If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears

Yeah. Chill.

Classic bangers, really enjoyed it from beginning to end - some kinda boring tunes that blend into the background of this era, but overall not bad!

Solid sunshine pop.

I'm always amazed when I hear something from this era that sounds like the Beatles. Not because I view this band as a massive rip-off or something like that, but rather just how far superior The Beatles were tonall the other groups from this time period who have a similar sound. Why do I say this? The Mamas & the Papas in 1966 sound very much like early Beatles. By contrast, The Beatles around the same time were releasing Revolver, and very shortly after this, arguably one of the greatest albums of all time, Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. When you hear such quintessential 60s hits like "California Dreamin," you think of how representative of the era that song is. You don't think about how innovative it is. I'm not saying this Mama's and Papa's album is bad. Actually I think it's quite good, but it's nothing new under the sun. It's nice melodies, with some excellent harmonies, and some catchy, poppy tunes in the mix. Is The Mamas and the Papas debut album worthy of being on this list? Probably. I'm guessing it was pretty influential, and like I said it is good. But, man, if this 1001 album challenge has taught me anything it's that the Beatles are worthy of all the accolades they have, and I've also learned that if something is coming out in the sixties, it needs to not sound like this to truly impress me.

sounds pretty good. doesn't age as well as other music from this era.

Great singles and covers

They have catchy jams but I predict a 3. I don't skip past it, but I also don't feel like for me it was a "must hear".

Good classic songs of the era. California dreaming is a great song. Album overall was good, I’ll come back to it when I’m in the mood for this typical 60s era music.

- paar Banger sind definitiv dabei, aaaber zwischendurch ist es dann auch echt mal zäh und etwas viel Geleier 2,75 / 5

3 - I'd rate this more a 3.5 if I could. Classic California folk rock from the 60s. Album includes some of their most recognized songs.

Why so much panning from left to right, its like they just discovered stereo.

Nostalgic Laurel Canyon comp. Doesn’t evoke an album feel, but it was kind of before that time. The hits are undeniable and defining of a sound, place, and generation. Its drawbacks are of the era. I don’t need them singing Spanish Harlem. Leave that to Phil Spector’s stable. These throw away knocked it down a couple for me. But fun nonetheless.

Not going to compete with the top comment here!

Álbum clásico sesentero, que contiene el archiconocido tema "California Dreamin’". Musicalmente es muy bueno, transporta directamente a la atmósfera hippie de su época. Las armonías vocales, aunque excelentes, acaban por hacerse algo irritantes. Además, todos los temas suenan un poco igual y el álbum incluye varias versiones de otros grupos. Merece estar en esta lista por su relevancia histórica, pero no me termina de convencer.

I love how this sunshine pop / psych follows a soul structure in both compositions and in how almost every song is a cover

I like music.

I feel like sound quality really affected my enjoyment of this.

1) ez a borító HOGYAN történt? 2) all the leaves are broooooooooown and the sky is graaaaaaaaaay (igen, ezért meg a monday mondayért kap hármast, amúgy kevesebb lenne)

There are the two mega-hits "Monday, Monday" and "California Dreamin" on the album. But in total it sounds a bit too aged to me.

All the leaves are brown ALL THE LEAVES ARE BROWN

The big hits are timeless classics that you know well. The rest seems a bit more stuck in a time capsule for me. Very mid-60s pop.

well... this shit was sonically pleasing, but it wasnt very interesting. best songs: california dreamin,monday monday

Whew, that was one big load of cheese

He laulavat hyvin kauniisti ja California dreamingista hyökyy 60-luvun nostalgia (vaikka silloin vielä sitä vuosikymmentä elettiinkin). Sanoitukset on muuten liian 50-lukua mulle, love me ja my baby jne. Vahva kaks puol.

I was ready to slam the SINGLES BAND stamp on this one, but to my surprise, a few of the deep cuts ("Straight Shooter," "Got A Feelin'") are actually pretty nice. Still, not sure this makes it out of the "Great 60s Albums" bracket and onto the "Greatest Albums of All Time" list.

хз , средненько, мне не оч нравки, 3/5

An album, more precisely a sound, synonymous with the time and place it was created, that's worthy of its place in history really only because of its two classic hits.

I have an old "Best of" on vinyl, but I don't think I've ever listened to an actual album of the Mama's and the Papa's (what's with the apostrophes by the way?). This is all firmly in classic territory - beautiful harmonies, some fabulous songwriting mixed with standards, but who would have guessed how many sexual shenanigans were going on behind the scenes with such a light, mainstream, radio-friendly sound?

I'm sorry this either needed more PCP or more black people. It's music like this that makes the exorcisms at Elvis shows make sense. Pleasent layered vocals and some catchy hooks, but if I'm going to listen to something white from this era, why not just throw on Rubber Soul or the Beach Boys. Like can you imagine watching Jimi Hendrix open for these jingle jangle, step side to side and snap mfers. Nothing bad about the music, but I'm just like this is what y'all listened to when you wanted to have a good time? Rating: 6/10

Not bad. Has some deservedly-famous songs on there.

60s folk rock

I feel like I've heard all these songs before even though I don't think I have. I did enjoy them and might give this another spin. 3.5/5

Two of the best 60s and a lot of iffy filler. I wanted to like this more as I am a huge fan of "California Dreamin" and "Monday Monday," but it wasn't there for me.

shrug

A lot of dirty laundry with these folks huh? 4 part harmonies are lovely but deceptive.

