of country, blues and proto-hard rock that never stays in one place long enough for you to get bored. Sometimes this is a bad thing, and you want music to explore concepts more deeply but these guys know what they’re doing, so every song is just enough.
It was short but fun
Another album that I liked more after several listens. I especially enjoyed the guitar playing on these tracks, there are some excellent riffs going on behind the vocals. Speaking of vocals, I found them distracting. I suspect that this has more to do with the album’s production because they are collectively some talented singers. Among the weaker 4* albums for me, but it is something I want to revisit when my mindset is right, meaning properly high.
Good vibes
Dit is vette muziek. Wil het een 4 geven maar betwijfel of ik er naar terug zou komen. Mooie tijdscapsule naar de 60s maar het is niet baanbrekend.. ah boeie 3.5 naar boven
Heerlijk album Moby Grape > the Beatles
This is a great sounding 60s album, of the sort that verges on pop (I found myself thinking of Blood Sweat & Tears) but instead remains grounded in a blend of folk, country, and psychedelic rock. I don’t recognize a single song. The Wikipedia entry tells the tragic story of a string of missed opportunities and mismanagement. Consistent with that, I’ll probably never hear them again since they aren’t available to stream on Spotify. But, it’s good stuff if you can navigate the YouTube interface and commercial interruptions.
Groovy psychedelic blues from 1967. Funny to see that the most popular keyword for this album is ‘Spotify’, because the complete album is not on streaming for some reason.
A marvellous example of San Francisco scene
I liked this more than I was expecting. What an era for creative albuns like this!
Until today the only track I knew (and loved) by Moby Grape was the rolling, hypnotic “I Am Not Willing.” To my ears, that remains the best track on the album, but I did find the rest of the material to be very solid, even if I preferred they stayed towards the trippier end of the NorCal spectrum between Relatively Clean Rivers and CCR. A new highlight for me was the dynamic shifts and powerful vocal harmonies of “Seeing.”
Skönt sound som aldrig hinner aldrig bli tråkigt!
Wow!!! I love moby grape!!! Thank you list!!!
Great folky album. Would listen to this while I cooked a meal on a cold winter night.
With a name like Moby Grape I didn't expect anything less than solid from these fellas. The experimentation, variety in sound, and good vocals really make this great. It's too bad these fellas are so underground. top 5: fall on you, 8:05, omaha, sitting by the window, and lazy me 4.00/5
Quite listenable if not memorable.
Really nice 60’s rock groove to this. Gritty, with heart and soul. A sprinkling of country and blues creating a really nice mix. Distinctly 60s but also a bit of a unique sound. Five vocalists is impressive and nice instruments and arrangements creating a lovely journey. Pleasantly surprised by this and a band I wouldn’t have heard of otherwise 👊🏻 sounds a hell of a history and drama filled career too! Could have been so much bigger
Huh. This is kinda like if CCR rocked out a little more. Given the album cover (which only gets better the more you look at it), these guys might be dorks too. I don't think I've ever heard of Moby Grape before, so this was a pleasant surprise.
This was a decent album although unfortunately somewhat forgettable. 3.5/5
It's a fun, if somewhat standard, bluesy, soft rock album. What I found strange was how the slight majority of the songs on this album are not available to listen to on Spotify and I hope that this changes soon. Many of the later song compilations on Spotify, however, have songs that hold up even better than their debut album so I'm glad that I could be pushed to discovering more of their catalog at least.
Good bluesy/rock n roll type music with some apparent southern country rock influences. I liked the vibe of the album overall. Feel like there wasn't much five star-worthy standout, but a solid showing.
Great mix of folksy and rocky. 8:05 is incredible. Very close to 5 stars but it was missing the x factor.
Feels like The Byrds went electric again but with a bit more fuzz, chaos, and swagger. There’s a psychedelic edge, but underneath it are great pop instincts — big harmonies, punchy guitar interplay, and a rhythm section that drives everything forward. A few of the songs are barely over a minute, which makes some of it feel unfinished, but maybe that’s part of what makes it exciting. The album never quite found the audience it deserved, and that’s a shame — there’s something raw and full of possibility here. Worth hearing just to get a glimpse of the alternate late-60s rock history where these guys made it big. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was fun, haven't heard them before and really enjoyed.
Interesting sound for 1967.
Been really loving this era of music as of late. Late 60s sound. Blues, rock, psychedelic tones that have been my jam! Good stuff and an album I was not familiar with.
7 - GOOD
Surprisingly great. These lads could write some cracking melodies, and some of the instrumentals were very Beatles-esque. Dreadful band name that has put me off listening to them before, but yeah I’m glad I got to hear this.
short n sweet
I really enjoyed this album, but it’s pretty straightforward late ’60s rock. It’s a mix of psychedelic, blues, folk, country, and garage. One interesting thing about the album is its backstory. Columbia Records decided to release five singles simultaneously before the actual album released, which ended up diluting their impact. Despite that, it’s since been recognized as a cult classic. If I had to compare, Moby Grape is a lot like The Byrds and definitely exists in that same musical world.
Really solid 60s rock. I wish this were more widely available.
Album 927 of 1089 Moby Grape - Moby Grape (1967) Rating : 4 / 5 Some truly awesome rock on this one — tight playing, great songs, and the kind of album that grows on you the more you hear it. A really solid listen that I’m glad to have spent time with.
The Beatles meet Jimmi Hendrix meet … nice album, with many styles, no real hits but nice to hear something new and worth relistening.
Pretty darn good if you ask me
Like this a lot. Good old school west coast rock n roll. Not my favourite of the era but definitely up there. 4.5 stars
A nice little album! Catchy songs 4 ⭐️
Fun!
Moby grape was good
Why is this rated so poorly? It’s a fantastic album start to finish. Come In The Morning is a be-boppin jam! These cats should have been more popular, they were definitely cool.
Good late 60s rock n roll, along the lines of CSNY and Buffalo Springfield.
Good, sixties rock album
Pretty solid psychedelic rock, feels very of the time even though I didn’t know the songs
Really easy to listen to all the way through. Great 60's rock sound. Can't believe I never put them. While the genre isn't what I tend to reach for much these days and for never having heard them, this really feels like an instant classic to my ears.
Поначалу очень нравилось, ближе к концу поднадоело. Так-то музыка довольно жизнерадостная. 6,5 из 10.
Really good!
