If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears

Day906 - “california dreamin” alone makes this a great album and then throw in “monday monday” and “you can go where you want to go” and you got yourself a stew baby.

THIS ALBUM IS SO FUCKING GOOD

So much nostalgia.. Artistically I could say so much but the sentimental part gets me and mesmerizes so much so that I could listen to them for hours. Once I had fallen asleep on a roadtrip listening just to them and dreamed with their music. Thats more than just notes and chords yaknow?? Favourite tracks: Monday, Monday; Straight Shooter, California Dreamin’

Preference - 3 Musicianship - 1 Legacy - 1 Total - 5

So many bangers! “California Dreamin’” and “Monday, Monday,” to be sure. But also songs like “Spanish Harlem,” “Go Where You Wanna Go,” and “I Call Your Name.” And no other band sounded like this. Swoon.

Hey! It’s been a while since I got an album where I already have a track saved. This’ll be a treat! I love California Dreamin’. Great song. I heard it at a baseball game recently; might have been someone’s walk up song or something. I Call Your Name was so good. Who knew a Beatles song could sound so good. Thank you Cass Elliott for blessing my ears. Christ, this was a great one. Just a really talented, harmonious group of people. Their version of Spanish Harlem was just mesmerizing and I’m willing to bet it’s gonna be one of my most listened-to songs for the month. 5.

I was sooo happy I got this album. I love California Dreamin’. And today was a good day to listen this album cause the weather was perfect. All rainy and cloudy. So I could get the fillings better. Honestly I want to be in California now too. 😭

acho que essa combinação das vozes pegou muito forte, gostei bastante da instrumentação, acho que tem aquela vibe mesmo anos 60, gosto bastante dessa parada e no mais o álbum supera bastante do que eu achei que seria, as vozes preencheram lugares que não tinham onde ir e assim esse álbum ganha um lugar interessante

Love

I don't have a single bad thing to say! Just delightful

This album is definitely an all timer for me. My parents listened to it all the time growing up and I always think to save it and forget. So I'm glad it's come up now.

so lovely, 4.5

- each song is different in its own tune and vibe - the vocals are genuinely perfect idk - Cass Elliot yes - The songs feel so short eventhough most of them are really long ones (probably has to do with it being good, glaze ik.)

# Album Name: If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears # Artist: Mamas and the Papas # Rating: 5/5 # Comments: What a great album. Love the 60s vibes. Id imagine a lot of babies were made listening to this album. # Top Tunes: Whole thing # Would I listen to it again? Yes

An album synonymous with the 60s. The covers here while don't surpass the originals by any margin carry the band's iconic sound. Always felt "Straight Shooter" was heavily underrated, that bass line is cold. "Go Where You Wanna Go" aka "Michelle Phillips wants to fuck around" is also a heavy hitter to me.

One iconic song, two other good ones. And never really went anywhere as a band. But like giants compared to the previous 15 albums, which were so blah I didn't bother scoring them at all.

Wow, it's incredibly how dated it sounds, comparing it to other 60s stuff... But those great vocal harmonies makes up for it. Best track: Got A Feelin'

very pleasant

I thought I recognised the style and the vocalists and I did! I grew up listening to some of their songs and this album is brilliant and surprisingly nostalgic for me. I'd give this a 4.5 any day of the week and if that means rounding my rating I'll happily round it up to a 5/5 because it's absolutely my kind of music, nostalgia or not<3

An iconic hippie album in 1966…a new sound of blending voices. California Dreaming is my fave…brings back my youth!

absolute peak. classic favorite

Excellent album. Enjoyed every song. Love the harmonies and Denny Doherty’s lead vocals. You get to go back to a beautiful time with this one.

Um clássico é um clássico, né, não tem jeito <3

I love their harmonies. Of course, California Dreamin' is a fucking straight-A banger. Monday Monday is also just pop perfection. I love this type of 60s music, even some of the more dated sounding songs are great.

Joya!

Excellent sound engineering. I was expecting the harmonies, but the bass lines surprised me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this.

imponente.

