If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears

typical hippie shit. 2.8

Good feeling oldie music

1 star rubbish/full 3 stars alright good back ground 5 stars it really caught me, a great experience

Pretty cozy, not hooked tho

Pretty cool. I have heard of this artist before, never listened to this album. I do respect them very much, enjoy some of the music.

My mom was born in the year this was released. The Mamas indeed.

Feels like California Dreamin’ single-handedly got this album on the list, which I can’t argue with - it’s a fantastic song. The rest of the album isn’t bad, but nothing stands out like California Dreamin’ does. It’s perfectly fine, but there’s nothing here that hasn’t been done better elsewhere, imo.

The harmonies are amazing. Very dated now, but it's hard to argue that this is poorly done, even if it's not my favorite thing.

Straight Shooter Got a Feeling’ Do You Wanna Dance California Dreamin’

i cant hear mama cass the same after the snl skit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2710NcijHY album was fine, i didnt particularly enjoy or dislike it

That's a fun 60's vibe right there. I'll go 3 stars with California Dreamin' doing a fair bit of lifting

Quality AM radio fodder. I appreciate quite a few of their songs, but never got around to formally adding them to my collection. Take a moment to enjoy the light and breezy vibe that comes with the times and try not to get distracted by all the behind-the-scenes weirdness. You'll be fine.

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN

6.5/10 Impeccable 60s vibe Clearly influenced by Beatles and Beach Boys Excellent vocals throughout Musically quite split: either uptempo, propulsive, excellent, or somewhat dreary and maybe boring Best: Go Where You Wanna

Mellow album that you can enjoy during a road trip!

Low 3

Cult music vol. 1

Really just one good song. They do have great vocals.

3.5 I'm a sucker for a good harmony but 2.5 bangers out of 12 tracks does not a masterpiece make.

Pretty good!

💗

Greatest hits with cover filler. Sounds more dated than some of its 1966 peers

Stellar moment in pop history but too soft and too old for me to listen to it regularly

definition of "okay"

The very definition of a 3 – I think all the songs here sound really nice, but there’s only a few real standouts. I think it suffers from the general thing that ‘60s albums tend to do, which is really weird panning that kind of sacrifices the original vision of a song, but it doesn’t make them bad, necessarily. It’s a solid listen, but there’s just not enough to really warrant coming back to a lot of the tracks.

3/5

I love "California Dreaming" so so so much but I never want to hear "Rose in Spanish Harlem" again, so it's a tough one to rate. The singing is great. 3.5 rounded down to 3.

Spanish Harlem was incredibly unsettling to me as a child and I never really clocked why and yep as an adult it’s still a kinda creepy song. Everything else is great except The In Crowd

Fint album.

I can understand the importance of this album in music history, but to me it belongs to the past. It will not get a place on my playlist anymore.

This album answers the question “what if they still wrote doo wop music in the 60s”

Catchy as hell. Great harmonies. But knowing what I know about the group makes it difficult to fully enjoy this album

Not really something I'm gunna revisit, but it's not bad. 60's pop music kinda like the Monkees?

Apart from the two well-known singles, it's middle 60s pop, nothing to be excited by.

California Dreaming is sublime. Rest I could take or leave.

Best een leuke plaat. Immens vrolijk maar is dat wel echt zo?

An album with both Monday Monday and California Dreamin deserves a decent rating even if the other songs are rather forgettable.

Pretty good stuff though some of it didn't age as well as other bits.

It's okay

California Dreamin' is still great, but the rest I find tedious

There wasn't anything wrong with the individual songs, but as an album I didn't get it. I also don't feel like I have an idea of who they are as a band. One minute it feels like 1950's, then 1970's then almost country, and 1960's female blues ballads. But even the cover of the album confused (and made me laugh) me so I guess it all makes sense now...none of it is supposed to make sense!

This makes me think of the opening soundtrack to every beach blanket bingo style movie shot in a monochromatic sepia tone, with the band of carefree hippies driving along the PCH in their VW van and bouncing around the beach in the summer sun, playing guitar, throwing the frisbee and smoking weed, just days before the women are brutally slayed by an unknown serial killer who loves to leave calling cards with symbols or word play that the cops can’t figure out. I dig it. Groovy, man.

Unoffensive and..nice. That is not bad qualities for an album but in the end this is very timebound bubblegum pop. A few tracks like California dreamin has a haunting quality that is interesting.

Feel-good 60s hippie pop, a pleasant palette cleanser after a week of full-bodied flavors and textures.

Two very good songs: Monday Monday California Dreamin'

Probably would have been a 4 if I was in a different mood.

Not my favourite but good

Enjoyable 3.5

favorites: monday, monday, got a feelin', do you wanna dance, california dreamin', spanish harlem forever will associate this album with the memory that one of the guys my mom dated gave her this album to culture her with some classic music. i have heard this album more times than i can count

Voices and harmony front and center on this one.

Classic 60's sound. Love California Dreaming and recognized a few others, several being covers of other bands. I give it 3 stars.

Enjoyed 3.2

The hits still stand out. The grove is alluring. The harmony is joyful. The sound marks a particular moment in history. How can you not listen to this album and not think of the west coast idea of freedom?