I'd never heard of this band but they are very reminiscent of The Grateful Dead, Buffalo Springfield and CCR. Nice guitar work and harmonies, and bridges the gap between blues and psychedelic rock I'm on the train so I can only listen to the tracks on Spotify. They are good though. Note to self to revisit and listen to the rest, if I remember
Pretty standard guitar pop. Not bad atal'
Really enjoyed this. Funky, feel-good tunes. Tight harmonies. Mix of country, rock, and soul. Very catchy.
60's psychedelia
Couldn't listen on Spotify (not all of it any way) So headed over to youtube to catch it. Sometimes you get very ordinary psych bands or examples, this is pretty good! Catchy, good musicianship. I wonder why I hadn't heard of them before? I enjoyed Mr Blues (not on Spotify) 8:05 (is on Spotify). Nice to be surprised and find a hidden gem thanks to this little project. Liked it so much I found a vinyl copy on Ebay.
No bad tracks
Great late 60s rock.
Un álbum de rock "suave" que junta con el blues,que no sé queda atrás para ser 1967
Maybe more a good example of the genre, rather than innovative, given everything else that was going on in '67? But enjoyable.
i was prepped to be bored out of my mind by this. just another wannabe beatles 1960s psych rock album. but then they started singing about robitussin. these guys would've loved future had they been kicking these days pretty good, whenever they're not doing country stuff it feels like a rougher, more lofi (might just be the rip i listened to on youtube tho) beatles. i liked it a whole lot more than i expected to
Cool late 60’s bluesy rock
Maybe it's the flu but I really quite liked this.
Lots of variety in this album. I was thinking it’d just be another rock album but there was a good mix of genres. Shame it’s not fully on Spotify.
Som en del af roden for den klassiske psykedeliske rock fra Californien, som jeg elsker, ramte det et kendt sted for mig. Jeg nød albummet rent genremæssigt og musikalsk, men af til bliver det lidt for gammeldags til mig, selvom jeg genkender dets betydning 7/10
Pretty decent 60s rock
84% Best: Hey Grandma; Come In The Morning; Changes; Indifference Must-Hear? Sure
Like the rockiest of the Beatles. I heavily like. Very likely to be added to my rotation. Good summer/Logan Lucky vibes. I only wish the audio was crisper. Not quite as amazing to warrant a 5, but very much up my alley for a random album.
3.5
This is great! 4.5? Could this be a 5 one day?
These guys rip. One of these days I’ll have to purchase a physical copy or something because I’d like to revisit it but I hate listening to albums on Youtube. I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did but they really packed a lot of good riffs and harmonies into short packages and that has an almost psych-punk effect. Very cool. Must-listen #156.
I can't quite decide if the complicated process of finding the tracks of this album, in order and on a platform I can listen to them, made for a fun side-quest or a frustrating waste of time. Part of it's on Spotify. Part of it's on Spotify but hidden within a best-of compilation. Part of it isn't on Spotify but can be found on a live album. Physical copies are extortionate, even second-hand. iTunes has all of the tracks, but across multiple albums and priced individually, not as an album. OK fine, I can decide - it was indeed, frustrating. Especially as this eventually turned out to be a really rewarding find. Not a million miles from its late-60s contemporaries, from The Beatles to the Small Faces via the Byrds, CSNY and other reference points in-between. '8:05' is superb. 'Indifference' is brilliant and overall it just hangs together as a great rock album from a golden era. I am going to keep searching for a copy that costs less than my car, as I think I really like it, and I hope whatever legal wrangle has got in the way for so long eventually gets worked out. This deserves to be properly reissued so it can be heard and enjoyed by more people, including those who don't have the patience to stalk every track and put it back together piece by piece. Pause and talk to the rabbit; it's worth it.
really well produced record and some great tracks, really good rock and roll, only thing is that the songs were all on separate albums and 2 songs weren’t on apple music, so not very accessible as a whole
Positiv overraskelse
Gilbert must be frothing from the mouth at this point
I really enjoyed this album, but it’s pretty straightforward late ’60s rock. It’s a mix of psychedelic, blues, folk, country, and garage. One interesting thing about the album is its backstory. Columbia Records decided to release five singles simultaneously before the actual album released, which ended up diluting their impact. Despite that, it’s since been recognized as a cult classic. If I had to compare, Moby Grape is a lot like The Byrds and definitely exists in that same musical world.
The most noteworthy thing about Moby Grape appears to be their spectacular level of failure. The band was barely held together amid tensions and the album's release is a surely now seen as a prime example of how not to market a band (releasing almost every track as a single, all at once, probably sounded like a good plan on paper). If not for these setbacks, we're told, Moby Grape would have been a huge success. Maybe so. They weren't the only ones blending San Francisco psychedelic music with country and blues, for a uniquely American late 60s sound. But they did it pretty well. But this one hasn't worked as an album for me. Maybe because of the singles strategy or because (at the time of writing) there are loads of gaps on Spotify that required me to switch back and forth between services and listen to a lot of ads of online casinos. But I get the appeal and do think they deserved better. I'm not quite sure how to rate this one but I'm giving a generous 4 because I think it's worth returning to.
Love this album. Been at least a decade since I've heard it. Mr. Blues: absolutely love the vocals here Fall on You: sounds like a more energetic Grateful Dead tune 8:05: beautiful vocal melody and harmonies. Omaha: incredible guitar work Naked if I Want To: a 10/10 perfect song at 0:58 seconds. This should have been 3 mins. Love the bassline, great vocal melody/harmonies, silly lyrics, nice guitar licks. They showed so much potential with this debut, it's a shame they never really hit it big.
Pretty good.
Surprisingly excellent album. I wasn't immediately hooked by the opening few tracks, but there is a level of Beatles mixed with Buffalo Springfield that made this a very compelling listen. Incredibly underrated and nice and short. Top tracks: 8:05; Naked, If I Want To; Sitting by the Window
(Most of the songs aren't available on Spotify)
This was surprisingly entertaining. Took me a minute to get into it but once I did I was there all the way. Album felt sort of jam-bandy, which I normally don't like too much but eventually it hooked me in.
Perfect!
Pleasing, positive West Coast blues psych rock. 8:05 makes a pleasant change of pace from the throw-everything-at-the-wall philosophy of the rest of the album. Come In The Morning is a good soul style jam and they sound pretty tight on it. Skip Spence had an amazing voice, such a shame we got to hear so little of it. In places the band’s enthusiasm triumphs over their art but it’s a fun, upbeat listen and kind of a one-off. Annoying fact: Most of the tracks are missing and streaming servers, a rights issue I guess. Had to listen on YouTube.