Easy listening but not very exciting.

It’s the Mamas and the Papas. It’s nice, it’s what you’d expect.

Solid, enjoyable harmonies. Standout songs: Monday monday California Dreamin

Avi really likes this one! Great harmonies, their voices are amazing. Definitely very 60s, the lovey-dovey vibe gets a little saccharine after a while, but some great songs overall. I liked “Do You Wanna Dance,” a song I always associated with the Ramones, and of course, California Dreaming.

great harmonies

decent album

Monday, Monday, etc

I think they were featured in some horror/thriller media I watched so now I only get sinister vibes when I listen to them. California Dreamin still a banger.

I never thought of them as a band appealing to adults but this album is a lot less child-like in content than I realized

A sonically powerful debut that showcased the mood shift of "family bands" from being all positive to grounding in reality of life at the times. Really puts you back in time

A couple of daytime radio classics, but does it really move you? Not quite poignent enough to avoid the feeling that it's just a great, beautifully executed example of light music of the time. But doesn't stir the hardened 21st century soul.

Great tracks. The challenge for me is a number of the tracks that I like, I prefer done by other artists.

A few very recognizable songs.

Lots of harmonies, takes a little while to get used to. They made a lot of songs feel floaty and dreamy. I didn't think I was going to recognize anything, but knew a few. I really liked the dynamic or like the mood changes throughout songs, it's not something I can think of other people doing. The mood changes along with the lyrics that don't always follow traditional rhyme schemes kept things interesting. I appreciate the experimental aspects of this album while still feeling a bit poppy.

California Dreaming cancels out how much I absolutely hate The “In” Crowd. I wish there was more of that sound, kind of dark and some mystery behind it. Staying at a 3 because the music isn’t bad and the harmonies are great but there’s just something that doesn’t connect with me here. Maybe it’s knowing too much about the John Phillips thing. I also heard this group compared to how the cast of Glee would sound singing folk music and I can see that too.

pretty great debut album. You're doing alright if you drop California Dreamin and Monday, Monday on your first record. I grew up on this music

21/1001 Getting the obvious out of the way, California Dreamin’ is one of the greatest folk rock songs ever and the rest of the album sadly doesn’t hold a candle to its quality and warmth. Now that’s not to say the rest is bad. Far from it Straighter Shooter is a wonderfully uptempo song with a great guitar riff, and in a similar vein is Somebody Groovy. Monday, Monday is another great song. Simple and mellow and it just works. Apart from a few other songs, there sadly isn’t much else to write home about. Some uninteresting attempts, leaving the rest a bit disappointing. 3,5/5

A few classic hits here.

A couple of hits but nothing else that is memorable.

This album was alright and was pretty good for its time. "California Dreamin'" is a classic as always. There's not a lot to the Mamas & the Papas other than "IYCBYE&E". Half of the songs were just generic '60s stuff. Next album please... 3 stars for "IYCBYE&E".

I appreciate this word being in this list. Monday Monday and California dreaming are classics - didn’t realize the ramones covered them with do ya wanna dance. Also many references to them in once upon a time in Hollywood. Great stuff. Also it should be noted that momma cass did not choke on a ham sandwich.

This is a pretty good album, but just not my taste. It is fine, and that's about it. High 3.

was ok. very much of the era

Not what I usually listen to but I enjoyed got a feeling and california dreamin'

Surpassingly good, but not my preferred genre

this album was pleasant and inoffensive but not really anything special for me. california dreamin is obviously well known but dare i say my least favourite song on the album?? maybe i've been overexposed to the 60s i need a break

Listening with my RØDEs and a dac/amp so this sound quality is incredible. Fuming I wasn't born a boomer who could've experienced the 60s in california as they happened. Copying the Beatles but everyone else was (listen to straight shooter again if you disagree with me) and it works because I quite enjoyed it! Straight Shooter and You Baby were personal favourites. Definitely not the most interesting the 60s had to offer by any means but it'll be a good relisten in the summer. Wish we could give half ratings on here bc I'd probably put it as a 3.5. Still hate John Phillips.

Can’t have the mamas without the papas just like you can’t have Houmous without Chutney! 2.6

After I heard this excessively mellow version of "Do You Wanna Dance" I had to stop the album and play the Ramones version just to make things right again before I proceeded. The musical equivalent of a dental spit and rinse. I want to dance with the Ramones, or even M+P's contemporary Beach Boys make me want to dance with Carl Wilson when he sings this, but I do not want to dance with these guys at all. But, M+P were incredibly rock n roll in their own way: The dichotomy between John Phillips' decades of unspeakable debauchery and the sweet tones of his band is staggering. Another huge one is how unhip they sound now and yet there was a time when they were the hippest band in the world, staging the Monterey Pop Festival, etc. But they were their own undoing because after Hendrix hit the stage at Monterey, these guys lost their cultural relevance like a switch flipped.