Very produced. Know some of the songs because of the Ramones.

Horrible band name, terrible album cover-Is a motel bathroom toilet the best backdrop you got? But fantastic harmonies, great arrangements, great album

Hard to rate something this old and pre-rock with today’s ears. 2 really good songs, and another above-average one, great harmonies. Would probably lean to 2.5 if it was an option.

6/10 California dreamin still a 10/10 song

A bit creepy but had a few good songs

Unexpectedly fun.

I listened through three times, and this is the definition of easy listening music to me. That’s not a bad thing, it was great to have on while I worked, the music is solid and the vocals, especially the ladies in the group, were fantastic. Unfortunately it also suffered from not having anything that really stood out to me, while easy listening is a blessing it’s also a curse. The album eventually turned into clichéd 1960s prom music in the background of my activities. While enjoyable, not one of those albums I’d find myself reaching for out of random want.

Would it be fair to call this a pop album? Really catchy stuff, it hasn’t aged itself too much thankfully (for better or worse. 3.4

Classic. I’m still stuck on the three stars though

Enjoyed it. Felt like it epitomized the 60s. It was a “mood”.

Nice piece of history, doesn't hold up.

Songs about sad hippy relationships. It was weirdly enjoyable.

It was nothing astounding but it was a nice album to have on.

Fun listen

Fun listen, and some food tunes. Probably won't seek it out, but wouldn't kick it out of bed for eating crackers.

I was excited when this popped up, thinking it would be a 4 or 5. But after listening to it, it turns out I only enjoy the radio hits and the rest is... Meh

Wonderful 60’s pop. A few tracks are a little dated but most of it is still charming and fun. I love the song “Do You Wanna Dance” and I love hearing ‘new’ versions of it that I didn’t know existed. The Mamas and the Papas do a lovely version. It’s slowed down a bit like the Bette Midler version, which is my personal favorite. “California Dreamin’” is a classic song. It’s an original here but it’s another one of those songs that’s been covered dozens of times. A few years back I got into the Jose Feliciano version. I also really liked “Somebody Groovy” and “The ‘In’ Crowd.”

AJ: harmonizing hippies!

Vond t eerste nummer (Monday, Monday) erg toepasselijk brak in de trein 1 januari op maandag ochtend haha. En California dreamin is natuurlijk een banger. Maar de scandal wtf…

I’m very underwhelmed, one song stands out. That’s it.

pretty good, standard 60s rock, not a bad listen

Good background music. Couple of standouts but the songs largely blend into each other

Sounds like the 60s, so nothing too crazy. One of the female singers on the cover looks kind of like Lindsay Lohan. Listening to California Dreamin reminded me of the California lottery ad that featured a version of the song with a choir. It was pretty good.

Solid but not super unique. I guess maybe they were the first to have this particular brand of shuffle-y folky sound, but idk if that’s true and even if so it was mid. 6/10

Didn’t like like half the songs, but California dreaming is good 6.5/10

Just sounds like exactly what I’d expect from 60s pop I guess. Not great, not bad. 5.5/10

I think I could really dig this if not for the way albums from this era were mixed. Such strange panning. It's kind of disorienting. I'm not sure if it's because they were original mono and then split into stereo later or what. Very easy listen with some catchy bits.

There are se timeless songs on here but then some very average 60s stuff. The band seemed to be a bunch of weirdos. Would not listen to this album again but maybe a greatest hits album.

Sounds just like the era which I really enjoy. A good, easy listening, catchy, and wholesome record. Listened to it while I waxed my skis the day after Christmas which felt very fitting.

Let's separate the art from the artist on this one. After hearing this album, my first thought is "Why the hell are they posing in a bathtub next to a dirty toilet." Then I realize it's a metaphor. This album has four good songs that wash over the listener, but the rest of the album is just shit. I enjoy songs on this album, but the rest isn't revelatory or terribly interesting. I have always enjoyed "Monday, Monday" but I also feel like the song goes on 30 seconds too log and it can drag. This album probably belongs in the book, but it doesn't mean it's a good album. Sometimes an album can be of its time and serve as an example to others on how music can improve over time.

Cass Elliot carried this band on her back.

Another amazing debut, full of great songs with harmonies that stand the test of time. [0093/1001]

California Dreamin' is a certified banger. That song alone earns these poster children for swinging 3 bottles of lube out of 5. 💦💦💦

Pretty catchy and cool

I just remember reading about that this album was controversial because of the album cover with the toilet. Sure it's not a nice toilet but being banned is a bit excessive. Anyway the album is OK. Some original songs padded with covers. California Dreamin' is a banger.

California Dreamin' is an all time classic. Apart from that mediocre Pop Folk.

калифорния круто и в целом приятно, но не самый яркий альбом

Мне кажется, я таким классическим группам разучился ставить низкие оценки. Ну хорошая музыка, чё бубнить-то...

бэйз

Pretty nice harmonies & overall rather basic, unoffensive music. It's fine, just fine.

Would not have normally picked this one. Great harmonies and neat to realize they sing California dreamin’

Another mid tier funk album. It's good.