Getting early The Who fused with Beatles vibes out of this. I've got no song names, but for a complete unknown going in, this was a damned satisfying listen. Some of it felt like pretty standard flower-power rock, but there were some really solid cuts in here. Appreciated the bluesiness of the back couple of tracks as well as the alt-country twang earlier in the record. For me this is a low 4. Only wish it wasn't a YT listen.
Nice morning album.
Really pleasantly surprised with this one and really enjoyed it a lot more than I was expecting to. Some great tracks on here that I will be listening to again.
A real gem to unearth from a band I had never heard of. Some catchy and up tempo songs make up a well balanced album that combines various musical styles. 60s music at it’s best.
Solides classic Rock Album! Hat Spaß gemacht zu hören, aber es ist nicht viel Komplexität oder Überraschung dabei - muss es auch nicht! :-) „8:05“ ist mein Favorit, als interessanter Stilbruch im Album! 4/5
Psych rock, felt kind of british-invasion-ey
A fun, punchy album of 60s rock, not unlike the Beatles.
Typical sixties sound. Just beautiful. Like music to my ears!
Never heard of this band before. Really good album. Giving fours stars but it’s razor thin between 4 and 5. Just lacking that one track that pushes it over the edge.
Solid late 60s Bay Area psychedelia.
My second album in a row where I had to go crawling off to YouTube to hear the thing in full. I was pleasantly surprised at how good this is. It's unfortunate that it's not more accessible to a modern listening audience. It's concise, strong late 60s rock music. I like the layering of the vocals and the lead guitar performance, and there's enough sonic variety to keep me engaged. I can hear the San Fransisco on it, especially on tracks like "8:05". A shame this band didn't get their due. I wish the sound quality was better. Some enterprising engineer should get to work on a remaster. And get it away from YouTube's awful audio compression, please.
01/03/25 I have never heard of this band before and it's a shame that didn't produce much more.
I believe there is a modern artist called moby, so I was expecting something connected to that. Couldn't be much further from the truth. Started similar to The Greatful Dead, and was later reminiscent of the Mamas and Papas. On the whole I really liked it. Got to be worth a 4
Really liked it!
Pretty good! Enjoyed listening
Love the free sound of the San Francisco music scene. Good album, worth a listen.
This was surprisingly great. Sounded like a Beatles album if they never went to India. Great harmonies, catchy sound
Had a lot of fun, although someone should definitely clear the rights up so it can be properly released on streaming.
a really fun album! definitely psychedelic leaning. i really appreciated that each song sounded distinctly different.
I very much enjoyed this but wouldn’t call it a seminal album that gives The Beatles a run for their money! Would of been a lot better with out the quick fade outs just as things started to get interesting but this was quite common back then. Vocal harmonies are excellent and as a band they really rock, I bet they were good live when they started out.
Can't recall hearing this before, but it hit right, right on the first track. It's a shame there isn't a proper upload of it on streaming. Makes such a gem really hidden. I'll have to search out a physical copy.
I liked Mr Blues, has a good crunchy tone. Come In The Morning was pretty cool too - soulful and pleasant, and I'm always in favour of a good instrumental to break up the vocals throughout the album. It's not your overly typical 60s rock album, so many other genres mixed in which is great. The guitars are melodic and create a lot of the overall feel, they make it what it is for me.
I quite liked this one. It's a good mash up of sounds from different genres at the time. Surprised I haven't really heard of them before.
Lots of fun with some good tunes. Had me bopping in the kitchen
I liked it. A surprisingly good listen. The group definitely sounded like they knew what they were doing.
What a fine album. Lots of disappointment though - it didn't work out for Moby Grape like it should have, and the story of Skip Spence is terribly sad. But, everyone should listen to this album. At least they left something behind.
Rip roaring guitar solos that inspire even the faintest of heart.
It would have been real fun to be a fan of psych music in SF in the late 60s. The harmony vocals maybe sound like basic 60s vocals but I feel like the instrumentation is really interesting if you pay attention to them. There is a lot going on and it's all very tight and driving.
The whole album wasn’t on Spotify, but what I could listen to was fantastic. This is some great 60’s psychedelic rock and surprisingly catchy tunes.
You need to go to YouTube to get the proper version of this, which is instantly a bit irritating. However! Once you do, it's well worth it. The first half, especially, is good, muscular country-psych. Mr Blues in particular sounds Hendrix-esque in its tone and instrumentation (only with a human guitar player, rather than a genius from outer space). I'm really glad to have discovered this.
I've heard of Moby Grape, but I've never listened to them. They're one of those bands that I meant to check out at some point, but never got around to. I don't know anything about them, so I'm going into this album completely blind. This album was a very pleasant surprise. It's short of five stars for me, but I thought it was really good. The songs were short, but they all had a really great sound. These songs were really unique, and the band's blending of different styles gave this album an upbeat, and overall very fun sound. The guitar playing was really great, and for an album with some psychedelic elements to it, the overall sound was really accessible. The vocals were really great too, especially the harmonies, which reminded me of Crosby, Stills, & Nash. It's a shame these guys encountered so many roadblocks to their success, because this was a great debut album, and I'm glad I finally got to listen to it. Favorite song: "Fall On You."
Fun 60s psych band I had never heard of
Had never heard of the band. Quite liked it. I'd describe it as a less dark and dramatic version of The Doors.
Quite sick. Skip Spence's Oar better also be on here.
What if Blood, Sweat, and Tears was just garage/psychedelic enough to be less popular? That would be Moby Grape. And it sounds good! Only bummer is this is not on Spotify, though easily found on YouTube. 🙄
This was pretty nice, old, psychedelic rock. Songs were too short. Stand-out: Fall on You, Ain't No Use
LP
A really enjoyable record that had me grooving. The ill-fated tale of Moby Grape is surprising indeed, they had real talent.
A Very solid bit of country-infused psychedelic with some excellent instrumentation. 4.5 bumped down to 4.