Lovely to listen to. Made me want a road trip

Very solid

firest album ever wow

Maailman typerin bändin nimi! Olen joskus nimen kuullut mutta en tiennyt yhtään biisiä, en edes California Dreamin’ia. Hitokseen hittejä tällä albumilla. Ikivihreitä. Kuulostaa 1960-luvulle mutta jotenkin positiivisesti. Einyhtään huonos biisiä. Itse asiassa ihan mieletön albumi. Kestohittejä ties vielä montako kymmentä vuotta. 5/5

Fabulous and classic

Iconic group of musicians I’ve always loved their music

60s music. Great.

I love The Mammas and the Papas. So much.

Love it

Yes! Love The Mamas & The Papas and this album is fantastic from top to bottom. The sound amazing, the songs are great, and there are some stunning covers in addition to originals. Most of my favorite of their songs are on this album, and I discovered so I’ve never heard before but now love. A very easy 5 stars.

Classic is often over used, but this is a Classic Album among the few classics of all time.

California dreaming into a great album from this time

Knew a lot more songs on here then I expected.

Somewhat a nostalgic rating in that I heard this in both of my parents' households growing up, it also captures a certain sense of California that I felt growing up in the state.

Lovely! Very chill.

I love this bubbly pop SpongeBob type music

A vivid and powerful picture of love in the sixties.

Beautiful harmonies. Perfectly blended folksy-poppy good time. It was exactly what I needed at the moment. 5/5

The vocals including the harmonies are just incredible on this album. Instrumentals are amazing too. Some of the lyrics are extremely cheesy, even for me, but I still love this album.

Gammalkoselig pop rock fra mødrene og fedrene. Albumet med den legendariske California Dreamin’, i tillegg til et drøss med andre gode låter. Top 3: California Dreamin’, Straight Shooter, Go Where You Wanna Go

Yeah, I love these guys. Incredible songwriting and arranging by John Philips, fantastic vocals, mostly by Denny and of course their not-so-secret-weapon, Cass, and then it's all pulled together thanks to incredible Wrecking Crew sessions musicians. (Plus their covers always so interesting. "I Call Your Name" is one of my favorite Beatles covers.) What a great group and what a phenomenal debut. Yes, there are a couple of meh songs on here, but the rest are simply stunning. This one and their third album Deliver are sunny California '60s music at its absolute peak.

I enjoyed this so much. I wish Mama Cass had a longer life and we could have heard so much more from her.

Oddly enough I was never a huge fan of this group. Back when they were current I thought they were above average at best. But after listening to the absolute crap that gets out on this list day after day these folks sound like heaven. Five stars just to fight back against the Limp Bizkits and Radioheads of the world (not to mention groups even worse who were so bad you can’t recall their names).

Yeah, you know you could throw out most of white people music in the 60s, even 70s if somebody dug deep enough in any artist's history. Not trying to justify what he did at all, fuck the guy, but I do believe we can disconnect the art from the artist to some extent. So keeping that in mind, they do sound like some other bands in the 60s, but I think this album of theirs can stand toe-to-toe with some early Beatles records and Beach Boys joints. I think this with it's 35 minutes is a non-stop banger after banger. It's crazy how there are no real skips on a record from 1966. It is one dimensional by today's standards, but it's just perfect for what it is. Tempted to give it a lower score, because of John, but I loved the record and it's sound. So it is a 5 for me.

Great album! Lots of instruments and different genres all in one. The whole album flows so nicely song to song, and the arrangement of each piece seems really well thought out.

Some beautiful songs...

I have always loved The Mamas and the Papas. Mama Cass can sing me anything she wants. Oddly enough, my two favorite M&P songs are not on this album. Wtf is with The Mama's and the Papa's tho. Good god. I can barely bring myself to type it.

banger, so many good songs on this album, very cohesive, love the sound 4.5/5

All beautiful and amazing and feel good, it feels like the weather is getting warmer and I’m in the convertible roof down, sunset

10/10

Good times great oldies.

A very pleasant listen. Maybe it’s more a weak 4.5, but with California Dreamin being such a banger I’m gonna go to 5.