Contains some of their biggest hits from the 1960s including "Monday, Monday" and "California Dreamin'".

California Dreamin jumps out obviously, otherwise I thought the album was pretty basic and suffered a little with dating, the sound not being all that polished. Glad to give it a listen but not going back

Pas mauvais mais rien que je trouve particulièrement intéressant

I enjoyed this one for the nostalgic sound of growing up listening to this in my parents' cars. The songs still hold up today, though that bubblegum sound doesn't do a whole lot for me on its own anymore. Favorite track: California Dreamin'

Was fine

Fín plata, doldið boring samt með tveimur sterkum lögum. Þessi 60's tónlist á það til að vera doldið basic. Sifjaspellið skemmir þetta band alltaf aðeins fyrir mér.

Tvö góð lög, restin lala. Mér fannst þessi orða þetta best. "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."

Definitely a product of it's time, but some real standout songs and California Dreamin' will always be a classic.

Easy listening. 3/5

Wel lekker, california Dream in >>>>>

Upbeat, good vocals, harmony About relationships Has california dreamin Pop music, Folk rock, Pop rock, Soul music, Psychedelic pop

Strong start, weak finish.

Mid

Didn’t know they sang Cali Dreaming. Great song. Rest is similar oldies, wouldn’t listen standalone. Would have to be feeling oldies playlist

This was an enjoyable listen! The famous songs on the album are obviously good but I also liked Got A Feelin'. I will say, it feels a bit dated (particularly the In Crowd) but good for what it is.

One good song, otherwise fails to live up to the folksy hype.

California Dreaming is among the greatest songs of all time. While no other song quite reaches that level there is enough to enjoy if you like vocal harmonies.

Not bad. A little repetetetive, but still a fun listen.

Very high 3 Enjoyable, easy listen, filled with a lot of classics

Pas très original mais doux

It totally makes sense as an essential listen. I think that "California Dreamin'" especially, but the entire album, helped create a distinctive sound for pop music during the 1960s and soundtracked the cultural shift of the hippie era.

Sounded like a progenitor to ABBA until I heard California Dreamin' and realized why this album made the list. Obvious classic, the rest of the album was okay.

Soft and rough rock. Airy.

A couple of stone cold classics, some average fayre and some bland boring covers. Definitely a mixed bag of an album.

California Dreamin

Nice to listen to but I think that I will not do it again. The hits are still cool but the complete album did not age well

Some classics in there

their first album (shuffled edition) monday, monday is about them losing a loved one on... monday. it reminds me of the storytelling in a corrido. california dreamin'! holy shit! it's them! how dare i? the mamas and the papas, how dare i... forgive me, my apologies. go where you wanna go: do whatchu wanna do, upbeat song about uplift! i like ✌️😊 edit: second time listening. i want this to be part of the soundtrack to my life. 🥹✨ the "in" crowd: this song is posh af.... she's a primadonna on stage. i feel so robbed that the album isn't on spotify. (spoilers: it is) straight shooter: i like how old toilets didn't have big toilet tanks behind you. so this song says "i don't play GAMES ☝️" but they want love. i like it. got a feelin': another slow love song 😭 they think their bae cheating i call your name: it starts slow and changes pace throughout. this song is interesting! i think it goes to an offbeat on the chorus. really cool do you wanna dance: i imagined me asking eggy to dance

Fun and quick listen. I enjoy their sound. I already knew a few tracks but am happy I listened to the whole album. Would likely listen again

Some songs are cool, some give me a headache. Also, the rapey incest dude grosses me out.

Some amazing songs but also some forgettable filler tracks.

3/5. I don’t think anyone could listen to this and dislike it. Just a solid album reminiscent of the Beatles and I’m sure a band making an effort to capture a bit of their success with similar music and instrumentation.

Not a huge fan of most of it but it gets better throughout the album until California dreaming and goes a bit down again after

It was ok. Had heard some songs before

Better than average 60s pop. Vocal arrangements are excellent, and the backing by Wrecking Crew regulars is reliably solid. I found that I preferred the originals to the covers on this record. Monday Monday and California Dreamin' are stone-cold classics, and worth the price of admission alone. I acknowledge and appreciate John Phillip's role in organising the Monterey Pop Festival, which was a watershed moment in 60s counter-culture. But he is also one of the worst human beings ever to live. It puts a nasty aftertaste on everything he touches. Wanna blow your mind? Check out the Denial cover of California Dreamin': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_tP6LPLjJY

Classic again.

Good, but outside of California Dreamin', which is a definite 5/5, mostly forgettable. This kinda made me realize how different popular music was back then. BT - California Dreamin' - Go Where You Wanna Go - Monday Monday

Very 60s pop. Love the bass tone and rhythm. Tight vocal harmonies Spanish Harlem sounds a lot like Little Drummer Boy

Very pleasant.