I’m up to a 4. The extent of my Moby Grape knowledge is that they were an answer once on Jeopardy. Normally, that means you had at least some cultural impact. After hearing the album, I can kinda see why – this is just really good rock. Little bit of psychedelic, a little bit of prog, certainly a bit of influence from The Beatles in here, but more than anything else, it’s just a really tight 30 minutes with some strong variety that never seems to hit a snag. I think the guitar’s on fire for most of this, with the vocals finding a bit of Elvis’ aggressive swagger and a bit of Freddie Mercury’s stylization to just make a really strong combo. The lyrics are a little more broad than I’d like, but the vocal melodies are strong enough to get the emotion across, so it balances out. I just really liked it, what else can I say? I don't think it does quite enough to get up into 5 territory, but it comes close a few times. It stakes itself right at a 4 and never really goes back down. Pretty darn good rock. Certainly not a bad one to get after Rumours.
Such a sad story about the group as a whole, their legal problems & the struggles of Skip Spence.
4 Stars
Weirdly, they remind me of The Small Faces. Getting more and more convinced about 1967 being an outstanding year for music.
This is really good. Gutted it's not on Apple Music, otherwise I'd be coming back regularly.
didn't enjoy this one.. meant to write about Mr Brubeck, that album is like a master class at times - I also looooove Take 5 - and this genre to me is spellbinding. This album however got a little repetitive towards the last tracks
I wish I would have heard this album in my teens. I really dig “Hoochie”.
I know this is a quintessential San Francisco psychedelic rock album and by I means I should love it, I just don't. It's good but it just doesn't grab me the same way as the Dead, Airplane or Quicksilver does. It's a solid 3.5 but I'll give a boost to 4 given the history.
I liked this quite a bit. I listened to this twice, the first time I sort of liked it, but listened again and liked it more the second time. Jam-band adjacent, but no 15 minute songs that you forget what you're listening to.
Never heard of them, what a great album!
I had not heard about Moby Grape, but this was definitely better than average. Some solid 60s rock with obvious other (psychedelic) influences. Not a favorite album, but a decent testament to the purpose of me doing this project.
This is just some great Psychedelic 60s rock. Though it just some good songwriting overall. It’s psychedelic in the vaguest ways. Stand out Tracks Hey Grandma 8:05 (Beautiful Ballad, should be played on radio) Come In The Morning Naked , If I want to (short ditty and nice melody) Sitting By The Window This is right up my alley it’s so close to a 5/5 but the second side dives a little To hard into those “San Francisco” vibes 4/5
A really well done mix of country and rock. There are some super groovy tracks here and just good feeling all around. Good job Moby Grape! 👍
**Moby Grape** by Moby Grape is a seminal album released in 1967 that stands as a landmark of the psychedelic rock era. The San Francisco-based band's debut album blends elements of rock, folk, blues, country, and psychedelic music into a cohesive and innovative sound. Here’s an in-depth review that explores the album’s lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with its pros and cons. ### **Lyrics** The lyrics of *Moby Grape* are a distinctive mix of introspective musings, evocative imagery, and a free-spirited approach characteristic of the late 1960s. The band’s three principal songwriters—Skip Spence, Jerry Miller, and Peter Lewis—each brought unique perspectives to the table, creating a diverse lyrical landscape throughout the album. Tracks like “Omaha” and “Hey Grandma” display a playful, almost nonsensical use of language. “Omaha,” for instance, juxtaposes surrealistic imagery with a driving, urgent vocal delivery, creating a sense of chaotic excitement. “Hey Grandma” employs a mix of cheeky humor and social commentary, capturing the countercultural spirit of the time with lines like, “Hey Grandma, you're so young / Your old man’s got a gun.” On the other hand, songs such as “8:05” and “Someday” delve into more contemplative and melancholic territory. “8:05” is a poignant reflection on the end of a relationship, with simple but emotionally resonant lyrics: “But there’s no use in crying, telling me you love me.” The track "Someday" is a more hopeful rumination, looking forward to better times with a poetic sincerity. Overall, the album’s lyrics balance between playfulness and introspection, avoiding the heavy-handedness often associated with the era’s more psychedelic efforts. However, at times, the lyrics can feel somewhat disjointed, a side effect of having multiple songwriters with differing styles. ### **Music** Musically, *Moby Grape* is a diverse album that defies easy categorization. The band’s ability to seamlessly blend various genres sets it apart from its contemporaries. Songs like "Omaha" and "Fall on You" are pure garage rock with their punchy guitar riffs, frenetic pace, and a raw, driving energy. "Omaha," in particular, features a dazzling combination of three guitars that create a powerful, swirling soundscape, underpinned by the thundering rhythm section. In contrast, tracks such as “8:05” and “Sitting by the Window” highlight the band’s ability to craft delicate, melodic folk-rock ballads. “8:05” features a gentle acoustic guitar paired with tight vocal harmonies, evoking a sense of wistfulness. Meanwhile, “Sitting by the Window” incorporates a bluesy slide guitar and a languid, meditative tempo that create a contemplative mood. The instrumental prowess of the band members—Jerry Miller, Peter Lewis, Don Stevenson, Bob Mosley, and Skip Spence—is evident throughout the album. The three-guitar lineup allows for intricate interplay and richly textured arrangements, making songs like “Changes” and “Lazy Me” both unpredictable and compelling. The band’s rhythm section also shines, particularly on songs like "Hey Grandma," where Don Stevenson’s drumming is assertive and inventive, driving the song forward with a kinetic energy. However, the album's eclecticism can sometimes be a double-edged sword. While the variety showcases the band’s versatility, it can also make the album feel somewhat scattered. Some listeners may find the abrupt shifts in style jarring, especially when transitioning from the aggressive rock of “Fall on You” to the laid-back blues of “Ain’t No Use.” ### **Production** The production on *Moby Grape*, handled by David Rubinson, is a key element in capturing the band’s vibrant and multifaceted sound. Rubinson’s approach emphasizes clarity and balance, ensuring that each instrument is given space to breathe while maintaining a cohesive mix. This is particularly noticeable in tracks like “Omaha” and “Hey Grandma,” where the multi-layered guitar parts are distinct and separated, avoiding the muddiness that could easily occur with such dense arrangements. The album was recorded in a relatively short span of time, which gives it a sense of immediacy and spontaneity. This works well for the more energetic, garage rock-oriented songs, where the rawness of the production adds to their charm. For example, “Fall on You” captures the band’s live energy and dynamic interplay, making it sound urgent and