This album is a quick hit period piece with fun songs and is featured on the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood soundtrack, one of my faves. An easy 4.5 rounded up.

I don't know what to tell you, this is so good. A couple low points (Spanish Harlem, Do You Wanna Dance) but mostly love it. Straight Shooter and Somebody Groovy are great.

Fire

IT’S JUST AMAZING

It's brilliant. Never actually listened to them other than knowing the big hits. These songs stand the test of time and you can hear how much they have influenced those who have followed.

Monday Morning has been overplayed but this is a surprisingly enjoyable album, nice harmonies and some really nice moments. Hight 4

Landmark album.

18/02/2026 *1. monday, monday - immediately very beach boys.... 60s wall of sound save me..... reallly love all the vocals. the strings!!!! the chorus!!!! *2. straight shooter - more rockier? bass is reallll nice.... their voices together are sosososo nice! love it! *3. got a feelin - soo beautiful immediately.... love the ticking sound in the back and the bells.... gorgeous singing..... soft guitar..... bit psychedelic? *4. i call your name - piano. cass eliot.... tempo change..... love the bass... fantastic ending! 5. do you wanna dance - the strings and backing vocals just kicked in.... sweet.... enjoyed the other songs more though :) 6. go where you wanna go - strings! the lyrics aren't as joyful as the music.... contrapuntal.... loved it! *7. california dreamin - already great! flute solo! drums and bass are really nice together. *8. spanish harlem - love the harmonies.... very dreamy.... *9. somebody groovy - nice drumming.... bass is great! *10. hey girl - bass break! loved it <3 11. you baby - kindof surfy? loved it, but a bit too cheesy for me. *12. the "in" crowd - cass eliot.... 60s easy listening/baroque pop #1 fan!!! was expecting california dreamin to be my favourite from here, but got a feelin was completely beautiful, will be on repeat indefinitely, literally listening to it as i'm typing. beautiful album, may be cheesy and schmaltzy but it hits some niche in my brain that makes it go haywire! love it!!!!!

оч попало в настроение поплакать

Iconic album cover containing a grammatical error and a toilet... Michelle's banana eating on Ed Sullivan in protest of lipsyncing California Dreamin'... Infidelity between band mates well before Fleetwood Mac formed... ...sometimes legacy tips the scale.

best album oat

i had a run sometime last year where I listened exclusively to this album for a month

California dreamin

Mår så himla bra av att lyssna på det här! Till skillnad från senaste två albumen är det här ett jag bara vill höra om och om igen. En glad femma!

Älskar ju det här! Blir bara glad av att lyssna på mamas&papas och när albumet var slut slog jag på det igen. Stämningen och stämsången är bedårande. Inte en solklar 5a men det får den ändå.

Good times music! Finns fan inte en ton som ligger fel här, underbart rakt igenom!

I LOVED this album I would 100% listen again

4.5 the A side is probably one of my favourite chunks of music like ever. just brilliant faves: straight shooter, monday monday, california dreamin, somebody groovy

already love this album, i have it on vintage vinyl 😛

Una mica de hipisime sempre va bé!

great album ⭐️

Hell Yea!

Really good. Classic jams.

California day

I mean for early pop this was it. Lyrically pretty amazing. Very well done and hard to dislike.

Classic USA Folk

Good stuff!

Yeah this one is just fantastic! Great album!

Love it. Own it.

Really glad I gave this group a proper listen. The harmonies are extraordinary.

This is lightning in a bottle. I could say more but I will leave it at that.

Such a great album cover. How many albums have a toilet on the cover? Not enough.

Groovy

Fabulous!

Fun classic 50s vibe with newer 60s experimental sprinkled throughout. Harmonies are amazing

Great album- some songs so iconic that i will break out into song if i so much as read the title great study music

Nice classic album!

9-10

Such a great album it is amazing to me that they were able to keep going after having written their greatest song "California Dreaming".

Dødsgøy 10/10 Mulig albumet traff riktig dag, men dette var bra

Hard pan stereo - slightly disorienting. Fantastic songs.

