If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears

Most 60's groups had three choices: copy the beatles, copy the beach boys, or sexually abuse minors. These guys changed the game and did all three- Four stars!

“If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears” by The Mamas and the Papas (1966) Any album that contains three megahits (‘Monday, Monday”, “Go Where You Wanna Go”, and “California Dreamin’”) is worth a serious listen. And after 55 years, “Monday, Monday” and “California Dreamin’” still hold their own as superlatively listenable songs, evoking reverie and wistfulness in the hearts those who listen to them, even if they’ve never heard them before. Stepping back and reviewing the entire album, it is clear why this is the case. The four members of this singing quartet had backgrounds in the folk vocal ensemble revival of the early 1960s (Journeymen, Mugwumps, Big 3), which singer/songwriter John Phillips harnessed into a powerful blend. It goes way beyond “Hootenanny” and “Shindig!” His arrangements were inspired. Some of the flaws are indicative of the age—unfortunate static in the right channel on the intro to “Monday, Monday”; too much separation in the stereo mix; gimmicky and dated syncopation; limited instrumental colorings; the improper use of the apostrophe on the cover text (okay, that’s a bit picky). But there are no songs on this record that are truly ‘clunkers’. John Phillips has superb arranging skills. Harmony. Harmony. Harmony. A number of folk purists might have been disappointed to hear jazz chords in the vocals, but these are probably the same people who turned against Bob Dylan when he went electric at the July 1965 Newport Folk Festival. In fact, The Mamas and the Papas were propelling popular music in the direction it was destined to go, and commercial folk was dying. The forward-looking eclecticism of this record is part of its genius. Vocal performances on the album are legendary. The unison pairings (J. Phillips/Doherty and Elliot/M. Phillips) are very tight, and the slightly rapid vibrato of all four singers, while too sparingly utilized, is remarkably synchronized. Denny Doherty has fine voice, singing lead on both “Monday, Monday” and “California Dreamin’”. But here he lacks a soulful embrace of the meaning of what he was singing. He famously said of “Monday, Monday” that “it was a dumb fuckin’ song about a day of the week.” Boy, did he miss the point. Michelle Phillips brings a sweet (albeit not powerful) soprano to the blend. But the star vocalist in this quartet is, of course, Cass Elliot. At home as a contralto, she has great range and power that place her as one of the greatest female vocalists in pop/rock history. I suspect that the stereo mix on the album was deliberately intended to be dramatically different from the mono mix of the 45 rpm single and AM radio airplay. In any case, a serious listener today needs to studiously ignore the exaggerated separation. It’s altogether a fine work of art, standing as a monument to the soul of the sixties. 4/5

Great music, awful band/album name. This is their debut, and it features their two most enduring hits. Both "Monday, Monday" and "California Dreamin" are certified bangers. "California Dreamin" will always remind me of Chungking Express. Aside from these two songs, I enjoyed the rest but not much stood out to me. Their whole bit is the layered vocal harmonies, and that alone isn't enough to carry an album. But there's a nice variety to the songs, and I like how the lead vocalist would change for different songs. I would definitely put this over one or both of the Kinks albums we've heard from the same era, but not too much higher honestly. On a positive note, they sound like Scooby-Doo music to me. Favorite tracks: California Dreamin, Monday Monday, Somebody Groovy, You Baby. Album art: A funny picture to be sure. It almost seems like it would be a cheesy comedy album. I don't know much about the band's composition, but I appreciate that the men and women are sharing the spotlight. 4/5

Even if every song on the album sucked, except for California dreamin, it’d still be a 3 because that song slaps so hard. Good album. Would listen again.

Too LA faux hippie for my SF tastes. The only boring act at Monterey, but kudos for putting it together. Is this going to be 1001 white people? Just checking.