vital. That said, the production is not without its flaws. There are moments where the mix feels uneven, such as in "Naked, If I Want To," where the vocals feel slightly buried under the instrumentation. Additionally, some of the more experimental choices, like the reversed tape effects in “Indifference,” might feel dated to modern listeners. The overall sound quality, while good for its time, lacks the polish that contemporary production techniques could have provided. ### **Themes** Thematically, *Moby Grape* touches on a variety of subjects, reflecting the diversity of its musical influences and lyrical content. At its core, the album captures the spirit of 1967—a year marked by social change, experimentation, and a quest for freedom. Songs like “Hey Grandma” and “Omaha” represent the youthful rebellion and carefree attitude of the counterculture. The lyrics are less concerned with political or social commentary and more focused on celebrating life, love, and personal freedom. This celebration of the here-and-now is contrasted with more reflective tracks like “8:05” and “Someday,” which explore themes of loss, longing, and hope. There is also a recurring motif of duality throughout the album. Songs like “Lazy Me” juxtapose introspective lyrics with upbeat, almost cheerful music, creating an ironic contrast that speaks to the complexities of the human experience. Similarly, "Changes" hints at both personal transformation and the broader societal shifts of the era. However, the album lacks a unified theme or concept, which might be seen as a drawback. While the diversity of styles and subjects can be refreshing, it can also feel unfocused at times. The lack of a coherent thematic thread might make the album feel less like a cohesive statement and more like a collection of disparate songs. ### **Influence** *Moby Grape* had a significant impact on both its contemporaries and future generations of musicians. The album’s innovative blend of genres—melding rock, folk, blues, and country—paved the way for future bands to explore similarly eclectic approaches. The three-guitar attack, in particular, influenced countless bands, from the Allman Brothers Band to the Byrds, and more recently, groups like Wilco and The Black Keys. Despite its artistic achievements, the album was initially overshadowed by a disastrous promotional campaign by Columbia Records, which released five singles simultaneously. This move confused radio stations and hurt the album's commercial potential. However, over time, *Moby Grape* has garnered a cult following and is frequently cited as one of the greatest debut albums of all time. The album’s influence extends beyond the music itself. Its mixture of raw energy, musical sophistication, and stylistic diversity can be seen as a precursor to the genre-blending tendencies of later movements like punk, indie rock, and alternative rock. Bands from the 1970s through the 2000s have drawn inspiration from Moby Grape’s fearless experimentation and genre-defying spirit. ### **Pros and Cons** **Pros:** 1. **Musical Diversity:** The album’s eclectic blend of rock, folk, blues, and country makes it a rich listening experience, showcasing the band’s versatility and range. 2. **Innovative Arrangements:** The three-guitar lineup and tight vocal harmonies create a unique sound that sets the band apart from its contemporaries. 3. **Energetic Performance:** The raw, vibrant energy of the band’s performances, particularly on tracks like “Omaha” and “Hey Grandma,” captures the excitement of the San Francisco music scene. 4. **Emotional Depth:** Songs like “8:05” and “Sitting by the Window” offer a contrasting, introspective side that adds emotional depth to the album. 5. **Influence and Legacy:** The album’s influence on later musicians and genres is undeniable, cementing its status as a classic of the psychedelic rock era. **Cons:** 1. **Lack of Cohesion:** The diversity of styles can sometimes feel scattered, making the album seem less like a cohesive statement and more like a collection of songs. 2. **Inconsistent Production Quality:** While the production captures the band’s energy, it can feel uneven at times, with some tracks sounding muddy or dated. 3. **Overwhelming Release Strategy:** The simultaneous release of five singles diluted the impact of the album, contributing to its initial commercial underperformance. 4. **Occasional Lyrical Weakness:** Some lyrics, particularly on tracks like "Ain’t No Use," can feel underdeveloped or lack the poetic depth found in the work of their contemporaries. 5. **Unrefined Experimentation:** Some of the more experimental moments, like the tape effects in “Indifference,” might not resonate with all listeners and can feel dated. ### **Conclusion** *Moby Grape* by Moby Grape remains a landmark of 1960s rock music, celebrated for its fearless innovation and eclectic mix of styles. While it may have suffered from an uneven production quality and a lack of thematic cohesion, the album’s strengths in musical diversity, energetic performance, and emotional depth far outweigh its weaknesses. Its influence is far-reaching, resonating through decades of rock music and beyond, making it an essential listen for fans of the genre and a valuable historical document of the psychedelic era.
What a delightful album, short and sweet with a great mix of cutting rock and roll, acoustic folk, CS&N-esc harmonies and some Beatles influenced guitar leads. The whole album comes in under 30 minutes and is worth a few plays. Since it's so short, there's no reason to point out specific songs, just give the whole thing a spin. Fun tidbit about this album, it came out only 3 months after The Grateful Dead's debut and out performed it on the charts. Both bands originate from San Francisco and come from the same music scene. As mentioned by others, it's not available on Spotify but you can find the whole album on YouTube.
Interesting - feels a lot like the Dead with a Jam Band vibe and some really good harmonies. I had never heard this before!
No complaints with this one. Easy listening, fun, and groovy. 4/5 Highlights: Hey Grandma Come in the Morning Omaha Ain’t No Use
3.75
This album really caught me by surprise. Really great vocals, high quality recordings, and a unique sound for the time while also staying pretty catchy/accessible. The Spotify version isn't the correct version, I had to find it on YouTube. Really solid listen that I'll come back to some day. 4/5
spotify is missing several songs off of this album but it is very up my alley so I will go back and listen to the rest elsewhere.
Damn fine 60s era folk/acid rock to bring you back to a time and place you wish you could dream of.
hyvää musiikkia... Huomaa.. albumidta en voi sanoa mitään spotify ei tykkää albumeista.. Otetaan org laulut ppis laitetaan xtra pelleilyö mukaan..
Solide album rock-folk-psychédélique, rien vraiment à redire, en plus il est court
To be explore a little bit more, first time listening to it. Good!
Solid 60-luvun rokkiplatta!
Standouts: Mr. Blues, Indifference, Sweet Ride Lyrics/Vocals: 4/5 Instrumentals: 5/5- I love this style of blues-y 60s rock Vibes: 4/5 Overall: 4/5
Solid 60’s rock. Really enjoyable
It's another album that I find enjoyable, but I wonder what it brings to the table that was not already served.
very good album, definitely gonna pick it up on vinyl
I had never heard of Moby Grape, but I liked this..