I’m getting an awful lot in a similar genre and era and a lot of them seem to have slept with each other lol. It’s getting a bit boring tbh. Give me some variety supposedly random generator. This is pleasant, love the harmonies and obviously there are a couple of bangers. And that ‘The ‘In’ Crowd’ song which if I recall correctly was the theme tune for’Film’ whatever with Barry Norman. And poor Cass, derided for her weight and turned down by Denny while the rest of them were entangled. Swithering between a 3 and a 4. I’ll say it again; I wish there was a 3.5 or marks out of 10. Oh, and it’s hilarious that the cover was deemed obscene and the toilet had to be covered up. Americans, eh? 🙄 PS those apostrophes are so annoying!

gives the beatles a run for their money when it comes to being unlistenable through one headphone. some absolute classic bangers that stand out, but not as much as I thought they would - a real testament to the quality of this album. best tracks: monday monday, california dreamin, do you wanna dance

Innocent. I do miss the era where a typical album clocked in at less than 40 minutes. Nice vocals, but a bit treacly songwriting.

p90. 1966. 3.5 stars. Classy folk-rock harmonies that stray dangerously into middle of the road easy listening. When it's good, its excellent - California Dreaming is a classic - but a lot of the time it's just bland.

I own several Mamas and Papas albums, but it's been years since I listened. I found I couldn't do it now, with all the stuff that's come out about John Phillips. I didn't listen past the first song, and while I could appreciate the genius of their harmonies, I just couldn't enjoy listening to the music of a rapist.

I'll have to give it a few more listens

California Dreamin' carries this album. Also enjoyed Monday, Monday, Spanish Harlem, and The "In" Crowd. I'd probably rate this a 6/10 based solely on California Dreamin'. On second listen with better speakers I'd give it 8/10. Really solid album.

I love the 60's vibe but it seems like it's in a style that is somewhere between 60s pop and psychedelia. This lands on several songs but a few of them aren't for me and too poppy.

The harms are immaculate, and it grooves in offensively throughout, but it needs more bops.

California dreamin on kova ja pari muutakin kivaa biisiä. Vastapainoksi muutama tavanomainen rallattelu.

Veeeery sleepy music.

Paar goede hits, maar over het algemeen toch braaf en saai.

snoozefest with a few iconic hits

ТУАЛЕТ И ЛУЧШЕ КАЙФА НЕТ ЧЕМ НОВЫЙ ТУАЛЕТ СТОИТ В САДУ СВЕРКАЕТ ОТРАЖАЯ СОЛНЦА СВЕТ БУМБУБМПЫЩЩЩЩЧЗЗВХХХДЧЛЖХХБЖЖЖЖЖЖ Лучше чем Velvet Underground нахуй 6/10

Sympathique mais sans plus. California Dreaming est emblématique, mais y'a pas de profondeur derrière, ce sont des bluettes un peu lisses

Sympa et très marqué par son époque, même si pas transcendant. Écoute agréable sans plus.

Some good songs,few meh

It’s pretty impressive to hear a band so fully formed in their debut. Their biggest songs are on this album, to my knowledge. The production — especially the hard panning on the opening track — is very of its time, but it has a warmth to it. Excellent vocal performances of course. I wish they were upfront in the mix more frequently, and not hard panned like on “Do you Wanna Dance”. The songwriting is a little anodyne for my tastes. The album feels like an alternate path pop music could have taken, if Sergeant Pepper never happened. I don’t think I’ll finish this album, but I appreciate it within its historical context.

pretty good for that decade.

I still remember the first time I heard California Dreaming - literally stopped me on my feet and becry 'what the f*@£ is that' - I don't think there are many more evocative, sharp tracks, pop or otherwise ever created. Everything else was going to be a bit downhill after that wasn't it?

Monday Monday and California Dreaming are rightful classics, but looking at the album as a whole, none of the other songs come close. I would even go as far as calling them boring.

One great song, some good songs, some average songs, and some bad songs. And John Phillips should have died in jail. I don’t believe in Hell, but if there’s one man who is guaranteed a spot down there, it’s him.

Like almost every other reviewer here, I think California Dreamin' carries this record. Though Got A Feelin' is also pretty good. Never listened to a full Mamas and Papas album before

Best song: California dreaming

Un bon petit rock n' roll qui s'écoute bien. Pas blown away, mais c'est très respectable. Ça fait très été, sans soucis, joyeux, etc. 7/10

Nice harmonies. Simple ish music, sing along style. Seems to be a lot of covers. Lovely music but probably won't go back to it

71/100

makes u feel like ur living in a time u can afford to buy a house

You know how when you open an old photo album from the '60s, the pages are stuck together and there's a distinct, old musty paper smell? That's what listening to this album reminds me of. Old people music that's super unfamiliar. Early blues and standards from Ray Charles & Frank Sinatra, or '60s pop from Dusty Springfield all do a really good job of evoking emotion and non-existent memories from decades past, but this one just feels like generic, radio-friendly old people music. It's like looking at those old family photos and recognizing zero faces. But despite that, you can't help but look and observe, just like you can't help but take in this record and appreciate it for what it was. It has a strange appeal, starting out as something that sounds unrelatable before it draws you in with that same "ancient-ness" that's so far removed from today's music. I'm rambling, but all that is to say that even though this record didn't evoke much emotion or feeling in me, I kinda dug it. Standouts are I Call Your Name, California Dreamin', and Spanish Harlem.

I had high expectations for this, and that's probably my fault. The singles are good, the rest is just kind of there.