This was such a fantastic listen. I love how well everyone’s vocals just blend into an incredibly cohesive and lovely sound, almost like a trance. It’s all just so good, I adored this record. Best Track: Got A Feelin’

Does this bring back memories of first year at college. Monday, Monday and California Dreaming two of my all-time favorites. Great production for the time.

Classic after classic. Great album.

caaalifooornia dreeeeeamiiin

Absolutely a classic

5/5. Although I'm pretty heard I've heard every 60's pop album under the sun, this one felt different. I do think it's the creativity with well known songs and taking alternate avenues with how to go about song writing. The production is fantastic and feels at a high quality compared to other albums at the time. There also feels like there is a darker undertone here, like subtle messaging with these "love" songs. This album and band feels like it inspired bands like Abba and Fleetwood Mac, a conversation within the band itself. And this one was really good as well. Best Song: Monday Monday, Go Where You Wanna Go, Straight Shooter, You Baby

fantastiskt höstalbum

ABsolute fire

Monday, Monday, Straight Shooter, California Dreamin' , You Baby - my favourites! 💞

Easy listening, made me feel like I could have been picking flowers and chatting to my friends about free love

Nice easy listening.

A 4 star record with a 6 star song on it

What an album, I did not expect to love every minute of listening, but good golly did I ever. Terrible band name, but banger music.

Great harmonies and melodies, a perfect encapsulation of the 1960’s.

All bangers. Not a single miss on this album. Even though Monday, Monday and California Dreamin' have been overplayed, I still don't mind hearing them and that is a testament to the greatness that is the Mamas & The Papas.

Powerful use of harmonies in stereo sound with some absolutely classic songs.

5/5 looove this album

This was a fun album to listen to. I listen to it a couple of times during the long weekend. A lot of songs are on it songs I have not heard in a while. Glad this album is on the list.

Classic.

Good

i <3 mamas and papas

Great cloudy day music to hang out and get things done at home. Callie was bopping to it while eating her quesadilla for lunch.

Forgot how good this album is. Took me right back to my childhood listening with my mom.

California Dreamin' is one of the best songs ever conceived, and the rest of the album reflects it.

this was such a good album omg I LOVED IT

If you want to listen to the Mamas and the Papas, this is the album to listen to

Great album, every song a classic, easy listening

Not the kind of music I'd usually listened to but I really enjoyed the whole album. I think a couple of these songs are going to get added to my playlist.

Lovely album and such a familiar sound! Very Beatles influenced harmonies and melodies. Listened a few times and will come back it.

Amazing vocals. Pop beats and Guitars majestic for what would become the psychedelic sound of that time. Not a bad song and every one was catchy.

Soaring harmonies and upbeat melodies make this a classic

I have heard a few of these songs, but everyone is solid lyrically, production, and their harmonizing is off the charts fantastic.

hard to rate fairly without the nostalgia bias. easy listening!

This is a staple....

I remember most of these songs. Reminds me of summer and my younger years.

Shouldn't be saying that knowing what I know about the band, but that's as perfect as the sound gets of the 60s flower power pure joy... I still have my "The Mamas & The Papas Greatest Hits" somewhere, so may not be objective

That was a very familiar album. For me, it was easy listening and very enjoyable. I think I'd pick up a copy if I saw one. Would listen again. Their singing is flawless and beautiful.

fucking brilliant

This is the 143rd album I’m rating. I find it very funny how much hotter Michelle Phillips is than everybody else. Adding to my Playlist - Monday, Monday, Got a Feelin', I Call Your Name, and Somebody Groovy. Not Adding to my Playlist - Do you Wanna Dance, Go Where you Wanna Go, Spanish Harlem, Hey Girl, You Baby, and The "In" Crowd. Already Added to my Playlist - Straight Shooter and California Dreamin'. California Dreamin' - I recently watched Chungking Express and it's quickly become my favorite movie of all time surpassing Goodfellas. All in all I liked 6/12 songs. Not the greatest album ever but I'll always smile when listening to Straight Shooter and California Dreamin'.

I was surprised how much I liked this. The vocals and the layering of them are so perfect!

maravilhoso

So good I almost choked on my sandwich

so so so so so good. love the mamas and the papas.