Some impressive elements here, some Crosbys, stills and Nash type harmony rock. The guitarsd are ripping some blues licks and the tempo creeps into some Doors type rhythm. I think it hits some lulls here and there, but no doubt a solid period piece.
very interesting album, did give me vibes of the Beach Boys and Beatles, would like to listen some more.
This was a super short album (even though it says it has bonus tracks!) and I think it’s a great one. Reminds me of so many other classic rock albums I listened to growing up but I’m not sure if I’d heard any of these songs or not.
Moby Grape by Moby Grape is Moby Great
Moby Grape is an impressive and enjoyable album that masterfully blends rock, blues, folk, and country genres. The energetic opener Hey Grandma sets a vibrant tone for the album, followed by a series of strong tracks showcasing the band's versatility. Each member’s contributions shine, with standout moments like the harmonies on Omaha and the poignant 8:05. The musicianship is consistently high, and the interplay between instruments is a joy to listen to. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 5 STAND OUT TRACK - Mr. Blues
A bit dated but OK
perfect mix of the kinda music I like, a summer listen
Had never heard of Moby Grape before this and then ended uo hearing them on The Spectrum on SiriusXM later that day. Weird coincidence but loved them and will listen to more!
I like their slightly overdriven, crunchy guitar and bass sound. I hear the resemblance to the Grateful Dead’s sound. They can do rock (Hoochie and Trucking Man), folk (It’s A Beautiful Day Today and If You Can’t Learn From My Mistakes), and psychedelic-ish (Ooh Mama Ooh) songs. This is a forgotten gem from the late 60s psychedelic scene. I’ve never heard of Moby Grape until now and I wish I had. The story of their band is a sad one of lost potential…too much LSD and a shady manager. They had five members who could write and sing. What a shame.
Never heard of this band before - really enjoyed it. They didn't cling too closely to the hippy sound of the day
Did not expect to like a group called moby grape… probably the reason they didnt take off tbh. But they make some nice sounding music.
Day123 - probably like a lot of people i’ve never heard of moby grape. i’m sure there’s an interesting history behind this band cause the music is pretty good and i bet they influenced many others
I’d lien to hang out with these guys.
This was a great listen! I can’t believe these guys only have 67K monthly listeners on Spotify.
Really nice, fast, liked the different vocalists on some of the tracks, didn't overstay its welcome. Great album over all, very 60's.
Op Spotify missen 4 nummers, maar dat overleven we wel denk ik. Ik heb Omaha wel even op Youtube erbij gepakt omdat die specifiek genoemd wordt in de Wiki. Blues, vleugje country, vleugje rock 'n roll, een tikkie psychedelisch. Je ruikt bijna de trekdrop die je in die tijd nog voor een cent per stuk kon halen. Toen roken nog gezond was. Doet me denken aan Creedence Clearwater Revival. Weinig mis mee, 4 sterren.
I had never heard of Moby Grape and I had alto find the album on YouTube, but was very pleasantly surprised by what I thought would be another annoying psychedelic band from the 60s. Very nice stuff here and it’s a shame they didn’t really “make” it.
4 spacey stars.
Wow streaming services really messed this one up. PSA- the best songs are missing. Seek out Hey Grandma and particularly Omaha. Omaha is an absolute classic. The Best of album has most of these songs in a slightly different order, but still manages to miss Sitting by the Window off for some reason. It's not hard people, they hardly released anything! Great sunshine beat combo. Nothing not to like. Deservedly had a resurgence of critical attention in the early 00s from Mojo readers and I assume some reissues.
Verrukkelijk
first listen really cool vibes
I really liked it, despite it being not fully there.
I liked this and am also interested in the full version.
Moby Grape is a very solid late 60’s San Francisco rock album that is a great time capsule of an important moment in rock music and American culture. It reminds me of how the Grateful Dead sounded on their live albums from the same time period. It sounds a bit raw, but that’s only a bad thing if you let it be a bad thing - I think it enhances the record in this case. There’s some great guitar work here and the vocals are solid. It’s a vibe more than a statement, and I bet seeing Moby Grape live in ‘67-‘69 was a blast. Good stuff.
4/5
You can really sense the time and place in this recording. Fuzzy guitars, creative freedom, and joy. The sound of Jefferson Airplane and The Grateful Dead sprung from the same soil. Love the energy
They sound like the love child of CSNY and Jimi Hendrix. The harmonies are gorgeous and you can hear the Purple Haze guitar riff in Sweet Ride. Went down a rabbit hole to learn that two of the band members went insane from LSD and that they were exploited by a greedy manager. Someone should make a movie out of this band's short life.
8/10 normally I’d give a psych rock album a higher rating but idk, this was honestly a little subpar ngl
I found this to be better than I was expecting. A little soft rock, folk and country inspired. Mr. Blues, 8:05 and Aint No Use and Changes stuck out to me in particular. never hearing of Moby Grape before I wouldnt mind hearing more.
It’s a Beautiful Day Today for some Soul Stew if you’re Going Nowhere and want to give this a listen.
Fun sound. I wish more of this album had been available.
Moby Grape is soooo groovy. I dig it. No Moby Grape on spotify?! damn. breaking my heart. :(
Rockin’ and groovy!
Amazing guitar tones and exemplary of the best of analog mixing days. SF psych rock, heavy on the rock.
Impressed, seems before it's time in a lot of ways. Catchy stuff!
Sounds of the times. Love it.
Did not expect to have so much fun with this one
Featuring the guy with the washboard flipping you off on the album cover. This was a bit of a flash in the pan. The band's grassroots success was seemingly sabotaged by their label and the ensuing press reception. Regardless, these fellas were primo performers in their time. This comes through on the record and I'm consistently impressed by their sharp songwriting, flowing melodies, and lovely harmonies. Perhaps one of the best bands from around this time. Moby Grape.
Psychedelic Rock from 1967. Never heard of Moby Grape before. Standouts: 8:05, Sitting By The Window, Someday, Mr. Blues, Fall On You, Naked if I Want to, Ain't No Use, 3.75
Country rock. Un 4.
Some lyrics were a bit bizarre but enjoyed their music. Nice to hear the stereo separation in some of the songs. One of the things I miss in much of today’s modern music.