I'm really surprised that I'm more than a third of the way through this collection, and this is the first Mamas and Papas album, and even more shocked to discover that this is the *only* Mamas and Papas album. Nonetheless this seems like a good selection, as it has a few of their radio classics on it (although it *is* missing most of their singles, perhaps not surprisingly). I didn't grow up listening to them, and have never really found their style and sound all that compelling, so listening to this album didn't really do much for me, and a few of the tracks were a little grating (mainly the cover tunes, e.g. the Beach-Boys-esque take on "Do you wanna dance" or several of the final tracks on the album). But they have a place in the pantheon, I know, and I'm glad to have been exposed to a full album of their sometimes weirdly dark folksy tunes. I'm also struck that my favorite Mamas and Papas tunes are cover versions by later musicians (a bit like Bob Dylan, I suppose).

C sympa

Influential and iconic sound, harmonies are insane. Just not my particular taste most of the way through

I thought I would hate it based on Monday Monday but it's really nice I like it a lot. Lots of 60s pop vibes and I love the back and forth between the mamas and the papas. Side note: the solo on 'I call your name' is absolutely ridiculous and I love it. Fave song: I call your name Least fave song: Monday Monday Would I listen again: I might, but more likely I'll just pick a couple songs to listen to

Didn’t finish. Very one dimensional but good harmonies.

I liked it. I was really into this 60s style in high school and it's a lotta fun. I do think the songs start to blend together, but it is comforting. There are some fun instrumental parts here and the vocal harmonies are great. Actually a 3.5. Liked Songs: "Monday, Monday" , "Straight Shooter" , "I Call Your Name" , "Go Where You Wanna Go" , "California Dremin' " , "Somebody Groovy" , "You Baby" , "The 'In' Crowd"

liked songs: California Dreamin' ALL THE LEAVES ARE BROWN This album is so 60s. It's not bad, it's just very 60s. 3

Overall, this album is not too bad of a background listen as it is melodic and not invasive. Nothing too exciting though, apart from California Dreaming, which has over a billion listens on Spotify, whereas most of the other songs have a couple of million.

Not bad music at all. Very easygoing but a little boooooooooring…

This one’s a real treat. Again a pop album where I knew the hit singles (Monday Monday and California Dreaming), but was surprised by the strength of the album tracks. This is beatlesque/beach boysesque psych pop at its finest. Beautiful vocal harmonies, tasty guitar and keyboard licks. Very memorable melodies and great songwriting. My favorite is probably Got a Feelin’. I wanted to say that this album got very strong Rubber Soul influences, but I see it got released just a couple of months after Rubber Soul, so maybe it’s more of a parallel development kind of thing.

Classic 60's sound, feels very nostalgic.

Even if every song on the album sucked, except for California dreamin, it’d still be a 3 because that song is still great. Good album overall. Would listen again. 3.5⭐️

Very much of its time

Ik heb wat in te halen door de Tijdloze Countdown en de kerstvakantie, waar ik dit wat heb laten aanslepen. Dit is het eerste album en mijn god, wat is het typerend om met 'Monday, Monday' te starten op de eerste werkdag. Het klopt allemaal. Luisteren naar de deprimerende teksten over de meest sombere weekdag terwijl de verblindende kantoorlichten weer voor het eerst in twee weken op mijn gelaat schijnen. Ik heb welgeteld zes keer mijn muziek moeten pauzeren om 'beste wensen' te zeggen tegen mijn collega's met de bijhorende, licht geforceerde glimlach. Heerlijk. Gelukkig Nieuwjaar. 3.4

Okay but a little boring. Probably didn't age well

It’s hard to listen to the Mamas & the Papas’ debut with fresh ears; the music sounds like it was produced so many years ago (close to 60 to he precise). In total it If You Can Beliebe Your Eyes & Ears sounds like the house band for Laugh In - groovy music from a former time. It does however contain two of their strongest compositions- “Monday Monday” and “California Dreamin’” which make it worth the trip down memory lane.

A few standout tunes, beautiful harmonies and Cass Elliot's velvet voice are all worthy features but as a whole this album doesn't wow me.

It's pretty good, some good songs

Alright

This exceeded my expectations. I thought the harmonies were often beautiful and the melodies solid. I won’t seek it out, but new respect to them M&Ps

Solid album with some good songs but they’ve never been a group I’ve listened to a lot. They helped organize Monterey which brought Hendrix back to the US and I met Denny Doherty when he came to speak to my class at Dal so for that I’ll give them a 3.

There were some certified bangers on here but also a few duds. Overall enjoyable.

Eh

Dreamy, folky, beautiful harmonies. Very beach boys esquié, not in a bad way. It’s music I feel comfort in even though I wouldn’t revisit very often. Wish the mono was released and California dreaming is gold

Harmless. Pleasant enough, and, for the time, not that odd, but it’s very much a product of its time. A couple of odd bits - I call your name sits oddly, there’s some experimental stereo stuff going on, and those bloody apostrophes are ridiculous. Some OK bits as well - I enjoyed Straight Shooter and the hits are obviously well known enough to do the job. But it is all a bit harmless. And feels longer than it is as a result - it just sort of wallows in beige and, sixty years on doesn’t excite me really. I’ve heard worse from the sixties. A lot worse. This is perfectly pleasant, in a polite sort of way.

Not for me, but I get its historical place.

Beautiful voices and harmonies, half of the tracks I loved, half of them I would skip on a relisten.