Classy

Relax and amazing

A couple of years ago, I read Scott G. Shea's All the Leaves Are Brown, which was a pretty extensive history of the Mamas and the Papas. I really didn't know a lot about the band before reading that book, but reading it gave me two things: one, a better understanding of the folk scene of the sixties, and two, the opinion that John Phillips was a massive piece of shit. I didn't listen to this album after reading the book though, because I knew I'd get to review it at some point. I know "Monday, Monday" and "California Dreamin'", but I think the rest of this album will be new to me. I'm looking forward to firing up some beautiful harmonies! I really enjoyed listening to If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears. As I expected, the harmonies and vocals in general on this album were outstanding. The arrangements were excellent as well, and having read about John Phillips gave me a lot of insight as to how much of himself he poured into this album. “Monday, Monday” was an outstanding leadoff song, immediately hitting your ears with a taste of the beautiful harmonies and vocals that filled this album. The string arrangements were excellent as well. This song is exactly the sort of thing I think of when I think of folk rock from the sixties. The guitars on “Straight Shooter” instantly reminded me of The Beatles, and felt less folky than “Monday, Monday.” Still, it’s a fun song, and I think it shows that The Mamas and the Papas can do more than just textbook hippie sounds in their music. “Got A Feelin’” had some really good vocals, but I found it a touch boring compared to the two songs before it. I really didn’t care for “I Call Your Name.” It’s not that it’s a bad song, but it felt really out of place compared to the rest of the album. “Do You Wanna Dance” had some great arrangements, and I thought the drums and strings sounded great together. This song felt like a throwback to fifties pop music, which felt a touch out of place, but the vocals were great. “Go Where You Wanna Go” was sneakily one of the best songs on the album. The opening vocals and strings were outstanding, and it’s one of those rare songs that you don’t want to end while you’re listening to it oscillate between its beautiful verses and chorus. Even though I really like “Monday, Monday” and “Go Where You Wanna Go,” “California Dreamin’” is the best song on this album. The cold and moody atmosphere is what puts this song above all the others on the album. The vocals are incredible and the arrangements are fantastic. I swear they could make college music courses solely about “California Dreamin’”, because every aspect of it is perfect. “Spanish Harlem” is nice, but it’s just a bit boring for my taste, and as the follow up to “California Dreamin’”, it sticks out like a sore thumb. “Somebody Groovy” is a really fun bop, with more great vocals. “Hey Girl” was pretty good too, and I really enjoyed the bass playing. “You Baby” was another fun bop like “Somebody Groovy,” but I thought the guitar riff on the bridge stood out as the best part of the song. “The ‘In’ Crowd” was a fine, but the keyboard playing was the best part of the song. I was planning on giving this album four stars, since there were some parts of it that I didn’t care for too much, but writing out this review really drove home just how good this album is. I’m not huge on folk music, but The Mamas and The Papas had a really unique sound and easily had some of the best vocals of the decade. It’s really a shame that John Phillips was such a prick; if he’d not been such an ass, maybe this band would have put out another album that could have matched this debut.

The Mamas & the Papas are a pleasant part of the 60s landscape. They were groovy and countercultural, combining folk, pop, and (some) soul into a delightful mix. Rounding to 5 despite a couple songs (not written by a Mama or a Papa) that interrupt the groove.

The pop music is as it should be. An absolute masterpiece. Monday and California dreaming in my heart forever.

Great album. Jaunty. I’m gonna strut around and shake my head like a fancy man when I listen to it!

Un classique des années 60

wonderful voices and music, love

I like this masterpiece! Perfect music and lyrics. It is one of the best (top five!) smooth and lyrical albums I ever heard! All track are perfect absolutely! My brain is relaxing , my soul is singing, my mood is becoming very great! Many thanks for listening it again!

Hell yeahhhh let's gooooo!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean this is just such a happy and fun album. How can you be upset when listening to the Mamas and the Papas?

I love it, still charms. And California Streamin' is such a banger.