Monday, Monday // Got A Feelin’ // I Call Your Name // California Dreamin’ // Hey Girl // 2.5/5

The hits have definitely stood the test of time. The other tracks . . . not so much. Fairly lifeless treatment of covers like Do You Wanna Dance and Spanish Harlem. The other originals felt stuck in their era. I found myself wondering when Mama Cass was going to take a deserving spot at center stage, and was disappointed by more and more songs with John and Denny out in front.

I'm listening to this in the sun - this is definitely a summer album (which I then confirmed on the wiki page) Monday, Monday feels like a classic 60s pop song. Comfy and nostalgic. Enjoyed this. Straight shooter - it's good but sounds a LOT like a beatles song. Very beatles-esque. Too much for my liking. Got a feelin - Just want to sit in the sun and brood in sadness with this one. Melancholic summery gloop Call your name - quite like this one. can imagine this being played in a sentimental film or tv show. A highlight for me. do you wanna dance - Nice. I prefer this to the beach boy's version go where you wanna go - probably my least favourite so far. It's so-so. California dreamin - despite being their classic song, and im already well familiar with it, didn't enjoy it as much as expected Spanish harlem - think we're getting more into the filler songs. just feels OK. By the time we get to 'hey girl' (another beatles-esque song), it's all starting to feel a little samey. The quality is wearing off. The in crowd - An unremarkable song Something I can appreciate with this one - the songs don't go on too long. It's easy pop listening, really. Overall, it had some good points but it won't last in my memory as something spectacular. I'd recommend this to Beatles fan boys. Can't give this anymore than 3 stars.

If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears is the debut album by the American folk rock band Mamas & the Papas released in 1966. This platinum certified album peaked at the top spot of the Billboard 200 chart in the US after release and was praised for being so accessible to any type of music listener. The folksy harmonies backed by acoustic guitars gave the album a groovy vibe which could go without being stated since the album released in the mid-60's. I enjoyed this album and for half an hour (recorded length) I was transported back to the years of love, hugs, hippies, and drugs. There were some standout tracks, but I believe it would be best to listen to the entire album so one can discover them on their own.

Some good songs, some very cheesy ones.

Bra musikk, det er veldig beach boys og Beatlespreget, men da jeg leste at han ene sangeren er en incestuøs pedo mistet jeg interessen

Meh. Some good songs, but I didn't love it

California Dreamin' and Monday, Monday are otherworldly candy-harmony pop delights. The rest of the album is pretty forgettable, but pleasant. Lots of harmonies stacked on harmonies... though a bit boring.

They have a very definite shtick which you're probably going to like or dislike without much in-between. I like it, though I do think a whole album of sunny close-harmony folk-pop (even a relatively short one) is a little much for me. So it's kinda corny and quite dated, but I do enjoy a lot of it. Great melodies and, of course, harmonies. Best song: Spanish Harlem

Remember hearing my mother play this one , great group

Lekker sfeervol wegdromen met deze 60’s meerstemmigheid. Een heel album is wel wat veel van het goede..

Not for me but great recording

It's pretty good from start to finish. One song stands out: California dreaming

I only knew one song, California dreaming, and I was extra excited when that song came up lol. Was listening to the album during a long drive, I got sleepy after a series of songs that I dont know. Almost all of the albums listed here, I listened to in the background. I would like to pay more attention when listening to them somehow. 3.5/5

6.5/10 - I certainly don't dislike this, the innocent, catchy melodies and harmonies make many of these tracks a fun listen, however I feel as though there is only so much of this 60s, summery, LA sound I can listen to before feeling like I've heard the whole album. I'll always maintain that California dreamin is one of the greatest songs of all time, and there are a handful of other tracks that I enjoyed, although, as a whole, this didn't quite do it for me. Would not listen again Favourite tracks - Monday, Monday Straight shooter l call your name (primarily because it's a Beatles cover) California dreamin

Showing its age a bit, but good to hear it again.

Music is a bit dull. Just like their band name.

Exemplaire de la musique des années 60. J’aime que les voix masculines et féminines ne soient pas toujours sous forme de question-réponse, mais souvent en harmonie

I like Monday Monday and California Dreamin’, but not the rest.

The Walmart version of mid-career Beatles. I wanted to hate this, but the songs are really catchy and infectious. The male vocals are cheesy, but the female vocals are quite good, with a good bit of attitude in 'em. The Mama's carry the Papa's here.

Dorky but sweet

Nice harmonies, very 60s

Horrible cover, ridiculous name. Now that’s out of the way. I went into this album fully expecting to love every second of it. Their harmonies are beyond wonderful and “California Dreamin’” is one of those songs that I could play on repeat forever and never grow tired of. Unfortunately I don’t feel the same towards the rest of the album. It’s quite good and I really do like those harmonies a lot. It just rarely moves me. It’s as if it’s too polished for its own good. Too far removed from the original emotions of the songs.

California Dreamin' is a banger, surrounded by a bunch of solid harmonies, etc!

This is in my wheelhouse but this was before albums were albums. Back then, basically before the Beatles - but also during - they put a single out then would add it to an album of filler tracks and covers, which this essentially is. I enjoy the original material on this but not the album.