I like the Beatles too

Most of this sounds dated, especially the schmaltzy instrumentation. That's not necessarily a criticism of them, just my own taste I guess. Still, other than California Dreaming, many of these songs sound like imitations of Beatles songs of the era that I like better (Straight shooter sounds just like Paperback writer to me) or Beach Boys songs that have stood the test of time better, for whatever reason, maybe just because they were more iconic. Maybe its because the lyrics to these songs tend more toward cliche. While the singing and harmonies are obviously well-executed, harmony for harmony's sake can have the effect of de-personalizing the tone, as it sounds like a crowd of people singing to you rather than the voice of one person telling you how they feel.

When I was a kid, California Dreaming and Dream a Little Dream of Me seemed like the most white bread, wholesome ditties from across the pond, and if you take them purely on their own merit, they are. But once you start to delve into the love triangles, and the drug addled, sex crazed, debauchery of the group, a dark shadow is cast over their otherwise whimsical pop legacy. Monday, Monday, California Dreaming, and In Crowd are all stand outs. Well written pop of the highest order. Got A Feelin’ is almost a lullaby with it's tiny bell chimes, and ticking clocks. You Baby has some great oohs and ahhs, it's Beach Boys-esque. But let's address the elephant in the room. Incest. We all know you did it John. A close friend said he'd like to drag John Phillips out of his crypt and kick the crap out of him. The story goes he desperately tried to stop his daughter's wedding the night before, and that's when they started their sickening 10 year union. The M’s and The P’s had a song called Young Girls are Coming to the Canyon, Michelle Phillips used to say “yeah and you've fucked them all John”. I'm sorry but it's all too horrible for this listener. If I want nice harmonies and whimsy, of this era, and in this rudimentary style, I'm picking The Monkees. Davy Jones and Mike Nesbitt would never defile their daughters.

didnt realise how weird that guy richard was

Good in places

It was pretty alright, nothing jumped out at me but it’s an enjoyable listen for sure. California Dreamin is an absolute all timer. Do you Wanna Dance beach boys cover??

A lot of good radio songs

Some classics for sure and great harmonies

The use of stereo is interesting but at risk of overdoing it in this. There's a couple of memorable tracks but nothing totally novel you'd be richer for hearing.

if I was getting kidnapped and tortured, I'd want this to be playing

This album serves as a bridge between Motown and the hazy psychedelic influence of the 60s. The production is what sets this apart from being just another sunshine pop album, integrating the reverb and swirls of psychedelia. 3.5 / 5

A few good tracks but not a huge fan of the 60s sound.

There's a couple of iconic songs on here (Monday, Monday... California Dreamin'), but otherwise I found the album pretty forgettable. Not bad, but I won't seek it out again.

22/11/24 It was an alright album.

Another one of those albums that I had heard the singles, but never heard the album, and honestly didn't even know who the artists were. I quite enjoyed it while riding my bike to and from work and will listen to it again

California Dreaming is a choon. You can’t not bop to that. Not much else really grabbing me. But a nice solid 34mins. So can’t complain too much. Simpsons: No

California Dreamin' is brilliant. The rest was OK, and a lot of covers I believe.

I enjoyed both singles and Mama Cassé letting rip on “The In Crowd” but the rest sounded pretty twee to my ears.

Está guay...

I'd never listened to an entire album by these guys but found myself enjoying it quite a bit!

Ah, the siren’s song of the hippie movement. Hard to hate this one. Mama Cass was a treasure. She’s the best thing here. What’s funny is that this record is essentially just a jazzed up Peter, Paul & Mary. It’s all super pretty harmonies, gentle orchestration and classic covers. Nothing even remotely radical. It’s lighter than liteFM. It’s what the parents of the hippies would have liked. It’s music by kids who grew up watching Lawrence Welk, and then smoked some reefer in high school. How this managed to inspire a generation to throw off the shackles of a nice, secure middle class life, I will never understand. But here we are. Thanks for ruining everything, ya filthy hippies. That said, this is fine. As per usual at the time, the guys sing too much.

Classic, good album. Didn't leap to my feet or anything but it was good

Simple, happy music, good harmonies but needed better engineering.

it is really pretty but does get a bit boring and repetitive

Fun. Nostalgic. But a little too old-school for me.

60’s

Not a bad album, but only a couple of songs I really got into

California Dreamin' is obviously great, but the ret was just okay.

One of the oldest sounding oldies groups for sure. I find their music mostly boring, but California Dreamin is really, really good. I also really enjoyed I Call Your Name, a song new to me.

jukebox bangers, nöd alltagstauglich though california dreamin aber en absolute banger

60s folk pop sounds of its time but still just as great. All beautifully written, very Beatles Esk twangy guitar lines and a cover of I Call Your Name. Stand out tracks: - Monday Monday - Straight Shooter - California Dreamin' - Somebody Groovy - The "In" Crowd

Enjoyable with the classics thrown in

CD är ju snorbra. Även den andra hiten, Monday monday är bra. Resten. Nej, som vanligt är det milsvida skillnad. Fattar inte.

California dreamin’ är verkligen svinbra och fanns en eller ett par till hyfsade dängor, men i övrigt var det inget som väckte särskilt mycket inom mig. Det är inte dåligt, men bara så slätstruket sextiotalstrist.