Straight shooter is one of my favourite song literally ever and this album is no skip. These vocals work together like no other. Not to sound annoying but you just don’t get albums or groups like this anymore.

this is a group that i'ev been hearing about since forever, i just never got around to checking them out. guess this is the time, i'm kinda hyped. ok right away i like this haha. good to know what inspired the lemon twigs lol. monday monday is heavenly damn. straight shooter is fun but might feel like more of the same but less good? the third track is sooo soothing and sooo pretty i call your name considered best song ever? chances are higher than you might think do you wanna dance nice little moment, lovely go where you wanna go just went the fuck off, i'm liking everything so far damn here comes the most famous song on the album... it's good, but not necessarily that much better than everything that's come before? at least not enough to justify the streaming differences. spanish harlem makes me shake my head ever so slightly. lovely. soomething groovy, despite being made of the exact same ingredients as the previous tracks, doesn't do much for me the last few tracks, while maybe smaller in scale than what came before, still hit just the same. the in crowd is a bit of a weird ending spot. not at all a bad song, just a weird one to close things up. overall, this may just be my favourite record so far. it's just all good vibes and heavenly harmonies. one word to sup it up is: lovely. definitely worth the listen!

Good record

♥️

Great

Fantastic album. One of my favourites!

This album gives the feeling of a fresh sunny afternoon, at the time I was outside playing adventures with my cousins. A album that uprise a good nostalgic feeling and love for the life. Okay, if you know a bit about the historical context from the 60s, yes, you can understand why this kind of music was made.

California Dreaming, one of my favourites of all time!

Another amazing debut, with killer songs on repeat.

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

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

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

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

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

Really great, on par with Pet Sounds for me.

Fun, feel good album

Great album

Wonderful album!

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

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

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

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

so much fun.

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

Fantastic album

Classic

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fantastic album.

i love this album :>

super awesome. straight shootin.

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

Not a fan.

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

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

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

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

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

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

can trust it.

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

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

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

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

Beautiful Album filled with masterpiece songs.

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

These arrangements are upsettingly beautiful.

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

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

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

A group I know and like.

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

maybe white ppl can make music 10/10

Love it!

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

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

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

Wonderful.

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

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

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

man this was awesome. really unexpected

Great album love it

Wonderful harmonies!!!

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

don’t listen but love them

Always

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

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

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

If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears is a near-perfect snapshot of 1960s sunshine pop at its peak — warm, melodic, and packed with lush harmonies that still hold up decades later. The Mamas & The Papas blend folk, pop, and soul with ease, delivering an album that feels effortless but is full of rich vocal interplay and polished production. “California Dreamin’” is the undeniable standout — a timeless anthem of longing and disillusionment, wrapped in a perfect arrangement that captures both the warmth of the West Coast and the chill of winter. It’s one of those rare songs that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. Tracks like “Monday, Monday” and “I Call Your Name” show the group’s range, while their soulful cover of “Spanish Harlem” adds texture and depth to the tracklist. Every song is delivered with confidence and charm, making this not just a great debut, but one of the defining albums of its era. Golden harmonies, sharp songwriting, and undeniable vibe — this one’s the real deal. Favorite song: "California Dreamin."

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

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

Cracking album that still amazes

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

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

Jó cucc. Örök klasszikus, 66-ban ez nagyon nagy durranás volt.

Después de conseguir un gran éxito con el sencillo "California Dreamin'", seguramente una de mis canciones favoritas de todos los tiempos incluida también en If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears", en 1966 Mamas & The Papas editaron siguiendo su mismo estilo este gran álbum que, por entonces, sonaba a algo diferente a todo lo escuchado hasta entonces. If You Can Believe... es sobre todo Folk-Rock de altura con extraordinarios ganchos pop y muchas influencias soul. Todos los sencillo son auténticos temazos, desde el ya citado sueño californiano, hasta la excelsa apertura del disco, "Monday, Monday", pasando por la rockera "Somebody Groovy". También me gustan y emocionan "Go Where You Wanna Go" (canción que luego convertiría en un hit The 5th Dimension), la delicada "Do You Wanna Dance", "Spanish Harlem" (versión del tema compuesto por Jerry Leiber y Phil Spector Y grabada anteriormente por la leyenda Ben E. King, los Difters o la eterna Aretha Franklin), y el más que digno final del disco, "The 'In' Crowd".