Cass was in love with Denny. But Denny was in love with Michelle. And Michelle was married to John. As for John… well you can look him up yourself but he was a seriously troubled individual… Yet despite - or because of? - these tensions (I Saw Her Again was written after the discovery of Denny and Michelle’s affair) the quartet made some exquisite sounding records many of which feature here. Despite the gorgeous four part harmonies and seeming uplifting music, the lyrics often hint at something darker - California Dreamin’ sounds like summer but is really a man in a freezing church thinking of leaving his partner - adding layers of depth and nuance. At times the group fall back on perfectly serviceable if a little underwhelming covers of recent soul and pop hits but really hit their stride with their own punchy compositions - Monday, Monday, Go Where You Wanna Go and Straight Shooter are perfect sixties tracks. Their career was astonishingly brief, recording and performing together for just four years, but left a catalogue of era defining music. As for whether they made a classic album during that time - probably not and this isn’t one - but it’s pretty damn good. Sit back and feel the vibe.

bruh i’m feeling the counterculture

Textured classics

Plays like a greatest hits. There’s not a bad track.

This is way more anodyne than I thought it would be based on my prior knowledge of California Dreamin' and even Monday, Monday. I Call Your Name sounds like an ad for toothpaste. Spanish Harlem gets rid of whatever minimal amount of edge or soul Ben E. King's version had, and leaves us with something that sounds like Up with People or a recording of a glee club from Mayberry.

*insert gif of Villanelle going “BORING” here*

Sing-songy, lite folk/pop, I guess this was the safe bet for office parties in the 60s if you weren't cool enough for Hendrix.

Seemed a little conservative at the start for a mid-late 60s album. Got some beach boys vibes to it. Love how a lot of the songs have harmonies based on vocals.

Two songs for eternity, a handful of covers and some likeable period pieces. S, would you agree this is a “skip to the greatest hits” band?

Rock sesentero. Dos megahits absolutos. Un 5, claro.

Another new one, and a pleasant listen overall. The harmonies were great, and it had that perfect mid-60s folk-tinged rock sound that I was hoping to hear. It's like if Jefferson Airplane and Peter, Paul and Mary got together to make an album without trying to sound too much like one or the other.

Vous l'avez probablement noté dans un coin de votre feuille ou de votre document Word mais j'étais bel et bien en train de ratisser les feuilles mortes du jardin de ma famille d'accueil lorsque j'écoutais cet album. Vous savez aussi que Robert a fixé à aujourd'hui la date limite à laquelle je dois écrire la totalité de mes critiques d'albums générés et ainsi rattraper le retard que j'avais accumulé. En cas de non respect de ce délai, il était prévu que Norbert Episode me rende visite (vous avez fait sa connaissance dans mes reviews de Black Sabbath, d'Animal Collective et de Kiss). Et justement, alors que je ratissais les feuilles du jardin, il m'arrivait d'apercevoir les phares d'une voiture roder autour de la maison. Je brandissais de temps en temps mon enceinte JBL pour signaler que j'allais être à jour d'une minute à l'autre. Au bout de quelques heures, les phares en question arrêtèrent de passer et me voilà désormais parfaitement à la page et disposé à recevoir le prochain album.

Another album that for me at first was difficult to rate on merit vs nostalgia. My parents had this album from the time I was born so putting it on was a bit of a personal time machine :) - but also the songs at first play (in decades) have such an overly sweet and dated sound to them that I found myself a little bored. However I did play it again last night through headphones and more-fully appreciated how awesome those vocal harmonies are. Since the mix was probably done on an old 4 track for most songs the 3 or 4 part harmonies are exclusively in the left-channel which makes them blend so perfectly I often can't even figure out how they create those parts. Also when you start listening to the lyrics they're nowhere near as "sweet" as maybe they wanted you to think :D - these guys may have had as much interpersonal drama as Fleetwood Mac did nearly a decade later. The two all-time music classics of "Monday Monday" and "California Dreamin" are so ubiquitous (commercials, tv shows, etc) and justifiably so but "Go Where You Wanna Go" and "Straight Shooter" are every bit as catchy. Gotta give this its proper due even if it's not something I'd ordinarily listen to - these are perfectly constructed pop songs absolutely "of the time" but with melodies (and harmonies) this good it's a keeper. 8/10 4 stars

I had already listened to "California Dreamin'" in movies/tv shows but I never looked it up to see by which artist it was. It was an okay album.

6/12 songs added to playlist Best song: You Baby

The big hits are great, some good tunes and some stinkers. I l aways listen to the greatest hits and I see why.

Highly produced folk for the masses, showing the musicality of the movement without all of that thought provoking lyrical burden. Listen to Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, and Woody Guthrie if you really want to hear the folk music you need to hear before you die.