Haven't listened to these folks before, but this sounds very much of a piece with "Surrealistic Pillow" and "Cheap Thrills" - competently done summer of love San Francisco psychedelia! I probably need to give it more listens to reach peak affection, but yeah - a nice discovery! Fave tracks - "Ain't No Use", "Lazy Me" and "Indifference" - need more listens though....
Rather inconsistent psychedelic countryrock album, to which I do not listen too often, but when it is good it is really good.
Sounds fresh, versatile and entertaining.
Lässt sich gut hören, Songs wirken eher positiv.
Never heard of these guys before but was a quick fun album
60s bluesy rock with a pinch of country and psych influence Very enjoyable all throughout!
a decent album of 60s rock/psychedelic. Good songs but I don’t know that any particular one really stuck with me. Very reminiscent of the Grateful Dead at some points
I feel like they were pretty good. Good guitar sound, pretty good music. Singing was pretty good. No complaints really, easy to listen to while working. Nothing really stood out, but more in a good way. Feel like it was better than Fear and Whiskey - Mekons. Good fingerpicking I'm pretty sure. It has that great mix between folk, rock, and country. It hits the spot for me. It maybe would be 5 stars if I was more familiar with it or really focused on listening.
That was shockingly great. I can’t believe an album this good has 1/3 of its songs unavailable on Spotify. That’s usually a bad sign for me, that this is probably not going to be a good time. And the average rating didn’t seem super promising either. But I am so pleasantly surprised. Typically with these things, I get a new album available around 12:45 in the morning. So I’ll usually listen to a song or two, and then start over and listen to the whole thing after I wake up. But after listening to Hey Grandma, I was instantly hooked. I just had to keep going, and I don’t regret it. So many great songs on this album. I’m not sure what it is, but something about the album just clicked with me. I loved almost every song here. Looking into the band’s history, what they went through is tragic. Honestly, as others have said already, I think they could’ve been so much more. They could've been on the same level as the Beatles, the Stones, all the big rock bands of the time. If only everything hadn’t gone wrong. That probably has something to do with why so many of their songs are hard to find on Spotify, or just not there at all in the case of Someday and Sitting by the Window. I’ve gone on for so long, and I’ve really just been rambling on about how much I love this album. So I’ll stop here. I hadn’t heard of this group before today, but they’re getting a surprisingly high score from me. 8.5/10 Top 5: 1. Someday 2. Hey Grandma 3. Fall On You 4. Indifference 5. 8:05
Had to cobble together from various sources, but liked this a lot more than expected
Listened on YouTube. Good old late '60s psychedelic rock.
enjoyed this way more than i thought i was going to. most songs weren’t able to be listened to on spotify so i had to listen on youtube and that’s never a great start. cool monkees-esque vibes throughout though.
Great album. Changed my mind about white people and the 60s
Explosive right out of the gate, this album brims with raw energy. I can hear a lot of Rubber Soul/Revolver influence in this album tempered by a good county/blues base. This reminds me of early Grateful Dead though this album is more cohesive. The vocal delivery is energetic and often features simple but effective harmonies. I can see why this album is influential and though Moby Grape seems to have an edge on the San Francisco psychadelic scene, they are very much a band of their time.
Good record! But somehow I could only listen to a few tracks. Therefore only 4 stars. Too bad, I really wanted to listen to the rest of it.
Good album, couldn't find the whole thing on Apple music, had to listen from the youtubes
27th September 2023 Listened the day after with Andy visiting. From memory it was great, rock and roll with a blues tinge.
Já, vitiði, þetta er flott Friscorock. Renndi tvisvar og fannst þetta fjör áheyrilegt fjör og stundum meira að segja fallegt. Tæpur fjarki.
September 13, 2023: difficulty in finding this album, listened to Motomami by Rosalia & Blond by Frank Ocean today September 16, 2023 (whole thing is on YouTube for free? well then) Enjoying this very much. Sure some of the songs feel unfinished, but I wasn't prepared for the intensity & exuberance of the performances. Especially since I was expecting a snoozy country-fried record. Among the better examples of 60s psychedelia in my eyes 4* at least HL: "8:05", "Come in the Morning", "Omaha", "Sitting by the Window", "Lazy Me"
A surprisingly quality record given the name and cover. A healthy mix of campfire classics and late sixties youthful rebellion. Hints of something bigger to come in this, not sure that was realised.
Similar to early Who. Enjoyable for exactly what it is.
Sounds like either the Who or The Beatles depending on the song.
Very unknown band, never heard of them or any of their songs, i'm a big fan of the psychedelic era and 1967 is probably the prime of rock music and i think we could include this album with the other great album of the era. altough not as great, it is still a pretty good reccord, with psychdelic folk similar to the byrds I dont know why but not all song on the album are available on spotify so i have not listen to the full album When we think of the San Fransisco sound we shoul think of them.
Great album from a band I’ve never heard of! Love hearing 4 different vocalists - loved “Lazy me” and “8:05”
- Why are only the bonus tracks on Spotify, L - Appreciate the short length - Great classic rock vibes, really enjoy this
4.4 - This record is a firecracker! First, there are 2-3 riffing guitar lines, each exceptional (see the end of "Someday" and how they effortlessly turn this ballad into a jazz jam). Second, the songs are full of melodic surprises and sophisticated chord structures (see "8:05"). Third, these guys can sing! Each song rests on a strong backbone of vocal harmonies that rival more well-known bands like the Beach Boys or the Mamas & the Papas. Other standouts: wall-to-wall guitars on "Omaha", goofy side-note track "Naked, If I Want To."
Like The Byrds with more balls.
a real distillation of 60s psychedelia, but you can tell how this influenced a lot of the 70s, especially the west coast scene. not a perfect album, but innovative and listenable.
Really enjoyed this, pretty classic stuff from the SF psychedelic scene. Was happy to dig in about the band and learn more about who they influenced (Robert Plant!) Seems a shame they didn't see more success than they did, or get paid what they should have.
I thought I would hate this, because I've always hated this band's name, but this was done decent 60s rock
Made the fateful decision to give this a third spin, despite being sure after the first two that it was nothing special and that there are plenty of better 60s guitar albums on the list. I mean, there are, but I concede that this one deserves its place too. I actually really like it now - these guys knew their way around a well-crafted tune. 3.5 - and rounding up as a 'happy to be proven wrong' bonus!