Yeah kind of nice but nothing stood out for me

I liked it. Mainly California dreaming

Not the kinks

милые и знакомые, впечатляет сколько из них хитов пошло. но надо намного больше слушать чтобы зацепило

3/5 Liked California Dreamin

California Dreaming and Monday Monday are definitely the standouts here. The rest of the songs I could kinda take or leave. Definitely not the most impressive or innovative 60s record

Fine, but a bit too clean. California Dreamin' is clearly the stand-out as expected. The rest of the tracks have some nice moments but really nothing special. 3.3/5

Nice pop rock sweetness

Some good classics

Giants of my youth. Gotta admit that I was fascinated with Cass’s size. She was perhaps the fattest famous person I’d ever seen. Why that bothered my 5 year old self is beyond me, but I’d stare at the album cover for hours. My dad was a big fan, and these stoners helped usher in his hippy days. We went from crew cuts to shoulder length overnight, and I was complaining. My dad loved to harmonize along to the music. It seemed to be some of his happiest moments. I’m not really a fan, but it’s always nice to trip down the old brain lane.

Some classic songs, but not to appealing overall.

2024-09-04...

Fun listen! Faves: Monday Monday, Go Where You Wanna Go, California Dreamin’, Spanish Harlem

Better than I expected

Lots of classic songs on this. Not bad at all.

Not my type of music.

"California Dreaming" is the best song on this album, and the rest are only ok. Beautiful harmonies but meh songs overall.

this was decent but i had absolutely zero nostalgia of this group to fall back on. california dreamin' is the best song on here by a country mile, but at least the others were fine and fairly short. also, this album cover is driving me crazy. why on earth would you pluralize mamas and papas with apostrophes???? favorites: monday monday, california dreamin

They're okay, but too sixties.

Pretty enjoyable. No notes

The hits are very good. They seem to be of two minds here. Some neat progressive modern harmonic songs intermixed with more dated sounded bubblegum hymnal type music

Otroliga vocals, men blev lite repetitivt efter ett tag. Bara California Dreamin som sticker ut

Classic.

It's okay

Can totally appreciate the writing and arrangements on this record. Just of a different time period and prob not much that would bring me back for a second listen. California Dreaming is going on the 1001 playlist though

POV: you're a hippie taking a roadtrip throughout the US in the late 60s/early 70s. Favorites: California Dreams and Spanish Harlem. Monday, monday is good too.

Sounded exactly like what I expected it would

Enjoyable.

If you had to demonstrate what the 60s sounded like to an alien you might choose this. Classic 60s vibes bottled up. But they sound great and they are the banner holder for a reason. Constantly toying with the R/L stereo kind of fucks me up. Calfornia Dreamin’ is my go to track for making sure my speakers are both working. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would though.

76% Best: Monday, Monday; Straight Shooter; California Dreamin'; The "In" Crowd Must-Hear? Not quite

Lots of album separation quite nice - just a mellow album. Not really very memorable.

One of the best album covers in existence

If you can believe your eyes and ears, The Mamas & The Papas are here to assuage your fears. People often forget how much of a groundbreaking group they were, in large part due to what happened to most of them afterward, damning or otherwise. But this debut record encapsulates what they were all about in the midway point of a decade of incredible change, when any and all things seemed possible. The Mamas and The Papas, regardless of how you may have felt before, would certainly make you believe in the sights and sounds. Favorites: Monday, Monday, Straight Shooter, Do You Wanna Dance, Spanish Harlem, Somebody Groovy, Hey Girl, The "In" Crowd.

This is decent, but John Phillips is probably a sex pest, so 2.5 stars for you!

Monday, Monday

The Mama's and the Papa's successfully blended folk and pop in an era that seemed to be dominated by either the Brit invasion sound of The Beatles, the surfer sound of The Beach Boys, or Motown. While there are a few tracks on here that are sleepy and boring, you can't deny their incredible harmonies and the absolute the genius of what is clearly their best song, California Dreamin'.

This is the stereotype for hippie flower child music. It was ok

It was a lovely throwback - unfortunately I was having an autistic meltdown while listening to it. That may have coloured my review slightly.

bad

A surprise for me: that the album that contains "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday" is otherwise pretty dull.

Fun oldies album

Some really great tunes and some “meh”. Great vocals all around though!

Incredibly dysfunctional as individuals incredibly harmonius as a group. Nice record probably 3.5 stars

2.5 Cass Elliott is better alone

Yea it was alright, some of those 60’d harmonies I’m not a fan of, but it was fine.

It was fine, but I didn't think there was anything special about it. I liked "Monday, Monday" but the rest was a blur.

Classic, but not my style

A lot of these songs still hold up

This is probably the least favourite of the quintessential 60s albums I’ve heard so far (ie. Jefferson/beach boys). Very monotonous.

Ok

This is important, foundational music that set the tone for so much other similar sounding music to be built upon. The classic hits still sound great today. I don't listen to this kinda music tho, so 3 stars

Groovy. It’s groovy, what else is there to say?

Of it’s time

..).

First off, fuck John Phillips. That guy sucked. It's a good thing he's dead so I can feel comfortable listening to this album on streaming. I mean, I could've said the same thing about Jerry Lee Lewis, but I didn't. Maybe it's because this is from a band with other living members that get the money instead as opposed to a solo live album where the shithead says his own name and puts his last name in one of the songs that makes it okay to me. Whatever, let's move on from that. Something something "separate the art from the artist," you get the idea. This album's alright. I like the vocals. The presence of a whopping FOUR vocalists really adds a variety in vocal sound that you don't get much with music like this. At most it's usually two singers. The instrumental sound takes a bit of a backseat in this one, but it's still solid. The songs themselves are alright too. The highlight of course is "California' Dreamin." That song's pretty great and was an easy add to my "Best of the Albums" playlist. The others are good too. I like this album. I don't love it, but it's good. High 3/5.