The toilet, how scandalous! Singles still bang! Straight Shooter sounds familiar to me but I don't think I've ever heard it, I think this song is about drugs or woman! Got a Feelin is NOT a cover of the BEP song! I call your name is a little country...not much rock and roll. Lifeless cover of Do You Wanna Dance, or it's the original? Go where you whatever this is too repetitive. Spanish Harlem, banger of a song, trash version! Somebody Groovy... fucking seriously, groovy...Hey Girl, come fuck with me not that asshole, mans going for it! You Baby, another pimp anthem, this dude is trying!

This album is the worst thing Papa John Phillips ever did

I can't vibe to these guys. California Dreamin' is cool though.

Boring

I'm glad that society grew out this type of music.

California Dreaming, one of my favourites of all time!

Another amazing debut, with killer songs on repeat.

'And I pretend to pray.' Whatever the '60s were really about, this captures that sensibility, one that we've all grown accustomed to have nostalgia for, tho many of us were never actually there. One of the great vocal records of all time, w/ Phillips and Elliot leading a sweet and soulful charge, it no less boasts instrumental surreality and a hustling, bustling rhythm. From Spanish Harlem to L.A., you get the sense that the moms and dads may've dug this as much as the rebellious, new-dimension-seeking kids. In other words, the 'in crowd' is what you make it - whether you're dreamin' or you retrospect and wear your influences on your sleeve. However it is, 'I need somebody groovy.' My fill of grooviness is more than satisfied w/ this one.

Great early example of acoustic and harmonies blended together. Nice.

many have essentially said that california dreamin is this record's greatest strength but the actual greatest strength is the only one the album (and band) rly needs, which is that Their Voices Sound Amazing Together. it would take more and more dedicated listens to rly pick out and remember the individual songs but the wall of the band's harmonies is an ecstatic, comforting experience no matter what the material is. and the material is rly good anyway....extremely pleasurable, occasionally perfect sunny melodic 60s pop that just sounds absolutely incredible. a record so warm it could keep u alive in the arctic all by itself

This album rocks, had fun looking up the lore of the band while listening as well