Very 60s. I definitely preferred the female sung songs instead, they felt more fun than the male led songs

Standouts: California Dreamin; The ‘In’ Crowd

Good

I can listen to it in the background while working or cooking. However, it's nothing special.

cute! all kinda runs together though?

Dynamite singles, impressive vocal harmonies throughout. Not as immediately captivating as some of the other breakthrough '60s pop but definitely a breezy listen. 3.5/5

Classic stuf

그 시절을 살지 않았어도 느껴진 노스탤지어 4번-9번 트랙 추천

Pretty nice hippie-dippie nonsense

This is a very personal bias, but I cannot fucking STAND how old albums are mixed like this one. Each instrument and voice shouldn’t be in a different ear. It instantly pisses me off. That being said, I didn’t actively dislike any of the songs on this album, but it got repetitive fast. Good but not great.

Thought this was ok, but nothing special. 2.5/5

I’ve always respected the Mamas and the Papas more than I really liked them. This is a nice album, they have lovely voices, but I don’t think that I’d really choose to listen to it. C

Beside the big hits I was surprised but the style of music it was. More of a beach boys style than I was expediting.

Alright. Very twee

I can hear the drugs. Not bad though.

Two maybe three good songs, but the two are very good, unique in style, and classics. Rest of the album: meh.

Music is much better than the album art.

Fine album with a couple major hits. Everyone has performed California Dreamin' in 5th grade music class.

Feels like a Beatles album in a lot of ways. Nice mixing and vocals but I’m just not crazy about it.

Это не плохой миленький фолк-рок из 60-х, довольно неплохие песни есть, но мне не нравятся где то процентов 40 песен на этом альбоме. Если хотите окунуться в популярную музыку той эпохи - то рекомендую слушать, но сейчас он слушается не прям, что очень хорошо

Not too bad. A couple of good songs, but just a little too boring and melancholic to keep my attention throughout. The vocals are nice though. Additionally, this may be the first album so far in the list that I can say I have a bit of an issue with in terms of stereo mixing. I appreciate records that make creative use of stereo, but this was far too wide. Maybe I'll seek out a mono version of this if I decide to listen again someday. Favourite: California Dreamin'

Een fijne plaat, met ‘Monday, monday’ en ‘California dreamin’ als bekende deuntjes.

Obviously very familiar with the huge hits from this record, but not so much else from this band. This album is pretty meticulously arranged with beautiful harmonies. Very pleasant listen. Really evocative of a very specific time and place with the mid-60s AM radio gold sound.

Very good surprised how many I actually knew

There's some classic stuff here, but doesn't do much for me. I'm not a huge fan of big full group harmonies that were popularized by CSNY, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, and The Mama's and the Papa's but there are definitely some songs that overcome that particular grievance of mine. 5/10

Fine. Some classic hits.

the classics were good

Released in 1966, the album showcases the group's unique harmonies and eclectic musical style, blending elements of folk, rock, and pop to create a sound that is very catchy. The album opens with "Monday, Monday," the band's breakthrough hit also serves as one of my favorites on the entire thing. The song's bright melodies and intricate harmonies immediately set the tone for the rest of the album, which features a mix of upbeat tracks like "Got a Feelin'" and "Straight Shooter" alongside more contemplative tunes like "California Dreamin'" and "Go Where You Wanna Go." The album also features covers of two classic folk songs: "The In Crowd" and "Do You Wanna Dance?" The band's interpretations of these songs add their own unique twist. Overall this is a decent record and a very solid debut. Their blend of folk, rock, and pop creates a unique sound that feels nostalgic, and their intricate vocal harmonies add a layer of complexity to their music that is very enjoyable.

bisschen eintönig aber an sich stark

California dreaming top. Ansonsten ganz schön aber auch etwas unoriginell und teilweise langweilig. 5-6/10

Nothing exactly groundbreaking to come out of the 60s

Album cover is the epitome of what the internet would call a “blursed image”… Choons were pleasant and wholesome to be fair, like a Beach-Boys-lite

A couple of nice classic songs, but found the rest a bit slow...

Pitch slide singing is bad. Having only heard greatest hits, there were some other good songs here like In crowd. Classic M&P harmony. Some songs sound creepy, is that from movies/media that use M&P in a creepy context? California Dreamin’ is kind of a masterpiece.

Great debut that has their biggest hits. Embarrassing that they didn’t understand how to spell their name in the beginning.

This has a number of classic hits. They are definitely period pieces that only work if your in the mood for nostalgia. It has a few losers in there as well. While the songs are good, the album is mediocre. I'd rather hear the songs in a '60s mix than listen to the whole album again. Scale: 5 - My absolute favorites. 4 - Albums I like. 3 - It was ok to listen to but I wouldn't seek it out. 2 - Didn't like. 1 - Absolute shit.