I feel like I knew the two best songs already - didn’t really need the rest.

This album will be the soundtrack of my autumn, I think

Underneath the thick layer of vocal-pop bubblegum, there is some subversion, a la the free love anthem "Go Where You Wanna Go". Some tracks haven't aged all that well ("Spanish Harlem" feels... creepy?), and Cass Elliot is the clear star here. Favorite tracks: "California Dreamin'", "Somebody Groovy"

#302. This album can't really decide if it wants to be hippie music, or pop music. It's not really bad, technically, but it's very of its time, and is somewhat hard to get into if you're not already o diehard of the genre. A bit uninteresting to the casual passerby. 3/5: acceptable

I love California Dreamin and Monday Monday. A couple of other tracks on the album are fairly good as well but others, well, not so good. The vocal harmonies are amazing throughout however. The overall sound is quite dated. A mixed bag for me and my score reflects that.

Lovely warm bath of a record.

predicting it now, im not gonna like this one track one - this sounds awful on streaming. i know the original vinyl version is probably better. the panning is so off and the vocal are way too loud reading up on their history as group is way more interesting than album itself. these mfs freaky asl. fuck you john nasty ass pos its alright i guess, however i will likely never return to this album

California Dreaming is one of my favourite songs from the 60s

I feel like such a hater every time I give something less than three stars because I could never create anything like this and it’s one of the top 1001 most influential albums of all time, and also I know nothing about music, but yeah I didn’t love it

Sounds like ABBA doing folk (or, more accurately, ABBA sounds like Mama’s & Papa’s doing disco). Lovely harmonies, hard to knock the talent.

It was fine. Probably good for its time. Simple rhymes and lots of 'em.

California Dreaming and Monday Monday are classics.

Tenía referencias de este álbum por la canción California Dreamin', soundtrack de la película Chungking Express. En general disfruté el sonido, pero sin duda mis favoritas son The "In" Crowd y por supuesto, California Dreamin', que es maravillosa.

Nice 60's band with a couple of huge hits. California Dreaming and Monday, Monday

Solid album. Definitely of my parent's age...but definitely nostalgia inducing as I spend many hours in the back seat listening to "the oldies" with the Mamas and Papas a stable...

Not bad.

Very close to two stars, but "California Dreamin'" pushed it over. It's an interesting story that this band had such a short window as music changed around them.

Pleasant.

Felt like I was listening to The Brady Bunch’s greatest hits album.

Was good not my cup of tea but musically I can appreciate it

Some Songs are milestones…but not the whole Album…5/10

The 2 singles off this album are great, peak 1960s pop music. The other songs are nice with varying levels of interest in them.

Surprisingly good.

There's a definite Mamas & Pappas sound. It's of its time but has a nice vocal breadth others don't. They had a Lennon and McCartney song, but it didn't deliver. I've heard the radio hits ad nauseum over the years, so it's a little hard coming to this with fresh ears. Sort of funny the cover was controversial for showing a toilet. 3.6

I like the unique feel and musicality of this band, unfortunately it felt a bit repetitive at times.

Perfectly fine. California Dreamin' and Monday Monday are clearly the standouts. Everything else is kinda filler.

Great group/ sound from the 60’s. Great harmony and some great songs, from them.

A classic

It's fine. Standard 60s music

I’ve always loved their harmonies and tone.

Was expecting some boomer nonsense just from the band's name. However, I was pleased with what I actually got. Some simple but fun pop tunes. Can't hate that.

Excellent harmonies and such a 1960s Laurel Canyon vibe - but except for some of the bigger songs, they kind of just blend together. Still good but not what I'd call great, though obviously groundbreaking. Also a shame that John Phillips is such a sick bastard.

Nice swingy easy to listen to . 6/10

Great harmonies. California Dreaming is as evocative as songs get. Probably not circling back to this any time soon, but it is was a good listen.

Fun tunes with some great vocal work, but unfortunately 'California Dreamin' ' is just an 11/10 song and nothing else on here can really come close to touching it's greatness. Everything else is good don't get me wrong, but they just hit a diamond mine on that one and it makes the rest look worse in comparison.

Good album, California dreaming a cracker 6/10

3.5/5

I was aware of these guys but not how many big ‘uns they had.

Wonderful harmonies - enjoyable. Not my fave but pretty good as they try to bridge folk n "rock" or at least, be more mainstream.

Enjoyable!

California Drearming is a huge song, and I like Spanish Harlem too. But the altogether the album falls just shy of a 4-star for me. If it also had Dream a Little Dream, it would push me over (that's an amazing track).

Agree with others in my group who make the Monkees/early Beach Boys comparison. Pretty throwaway songs for the most part, with a couple that land.

Bit too dated for my personal tastes, but it's nice easy listening that you can tell is well made. California Dreamin is still a banger though.

3 stars

Some solid/catchy songs- California dreamin, Monday Monday, Spanish harlem

Fine. That's about it. Milquetoast.

Would I listen to it again: yes Is it a no-skip album: yes Do I like it: yes

STANDOUTS: Monday, Monday Go Where You Wanna Go California Dreamin' OVERALL: 3.5/5; some classics in here. Another "dad album" vibe.