I know and love this album cover, they're all cramped into that bathtub and it's awfully quaint. I have enjoyed "California Dreamin'" since 3rd grade when our school made us sing it in front of our parents, which is actually sort of confusing because it's not a very cheery song for a bunch of children to be singing. VERY good, though. Like, in my top 100 songs and probably top 3 folk-rock songs ever (for me, at least, with my limited repertoire). I look forward to listening to the whole album through -- I think I have before, but not closely enough to remember anything. Very, very pleasant to listen to, but I'd expect no less. I liked Monday, Monday, which is apparently the group's only Billboard #1 hit, but I hear it much less than California Dreamin', so I don't know. I do think I've heard it before, and it was very nice, but not quite as excellent and iconic as California Dreamin', but I'm sure I'm biased. Straight Shooter was nice and perhaps a little edgier than I'd expect. I mean, it was no punk-rock, but even hearing the word "shoot" was like... ok, what are you shooting? At the end of the day, they're supposedly a counterculture band so I guess they're not supposed to be totally clean, and California Dreamin' is kind of edgy, too... But it was a great song. A highlight, I think. Very cool, city-slicker sorta vibe that could fit well into an action movie soundtrack or whatever. Got a Feelin' was beautiful but not super remarkable. ALL these songs are about to go on my oatmeal playlist, and I'll get to know it better then. I Call Your Name is nice and soulful, very buttoned up and girl/boy or mama/papa next door kinda vibe. Very sweet and just nice to listen to. Do You Wanna Dance has a nice, rhythmic sorta start to it and almost tricks me into thinking it's a song by the Smiths or something with it's sorta melancholy guitar before it eventually becomes another sappy, lovely prom night ballad. That's no critique, though. It's lovely, of course. It's groovy. It's good. Doesn't stand out, but it's hard to do that in such an awesome collection of songs. Go Where You Wanna Go brings a nice grin to my face. It's a nice, gentle ... hedonistic ... ballad? Not totally morally upstanding by the standards of the sixties or by today's: "a girl like me can't love just one man". I mean, good for you, Michelle Phillips. The genius annotations are telling me that she cheated on John Phillips with Denny Doherty. Drama! Kinda fun. And, what I've been waiting for, California Dreamin'. That little riff at the beginning is so great. I don't know what instrument that is... guitar, I guess? But it's addictive. And beautiful. That call and response is, too. And followed up with that solo verse backed up by the rest of the band... just sooooo great. For sorta the first time in the album, he gets a little messy with the vocals. He's desperate, disillusioned, exasperated with the gray skies and the brown leaves. Then there's this great flute solo, I think, which is unique and awesome and I love it. Can't get enough. I love California. Spanish Harlem is nice and a little island-y. Those nice latin instruments really make it just that much better. I don't know how I feel about the lyrics. It's about saving a latina baddie and growing her in your white American garden? I might be too woke -- it's really, really nice. Not my favorite, but certainly a standout. Somebody Groovy is a break from the sentimentality of "Spanish Harlem". Back to that Straight Shooter, maybe Go Where You Wanna Go kinda vibe, which is cool and modern and oh my god I'm liking this little guitar (?) solo a LOT! It's just really great. I hate to say this is a stand-out, too, but I might have to. I wish I was more commonly in the mood for this kind of music. Usually I'm hunting for depressing angry stuff, but this is just dandy! The kind of music that makes me wanna use the word "dandy"! Ok, at this point in the queue, I slipped in "Girls and Boys" by Blur. What can I say? Great song and I suspect that this album will show up at some point in this project. Hot, sexy, whatever. Sooooo good. And he's so aggressively British. Guhls who ah bouys who lyke bouys to be guhls... GOD this song is SO fucking good dude ohhhh my god so glad I put this in. Mamas and the Papas are great, too, but just not in this pulsating clubby way. I need a break from all the sweetness. And we're back to our regularly scheduled programing with Hey Girl, which is also really nice. What's there to be said? "He's only looking to score" or whatever was sorta funny. Off-beat. You, Baby is catchy and has a pleasant refrain going on near the end. Very poppy. Finally, The "In" Crowd is another one of the cooler songs. I don't know why it'd be at the end, but it's really really good, probably my second favorite behind California Dreamin'. It's very smooth and reminds me a little bit of some of the edgier musicals I've listened to. Like, she's doing a little bit of a character, like Gussie from Merrily We Roll Along or Velma from Chicago. A great cap for a great album. I think I have no choice but to give this a 5 -- I expected it to be more middling and uninteresting -- but it wasn't! It was really grand and cool and wonderful and I'll certainly return to it. No skips. Just all awesome.

Really great, on par with Pet Sounds for me.

Fun, feel good album

Great album

Wonderful album!

Makes me wonder why the Beatles got so famous… awesome music. Similar to beach boys but kind of on another level and the vocalists are all very in sync. I think this may have some irony to it given the band’s story.

Ah, peak 60s pop. Just don't google John Phillips.

I'm utterly offended by the obscene cover art... That aside, this album is totally groovy. A number of recognizable hits, no 20-minute-long ramblings, full motivation for multiple playthroughs. Everything a good album should be.

I had no idea this was the California dreaming album, I have heard that song since I was a child so it really brought back some memories there. Fire album

so much fun.

Great start to the project, love the mamas and papas. this album is a whole vibe.

Fantastic album

Classic

A treasure. Great album. Great harmonies. This is every bit a part of many great memories from back then.

10/10 absolutely love!!!! The harmonies, instrumentals, everything.

Another album on here I own a physical copy of. I rescued this gem from the clearance bin, marked down from $1 to only 25 cents. What a bargain! Their harmonies are up there with The Beach Boys and The Beatles for The GOAT, in my opinion. Not a bad song on here. I’m not always in a mood for hippy folk rock, but when I am, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Just like The Byrds, whose Fifth Dimension was sent to me a few days ago, Mammas and The Papas is also a band that I criminally never listened to. Obviously, I already knew the legendary classic California Dreamin', but I had never listened to an entire album. I was surprised by the spectacular sound of the album, and especially by the harmonious vocals that border on perfection. I really liked the covers of Do you Wanna Dance and I Call your Name, which I already knew from the work of the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Just like Lynyrd Skynyrd's debut that the site sent me yesterday, this is also a great debut album! 5 stars!