4½
Hey, Grandma, Mr. Blues, Fall on You, 8:05, Come in the Morning (best song), Omaha, Someday, Ain’t No Use, Sitting By the Window, Changes (also the best song), Lazy Me and Indifference. Amazing instruments and vocals. This is the god-tier decade of music. This needs to be known more and I did need to hear this. 9/10
I was noting the songs I enjoyed and realized it was most of the album.
Overall good vibes
I'm unfamiliar with Moby Grape but the name and cover strikes me as practically a parody of 1967. But, taking a listen, this is pretty much I like about rock and roll from this era. Lively tunes, pretty harmonies, simple straightforward relatable ideas lyrically, and in this case, great guitar playing and a great lead voice. Not especially groundbreaking, but a solid example of music from this era. I'm happy to have heard it and I think it does belong on this list. 4.5
I’m not a fan of psychedelia, but that rocked. It’s a shame Moby Grape gets overshadowed by other Haight-Ashbury groups. Hey Grandma and Omaha blasted me out of my chair.
Beautiful album, the lead and group vocals steal the show. Really wish most of this album wasn't missing from Spotify.
Good jangle
bluuuues
Couldn't find the whole album on Tidal, but I was pretty impressed with what I heard. I've never thought of myself as a big psychedelic rock fan, but this was good. As was The Zombies. And the Mamas and the Papas. Maybe I just don't like the Grateful Dead. Anyway, shame this band didn't have more success due to what sounds like mismanagement.
6/12, 50%
Solid old rock in roll.
A terrific album, charismatic band and some enjoyable grooves. Curious they aren't better known and I am pleased to be introduced to them. That is what this project is about.
I loved the guitar in “8:05”. There was something so calming about the soft sound of the strings, and the harmonies were so easy to listen to. The reference to Frère Jacques in ‘Lazy me’ was jokes. I respect that.
Yeah, great stuff. Well-crafted songs and arrangements, bristling with energy and great performances. Plus, there's not a wasted note. This would be a 5 except I don't love their voices.
At the time of this review, the album was not available in its entirety anywhere so there was a bit of hopping around trying to find singles. Unfortunately, that led to a bit of uncertainty about the album itself, but as for the band, it is a mystery to how they have managed to remain under the radar for this listener. Sure, bands of the 60s, particularly the British ones, hogged much of the attention, but this band certainly held their own. Melodic, intentional vocals, the band hits all of the professional musician stereotypes, and for what could be gleaned puts out really good music.
This actually goes super hard, would absolutely listen again
A quasi-psychedelic, jam, acid glimpse into the late 60s. 4/5.
It’s good but I felt it gotten a little bit more boring towards the end and I’m not too sure how much I would want to replay it still great and I would recommend 4/5
Nice sound! Nice changes, it was a good experience. Glad I searched for the full version in YT as it is incomplete in both Apple and Spotify
Pretty solid
Not the sound I imagined from the album cover but I love it. How have I never heard them before? They are seriously up my alley. Also the song title "Naked, If I Want to" - amazing
Actually very into this. Wish it existed on Spotify so I could actually save some of the songs. Couldn't do standouts because the recording I used wasn't broken up into tracks, but trust me, I liked it.
This was solid good ol' blues
Kinks early beatles vibes enjoyed
Decent
The songs that are on Spotify are great
Pretty alright
I really really liked this album but unfortunately, it wasn't on Spotify so it loses points for that. It was just a really good-sounding 60s rock album that I probably won't ever listen to again since it's not on my main avenue of music consumption.
Good rock, feels like I should have heard of them before.
Good ol fashion R&R. Really dig that sound.
Great classic rock
Why are messing with my albums Spotify. Overall pretty fun and weird. Weird in the best way but still odd.
Psychedelic rock, 1967. Very interesting album by such an underrated band. Maybe not one of the best 10 record of the best year in the history of rock music, but definitely not really far from them. The guitar is the most satisfying part on this great project.
Psychodelic rock from the height of psychodelia. One of the best of it's kind but no real stand out moments. Just consistent musicianship throughout. (Again Spotify does not have the whole album available - Youtube does)
Overall pretty fun and weird. Weird in the best way but still odd.
Schön rockig nicht zu psychedelisch
an enjoyable listen, albeit definitely an album of its time. The distinctive west coast/psychedlia vibe shares something with the likes of the Grateful Dead and Spirit. Some lovely catchy numbers, especially Looper.
A maddening album to write about, as it manages to be exactly good enough to warrant 4 stars, and so it's almost impossible to get traction with your prose when discussing it. There are no faults on the album to a fault, and as such it just lacks that touch of character to make it a true classic. Moby Grape possess a reputation among two particular tribes of music snob. Firstly, they appeal to those who wish they were acid causalties in the Summer of Love, as they love the idea of peace and love and especially free love; that last category makes up about 99% of their yearning for the hippy ideal. Secondly, they appeal to your standard Pitchfork reader who will lecture you on how this album is better than Forever Changes, which is better than Fifth Dimension, which is better than Electric Music for the Mind and Body, which is better than Surrealistic Pillow, which is better than The Doors, despite them never having sat down and listened to any of those, all the while living in pitiful terror over the discovery that their favourite film is actually Frozen. So, the album accidentally suffers from the reputation of its advocates being mild cases of douchebag. But why this audience? Well, Moby Grape go down as one of the most legendary lost bands of the 60s, one of the most promising acts crippled by incompetent label bureaucrats, pernicious management, internecine tumults, personal catastrophes and perennial bad luck. Their debut album Moby Grape, therefore, has to be a masterwork to redeem the sorry tale of Moby Grape. And in truth, it's a very good album. It's a very good collection of very good songs. And that's it. My opinion of the album over time is something I find curious. Learning of this album's notoriety, I first tried it about ten years ago, and I was distinctly underwhelmed. It lacked the spark of several of those 60s Californian albums I listed earlier, a few of which I consider masterpieces. Over the last decade, I've given it a few more chances, and I have grown much more of an appreciation for it. But my first reaction, I believe, captured a sad but undeniable truth of this album: it's alright, not great. One can't find a flaw in the playing or the production, but one also can't find a riff or a holler that truly stirs up the blood. It's worth exactly 4 stars, which somehow feels heartbreaking. That said, one offshoot of Moby Grape really does warrant all the accolades: Oar, the sole solo album by deeply troubled bandmember Alexander "Skip" Spence. But that's a different album on the list.
Country rock. Un 4.
Une énergie appréciable