Of it's time. Kind of nice. a couple of tracks stand out.

Some classic tracks that are still great in "Monday, Monday" and "California dreamin". In those songs you can really hear the influence of popular sounds of the time that other bands like the beach boys or the Beatles were also using. Some really good voices help to really elevate some of these songs. Really strong for a debut album.

Iconic sound of the 60s and love the hits but overall not for me. Rating: 3.3

Pretty good

Fine. Not my thing

Another band where the less you know about the members (John in this case), the better. California Dreaming is so damn powerful though. Cass deserved better.

Well, I've already heard "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday" from this album. Aside from those two songs, "Go Where You Wanna Go" and "Somebody Groovy", there's not much here to write about. It's the debut album of a folk-pop group from the 1960s, complete with a couple of covers that don't add much to the overall product. The only other notable aspect of the Mamas and the Papas is what happened after their breakup, which you are free to check out and make of what you will. As for the album, take the singles and the rest can be skipped.

An incredible debut album that sounds like the group had figured out their sound years ago and was deep into their career. The standouts are obviously the singles, but the energy and harmonies carry the album in a way that is definitely pinpoint to the time period but still feels exciting. Standout Tracks: Monday Monday, Go Where You Wanna Go, California Dreamin'

I thought some of these tracks were the Beach Boys or the Cowsills and didn't realize it was The Mamas & Papas all these years. Huh. For as known as they are for harmonies, the off-pitchness on I've Got a feeling really bothered me. Other tracks felt like variety show theme songs. California Dreamin' holds the album together and solely drives the thrid star in my rating.

nice harmonies, i like this era of music

I adore the harmonies on this album, they are a major instrument of the iconic sound of the mamas & the papas. Nice listen, very good.

It is okay 60s music. California Dreamin is good, the rest is a bit boring/uninspired compared to the greats. Sort of derivative of Beatles + Beach Boys I think?

Some lovely singing and melodies on this one. I liked it.

Pretty good album! I enjoyed it, very chill. 3.5/5

California Dreamin house remix is one of the greatest electronic songs of all time

I can respect many of the songs on this album, from a songwriting perspective, and I think "California Dreaming" is a very good song. However, it's not really my thing, and I generally don't like the general vibe and approach and do not get excited about listening to this music.

The Mamas and the Papas knew their sound, and they did it well. Unfortunately, this album is really one note. It's basically the same song from beginning to end with very little variation. There are a couple pretty cool tracks. I think Straight Shooter probably hits harder than the rest of the album, and Spanish Harlem is a pretty cool track. But... it's just a pretty meh album.

I've only heard a few of these guys' songs. The first song on this album is Monday Monday. I'd heard this song before better didn't know it was them.

mondays amirite 😂 no actually why is this album so sad but sound so fun- got a feelin?? i call your name?? do u wanna dance makes me want to cry this album is what daisy jones & the six tried to be

Some good hits and really pretty harmonies, but ultimately I think a lot of the songs kind of blend together. Also don’t think this really stands out when compared to other albums from the 60s

Good album. California Dreaming is iconic.

A couple of absolute classics, great vocal harmonisations. This always sounded twee and is now showing its age. California Dreaming will remain in the psyche of mankind for a long time to come and for that reason I have given this album a 3

Good

Oldie but a goodie. I like most of it. CA Dreamin' is top with a few other well knowns that hit the mark. Good harmonies and having female/male vocals works nicely here. Doesn't stand out as epic but works for a nice drive though sunny CA.

Pretty good 60s pop album. A lot of quick catchy songs that still hold up today. Never listened to The Mamas and The Papas previously but I was glad to have a reason to sit down and listen. 3.00 stars

It’s a classic but not my jam

not really into psych anymorr

Kind of the same thing over and over. A few good songs strong a singles bit the album was too repetitive and kind of lame. Great harmonies though

great 60s pop. Basic lyrics, I could almost predict what they would say next

Too much of a good thing with the harmonies, make this album mostly sound dated and boring. California Dreamin’ is a fantastic song (take a moment to go listen to the Bobby Womack version) but there’s not much else here except a couple of other songs that sounded okay. Listening to this album made me want put on the Beach Boys or the early Beatles instead. I’m sure it was a little edgy for the time, but it seems very tame, repetitive, and milquetoast today. 2.5 stars

Feel good 60's music with nostalgic hits.

Ok singlovi ko album onako

Overall good. Some well known songs on here, but it never gets to a great place. 3/5 Might listen again

Pre-listen: This album cover looks like this isn't going to be something very enjoyable. (hey, future me here, i was sorta correct.) Actual listen: I think I'll just skim through this, 35 minutes of this is just gonna be excruciating. "Monday, Monday" is... eh, fine i guess. As far as I'm concerned this is "California Dreamin': The album". Some songs are catchy, the rest of the record is nothing to write home about, but not bad per se. The choir gets old.

I feel the same way about Mondays ... every other day is fine. But Mondays blow.