Not every track on this album is as good as Monday, Monday and California Dreamin' - there is much standard mit 60s Pop music here (I find Spanish Harlem especially dreadful). The Beatles and Beach Boys influences are hard to ignore, but while, most of the time, I'm missing the spark that made both of these bands stand out, altogether this album holds up well enough. 3/5

That was a nice album to listen to. First half better than the second, even though California Dreaming is the most recognizable. Almost had more range than just folk songs, but they were done well enough for me not to care about the lack of range. Wasn't incredibly original either with a fair number of the songs being covers and not that different from their source material. I liked the album, but apart from maybe two or three songs, there really isn't much here. 3/5

3.5/5

Good album, mainly easy listening but not too exciting, has good song songs but nothing mind boggling and it’s mainly just a good listen, but nothing I personally love

Definitive "summer of love" soundtrack. It has the sunny, sweet harmonies that are so cozy and simple. Also has the incredible California Dreamin', what a powerhouse. The rest is also good but man does nothing on here beat California Dreamin'. Solid stuff.

Fine

Странно давать 3 звезды после того итальяшки из 50х, но тоже строго хиппи, слушать можно любому. Строго в жанре, но прям включай и слушай. Три звезды потому что не отвал башки

California dreaming

good

Well-crafted and carefully confected, with lovely, near-sublime harmonies, but it's light to the point of weightlessness – on the substance, it’s just slightly heftier than the Carpenters. It also seems quite contrived and opportunistic in capitalizing on the ethos of hippiedom/grooviness. The strings are the giveaway, cheesing things up quite a bit in ways designed for middle-market appeal. Indeed, the hits are hits for a reason – primarily, the inoffensive enjoyability. In another era, they would've been a barbershop quartet or a variety show act (perfectly at home on the Sonny and Cher show or the Osmonds, but not totally out of place on Lawrence Welk, even). "Do You Want to Dance" sounds so square that it's hip, "The In Crowd" reads less satirical than the group choosing ill-suited material (same is true of "Spanish Harlem"). Overall, too wholesome and milky to be remotely edgy or cool, the feeling is of tame, proto-chamber pop, and their version suffers considerably in comparison to that of the Beach Boys.

Pleasant enough to listen to. Less pleasant to read about them!

C'è "California Dreamin'", un capolavoro. Il resto è molto basic

Some nostalgia here with several of these songs. But honestly, the album was just fine. It sounded a bit dated and was...non-offensive.

6/10 ehhhh i know how influetnial it is but . why

6/10. Yeah, this is a pretty good album, but also I remembered these songs sounding a bit less boring than they are.

California Dreamin' is like a song out of a collective memory. Spanish Harlem is a creepy as fuck song. Its a fine 60s record.

California dreaming xx

Didn’t get to listen on a Monday, Monday. What were they thinking?

Yes, it's aged, but you got to hand it to the band, they did wonderful things harmonising their voices. As usual, most of the songs on this albums are duds, but the famous tracks fully deserve to be. At least they made them short back then (albums, that is).

ALLTHELEAVESAREBROWN

Hippy!

Alright but heavily influenced by better bands of the time

3.75

a pleasant grab bag of feel-good oldies. 2 legendary songs and a lot of filler. 3.5/5

Nice

Kuuntele mahdollisesti uudestaan Hyvää 60-luvun radiomaista rockia, tulee jokin mieleen mutta en tiedä mikä. Melkein 4 tähteä, mutta laitetaan 3

Some great tracks on this album. Fantastic harmonies.

Cute album cover...

I enjoy the Mamas and the Papas in general, and "California Dreamin'" is inarguably great, but the rest of the album's less remarkable. They lose points for breaking my cardinal rule of covers: if you're going to cover a song, make sure it's as good or better than the original. Nearly half the album is comprised of covers (five out of twelve), most notably "I Call Your Name," "Do You Wanna Dance," and "Spanish Harlem," and none of them clear that bar. That said, they've all got great voices and I don't dislike anything here. This is a three-star album if ever I saw one.

weak version of all what made the 60s great. simple short songs and simple tunes. over and over. male female vocals is what makes them unique. in 66 other bands were experimenting and doing other creative things. these are not. the whole album sounds the same.

California Dreamin' is undeniably a fantastic song, and as a life-long Californian myself, I FEEL this song on a visceral level. But the rest of this album is something I basically suffered through. With only a few exceptions, I am not a fan of the 60s folk-influenced vocal harmonies, which I find to be too sweet and lacking in any interesting dissonance. Several bands fall into this category for me, including the Byrds (so well-represented on this list) and the Mamas and the Papas. It's fine, it's just not my thing. I feel like I can feel my teeth start to ache after three or four songs ...

It felt very chill, but not something that I think I'm going to come back to

Delightful sunshine pop and Laurel Canyon vibes

6,5/10

3 TIL Monday, Monday is by The Mamas and the Papas. True classic, that one. That song and this album have a lot of the 60s tropes that I find interesting and endearing. I think it reminds me a lot of The Monkees, who I’m extremely nostalgic about. The harmonies I found to be really nice and well done. They are ultimately what I think gives this album legs. The middle gets pretty run of the mill so I’m pretty whelmed by this one. A vanilla but well executed 60s album

A classic and still timelessly beautiful

3.7

Some nice tracks on here. The whole thing is a bit boomery though

Nice songs, well performed. Still felt quite dated and had a few bland songs.