The soundtrack of my very early years. Great harmony, still.

Very nice. Good gentle harmonies. Overall a great sound and good music. Really liked it

Fantastic album.

i love this album :>

super awesome. straight shootin.

Album 630 of 1001 The Mamas & The Papas - If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears (1966) Rating : 5 / 5 They are a long time favorite and I can't really find anything negative to say about this album. There are other genres I get into more but anytime is fine for this. Good harmonies and melodies will get me every time.

Not a fan.

Great music and vocal harmony, takes us back to earlier times. This type of music needs to make a comeback!

I’ve always liked the Mamas and the Papas. Such tight harmonies and a dreamy quality to their music. This album contains my favorite, Spanish Harlem.

So so so so good.

The uniqueness of the M&P's sound reminds me of Pet Sounds. Not because they’re from the same era in LA, but because they both create an alluring world. Both were complete fabrications and the reality was a lot more drug fueld and generally fucked up, but still a fun listen! Overall love the Mama's and the Papa's and this record. Straight Shooter is a good encapsulation of the paradox of the hippie movement. Its all fun and games/peace and love until you're addicted to heroin. Not so fun fact: Mama Cass died in the same apartment (Harry Nilsson’s) that Keith Moon would die in 4 years later.

I have an undeniable love for late 60s music and The Mamas & The Papas are one of my favorites. Its very rare to find music like this after the 60s/70s. I love the incredible vocal harmonies and instrumentation. Pop Goes The 60s is a fantastic youtube channel for exploring the history of bands like this. Check out part 1 of the series on the mamas and papas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcks6j3FXcw

I love the Mamas and the Papas. Such gorgeous harmonies. Some obvious hits on this album that already get this to 4 stars for me, but also loved some deeper cuts I hadn't heard (e.g. Do You Wanna Dance) Miss you Mama Cass. God damn that ham sandwich

Kind of wrote this off on first listen as a corny, generic sound like the Monkees. But on second listen, there’s more complexity to the tunes, some interesting chord progressions and overall spooky 60s vibes. Really playing with the stereo panning and reverb. I love it and this is definitely getting some replay. Highlights, hard to choose: Shooter, California, Groovy, In Crowd. So cohesive as an album. Barely on my radar as a group, but now know they were huge in that Laurel Canyon scene. Really interesting to read and learn about. One thing worth sharing: When Elliot Cass died of a heart attack with no drugs in her system, her manager told the press that she died by choking on a ham sandwich so no one would wrongfully say she died from an overdose. I watched a doc on Laurel Canyon today as well - a must watch for anyone into CSNY, Joni, etc. - paternity leave is a beautiful thing.

can trust it.

1966. Los Angeles. Folk rock, sunshine pop / pop rock, pop, soul

This is a signature sound. You can see the times, the place, and the sweet hopes and wishes…

One of my favorite albums of the 60's, whether you can see the toilet or not! (IYKYK)

The harmonies of the four members are just out of this world. The way that their voices blend with one another, whether it be standard three or four-part harmony with a lead vocal, or the call and response between the two male singers and the two female singers, such as on California Dreaming, is just incredible. I'm not sure if there has ever been a better matched vocal band group out there.

Beautiful Album filled with masterpiece songs.

ahh e ziit lang han ich das album huere gsuchtet hahahah monday riese bop every other day every other dayy overy other day EVERY OTHER DAAY OF THE WEEK IS FIIIIIINNNNE YEAAAAAAA straight shooter hani immer mega beatles gfunde got a feelin hani garnümme ufem schirm gha I call your name isch soo geil es isch nüt komplizierts oder so aber eifach de taktwechsel findi suuper iwie schaffeds halt au ihres acappella züg nöd zu cheesy z mache (find ich?) do you wanna dance mega beach boys hüfig hend sie au eifach en part wo für mich megaaa ussesticht wie zB YOOOUUU DON'T UNDERSTAAAAAAND bi go where you wanna go jaa california dreamin isch halt en riese hit ANNELIESE BROWN hahahs mis mami het spanish harlem gaar nöd gern, ich cheggs au aber ich LIEBS somebody groovy git denn wieder chli meh gäse würkli das album isch eifach happiness pur you baby isch megaa cheesy, halt mega de 60er pop "they say candy is sweet but it just can't compete with you baby"😭 d lieder sind echt ultraaa churz und flüged ah eim verbii the in crowd lauft mier so hüfig na wenns um ingroup gaht (brubaker) joo ich lieb das album, git waahrsch es 5i, sehr fest us nostalgie gründ aber ich finds halt würkli es mega churzeiiligs und guets album

These arrangements are upsettingly beautiful.