Pretty much what I expected an album by a band from this time to sound but it wasn't that bad ,Its just something I'll see coming back to often

This was ear candy. Amazing voice harmonies in service of a set of songs that brought me right into a time and space that captures imagination: the counterculture 1960s. The songs are far from easy - there is so much complexity and delicate craft in these arrangements. And at the end of the day, though it looks sunny on the outside when you pass by quickly, there is also deep melancholy and disenchantment inside. It made me think of this deep sadness that happens when you realize that as you are experiencing time, it has already passed and that the best is behind before you know it. A sense of grief for what is still here but will be gone soon. This said, though I can appreciate the atmosphere and the craft involved in these songs, I don't think I will come back here.

A couple big hits, but the rest is just ok

Not a bad listen, would not buy on vinyl but I like it. Gives me Beatles vibes

Inoffensive generic 60s jams. Look out for ham sandwiches!🥪

A nice chill album, very unexpected to see them being the original band of California Dreamin

Good not great. Some certified bangers here, but nothing too standout.

Many of these songs sound like The Beatles early work or The Beach Boys. California Dreamin’ is a straight up banger. Monday, Monday and Straight Shooter are pretty good too.

7/10 but not 4*

You know the preacher locked the door He knows I’m gonna stay. 3.5

Mama's and the Papa's aren't the most exciting 60s act, but they have their charm. The hits really bring it and Cass Elliot has a great voice.

I read something positively awful the other day, along the lines of successful 60s pop groups doing one of two illegal things – and at least one member of the M & the P doing both. This is a cool and laid back album and I'll never stop trying to figure out the dark side that most of us conceal from the world.

Lots of songs I've heard before. One new good one that stood out for me: Do You Wanna Dance. Spanish Harlem is an old favorite.

A couple classics then a bunch of standard 60’s fare. But hey, the fact that this albums has even two songs that are still playable 60 years later is pretty impressive.

Fine album, nothing more to it. Glad it only lasts 30 min and not any longer than that, I couldn't exactly do more than that amount of time in this style (ironic coming from the person who really liked the LTJ Bukem album)

Good stuff

meget catchy! fik mig til at tænke på Jens Lekman som har samplet I Call Your Name og Chungking Express som er 100% knyttet til California Dreamin' i min hjerne (positivt)

Fun, but nothing to revisit.

It's got California Dreaming on it. Which is just a beautiful, beautifual thing. It's all very pleasant, it brings back memories of being in the car with Mum and Dad. It's a classic for a reason.

Phew, what a band, I bet this bathtub could tell some stories. Now for the music. Eh. California Dreaming saves the record.

Thoughts before listening: Classic 60s poppy folk rock record. Assuming this has their hits on it this should be a fun listen. Review: The Mamas and the Papas' hits like "Monday Monday" and "California Dreamin'" are the sound of the 60s. It's pop music reminiscent of the early Beatles mixed with the sounds of the 60s folk movement that the band members were associated with. Perhaps it's the male/female communal group vocals, but there is a certain hippie idealism to their sound without being overly psychedelic. This is ultimately pleasant pop music with a handful of catchy singles surrounded by pretty forgettable filler songs. 3-stars mainly because "California Dreamin'" is such a great song.

Can't go wrong with an album cover like that really. California Dreamin' is a great song, pleasantly inoffensive otherwise

Didn't love it, didn't hate it

California dreaming is a banger but other than that theres not much to be found

It was fine! Maybe one to re-visit down the road

If You Can Believe Your Ears and Eyes Straight Shooter • Classic. Fine song. Got a Feelin' • Cool idea that the clock ticking pervades the song and reflects the lyric "wasting time...". I Call Your Name • I like the tempo changes, especially at the first minute. Nice keys in this one. Do You Wanna Dance • I like this one. Campy lyrics but the strings really move the track. Go Where You Wanna Go • Nice. Nothint crazy. California Dreamin' • Classic song. The flute from 1:30 on rips. Spanish Harlem • Annoying vocals, creepy lyrics. "La la la, la la la, la la la laaa". Bass is nice and simple: "Dun, dun-dun" Somebody Groovy • Great bass. Acoustic at 1:45 is excellent. Hey Girl • Annoying vocals and lyrics. Skip for that reason. Shame, the piano and bass are pretty good, especially at 1:25. You Baby • Bass at 1:30 has a tone reminiscent of The Garden. Pretty neat. The in Crowd

Harmonies for days. California dreamin' will always belong to Chungking Express. Now to take a read about this lil band as i take a big sip of coffee...

I enjoyed it :) don't really remember that many of the songs

This is my moms JAM. I feel like I'm 8 years old, driving to harmony house.

Really chill pop music, also nostalgic

A Solid pop album, nothing more.

I was hoping this was better after seeing the initial track listing. A really solid Side 1, and a much more lackluster Side 2. The covers weren’t as good as I expected (Do You Wanna Dance, Spanish Harlem, e.g.). Catch a clip of them on YouTube either at Monterey or on The Ed Sullivan Show. Pretty cool group.

I appreciate, but don’t love, their singing.

It's good, some bangers🔥🔥 I enjoy silly 60s songs ngl

Some classic songs, and amazing harmonizing. California Dreamin' is an all time great, but other tracks in the first half also have their share of good songwriting and better singing. The album ends on such a terrible note for me though, with 2 of my least favorite songs here ending the album, and the 2 before it being not very memorable

the panning on this music is interesting - guitar and drums on left, lead vocals are central, supporting vocals and strings are to the right - very loud vocals compared to the rest of the sound;

Goes alright. Not my scene, but can respect the impact this music had in its time.