The two massive hits are brilliant. The rest is a bit wishy washy. The vocal harmonies give an interesting different texture but it also seems very twee.

cozy listening, very pleasant. nothing jarring or irritating. 3.

feels a bit disconnected idk how to describe it

I never really got the appeal of this group. Definitely some classics on here and (I suppose) an iconic album in some senses. I guess I just prefer the dirty hippie music to the more polished, happy, sunshiny hippies.

More dull than I thought, especially given how short the songs are. California Dreamin is obviously a highlight but even then Bill Withers did it better. The rest is fine, twee, good to rock your head too while walking around a garden in wellies. A bit like the Magic Numbers before the Magic Numbers, but no one remembers them (and probably for good reason)

Niet slecht, niet super goed ook

100% soundtrack de um musical. música para ouvir enquanto se passeia num bairro americano típico de filmes de Hollywood

Was not vibin at all at first but California dreaming saved it for me

Interesting

6/10 solid

California dreaming is quality. Probably a daft thing to say but the album felt very dated. Was ok though

Some great songs. Sounds like white stripes got inspiration from them

A relatively short album. Several of the songs were recognizable. It is that has that 60s sound of folk and pop. California Dreamin is the best song on the album.

Mummy

Lush well crafted '60s harmonic folk-pop.

¿Es el disco de California Dreamin'? Es el disco de California Dreamin'. El resto de las canciones no son malas pero no son de la calidad de California. Quitando esta última, las mejores son Straight Shooter y Monday, Monday. El sonido de la banda me gusta aunque tampoco se me hace un disco memorable. 2 es muy poco y 3 se me hace generoso, pero en esta ocasión corrieron con suerte.

La verdad es que podría ser un álbum absolutamente olvidable de no ser por California Dreaming' que junto con otro par de rolas define el sonido de la época. Curioso el cover a The Beatles y también Monday Monday es una rola decente, pero el resto llega a ponerse aburrido.

Pretty good album, but California Dreamin is probably the only song I will go back for

10/06/2022 Damn, this album launched me back to high school, which is fitting bc listening at 23 just wasn't as enjoyable of an experience. Idk what it is about this album that just doesn't do it for me anymore, nothing is inherently wrong with it, it just doesn't bring anything particularly outstanding or special. -- Pretty standard day, not too much going on. Phillip is coming to visit tomorrow, hopefully we will have a full and fun weekend <3

I’m glad I can now say I have listened to a Mamas and Papas album, but at the same time I could’ve gone my whole life without listening to it and been fine.

3.5

wistful and soothing

Fun listen, reminiscent of driving around in a droptop with your friends Even putting aside my bias against the jangly and dazzling sound of the time period, I had difficulty connecting with any of the tracks. I have a hard time remembering the second half of the album, I'll drum that up to my lack of interest in the style and listening to it at work Highlights: California Dreamin', Straight Shooter I'll probably revisit sometime later in my life, when i can take the time to really invest my attention

My grandpa listened to them

3.7 - Sunny pop with rich harmonies reminiscent of “Pet Sounds” but without the same jazz-inflected emotional depth. “California Dreamin’” and “Monday, Monday” are obvious standouts and there’s some easy listening bubble gum throughout.

Vocals are so loud, like 3x as loud as the drums. beetje knullig. zit wel goed in mekaar maar het doet me niet zoveel

Obviously California Dreamin' is a timeless classic. As for the other tracks, they are nice to listen to, but not quite as timeless

Made me think of the Monkees

Trevligt. Passade bra att laga mat till :)

This was okay. California Dreaming is a 1 star song and the rest didn't fuck me off.

I like them, but I thought this album as a whole was just okay. Nothing really special to me.

One of the few sunshine pop albums consistently good all throughout, and possibly the one that popularized the genre in the late 60s. It's groovy with fun singalong tracks but also peaceful folk-like tracks. Incorporates several psychedelic elements, such as the trance-like "Got a Feelin." Puts a spin on other types of pop at the time. Lots of covers look back to 50s traditional pop but put a groovy, almost Beatlesesque rock n roll spin to them. I'm always a sucker for harmonious vocals, and the instrumentation is really light and fun, especially with the strings. I do like the diverse styles, but I'm disappointed how the two massive singles are objectively far superior to any of the other tracks, which indicates potential for an incredible album. There are a few songs, especially toward the end that I just do not see much merit in. Mixing is weird with the completely separate channels but otherwise sounds good. Not bad by a group of psychopaths. Out of the four members, one slept with every rock musician, one impregnated his own daughter and injected her with cocaine, and one suffocated to death on a ham sandwich. Favorites: Monday Monday, Got a Feelin, I Call Your Name, Go Where You Wanna Go California Dreamin, Spanish Harlem, The In Crowd

Fine, pretty old sounding but lots of nice harmonies and probably pretty influential at the time

At first I was worried this would be happy-go-lucky disconnected smile pop from the 70s, but I got the sense that as the album progressed the drugs and depth came in…ha!

California Dreaming is a great song but the rest kinda just blend together. Not my cup of tea but still enjoyable to listen to. 3.5 but not good enough to round to 4.

Pop Rock. Se hace un poco aburrido.