It's a classic. I don't know if it's possible to dislike those harmonies.

Classic California folk rock album. John Phillips is a brilliant songwriter and it shows on this entire piece of work. Song Highlights: Monday, Monday Got A Feelin' Go Where You Wanna Go California Dreamin' Spanish Harlem 4.5/5 which turns into a 5.

Well crafted 1960’s record honestly one of the best vocals groups to ever do it. Hits constant throughout, the flow moves perfectly through the tracks. Could have never been better.

A group I know and like.

Me encantó, me pareció un discazo y que además es de estos que te transmiten a la época. Me hizo sentir el final de su década a todo lo que da, con la llegada de lo nuevo y el abrazo a lo clásico. Amé.

maybe white ppl can make music 10/10

Love it!

Now this I can get down to listening to during a afternoon or cooking…

I LOVED this. These guys aren't new to me, but I haven't heard this full album before. So iconic. I didn't realize The Beach Boys' song 'Do You Wanna Dance' was actually written by Bobby Freeman and covered by both bands. Very cool Love both versions. There were a couple of songs that felt less strong but I can't remember what they were because I listened to it yesterday.. but what I did remember was great.

Man this is a fucking classic I've had an absolutely mental couple days but holy shit does this feel like a warm hug to get back to. I'm not gonna name specific tracks, it's too consistantly good and im way too delirious.

Wonderful.

An outstanding 60’s record. Monday Monday and California Dreamibg are two of the best singles from the era, and every track is at least great.

Pues muy bueno. Con Monday, Monday, California Dreamin' and Spanish Harlem. Además de otras canciones que he añadido a mis favoritas. Un 5 en toda regla.

Such a strong debut album filled with awesome harmonies! Nobody ever quite wrote songs and performed them quite the way the Mama and Papas did. They do a fine job of walking a very careful line between somber and self-reflective and never fall entirely into the entirely too easy morose. An album filled with hooks that leave you humming all day. Undeniable all-time classics in "Monday, Monday", "Go Where You Wanna Go", and "California Dreamin'". Fantastic takes on covers of "I Call Your Name" by Lennon and McCartney, "Do You Wanna Dance" by Bobby Freeman, and "Spanish Harlem" by Leiber and Spector.

man this was awesome. really unexpected

Great album love it

Wonderful harmonies!!!

superb throughout Monday Monday and California dreamin the big hits never failing to hit the spot, only down in the album was do you wanna dance prefer cliff Richards version but great album.

don’t listen but love them

Always

Just heard Jimi Hendrix and now the Mamas and the Papas. It’s a time capsule. They had such great harmonies and such good songs. this genre is more in my wheelhouse and I like it much more. I also feel like it is just as relevant as Hendrix.

I mean I can't believe how much I enjoyed this. It felt like something I wasn't going to like, but I kept enjoying the next song.

It's always a treat to hear "new" music from bands/artists you enjoy, and most of these were new to me, besides the singles and the Beatles cover. I love the vocal harmonies - Mama Cass is the standout voice here. The guys have that generic bubblegum pop voice it's hard to describe, and over-enunciate sometimes. Hey Girl was the weakest track, but I loved everything else. Favorite track: California Dreamin'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAH-0GKvIrM

I made the mistake of reading the reviews (after listening to but before rating this album). But I’m not gonna let it drag my score down — this was a delightful listening experience. It has that late 60s/early 70s pop charm that ages well. And the layered vocals to boot. I also love when an album from half a century ago has lyrics that are still relatable today.

Cracking album that still amazes

onto a winning streak with these lately, this is another banger. unbelievable harmonies, great melodies, solid lyrics. just a beautiful tapestry

I still own a copy of my mother’s original vinyl, If you can believe your eyes and ears. As a kid she and I listened to it incessantly. Love this album