10/10 such a great album the hard panning stereo was charming I doubt the mixers were expecting people to listen to this with headphones haha

Already own the vinyl.

suprisingly good. Mama Cass

Favourite song - Straight shooter

Really nice album, I enjoyed the songs and can see why they were popular. Maybe it's just a comparison of the other things that I've heard recently, but this was a breath of fresh air!

Just incredible! What vocals!

Classic. Monday Monday, California Dreamin' are beautiful. All the harmonies are amazing. Great songs. Classic of the mid '60s.

Couple filler tracks but this thing is killer. Classics notwithstanding, Straight Shooter and Go Where You Wanna Go are my favorites. Even a good Beatles cover to boot. Essential pre-summer of love pop

Really good classic rock with tons of incredible tracks.

Will always love ❤️ them… I think a lot about wondering what kind of music they or her alone would’ve made, Cass ElliotttgT is…

Great album, love that old jangle pop

Lots of songs you know but didn't know who it was

I’m loving these 60s songs

The Mama's and the Papa's added a thread of harmonic folk music to the mix that was 60's pop music. Their four voices blended richly with acoustic guitar driven orchestrations. Like much of 60's pop, their music is mixed with a number of supporting parts - the string section parts add a layer of 60's psychedelia to their distinct, near-choral sound. If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears is their debut album, and includes some of their most famous hits, like "Monday, Monday" and "California Dreamin.'" This may be the strongest work of the band's short career, and this one adding a significant facet to 60's pop music.

I also love this album. A listen again is hardly necessary but it’s always worth it.

Incredible harmonies.

One of the best albums ever. It makes me happy to hear it.

Monday, Monday - California Dreaming - Go where you wanna Go Such great music - memories - magic!

Fantastic

The epitome of ‘60s West Coast pop.

Can you really go wrong with "Monday, Monday" and "California Dreamin'"? I also liked "Straight Shooter" and "Hey Girl". Some good stuff.

very nostalgic one for me.

Fucking hippies, great album though.

Mama Cass really holds this album together. There are some good arrangements here and the hits are massive. But it’s Mama who makes it gold.

Perfect album. Great musicality and harmonies. Varied influences in their songs. Can listen to whole thing each song is a hit.

Eccellent album overall with the old time classics, Monday Monday and California dreamin'..... Good listening.

Very classic 60s music. Very enjoyable. Didn't notice how much it sounded so much like the 30s style of music.

Harmony. 9/10

This album is just so comforting! I could listen to it on repeat. Those backing harmonies are so locked in, and the entire recording has a warm feeling to it that really works.

I loved the Mamas and Papas as a teen and still love their sound. Cass Elliot's voice was so pure she could carry the group. They were a power group with fantastic soft rock sounds that still resonate well today.

Hit parade.

I knew the name and I knew I liked what I'd heard, but I had no idea how many of these songs I knew!

This album is perfect 60s folk rock, and like so many of their contemporaries, their debut is essentially a greatest hits.

Beautiful vocals. Classic 60s sound. Iconic Album

Beautiful voices, melodies, harmonies

Great album. Monday, Monday being one of my fave late 60's songs. Just ace.

great album. became one of my favourites in 2023 actually! really love the mix of vocals and the sentimental nostalgia it gives me even though i'd never listened to it before. I'm a little sad mixed vocal groups aren't more popular! ps.. just read up on the history of the band........ why can't people just be normal :(

Classic '60s sound with the harmonies etc... Love this!

Very good album definitely represents the 60s sound. California dreamin is one of my favorite songs.

One of the best!

Banger album. So good when doing chores. Fav song straight shooter

Ah the sweet life giving harmonies of the Mamas and the Papas. I know most of these songs from a compilation I bought a few years ago. Timeless perfection.

Oh my word. The harmonies............... THE HARMONIES. A bunch o' messed up people, sure, but what an album. California Dreamin is obviously an automatic 5 - yes, yes, we've all heard it a million times, but it's still as stunning as Michelle.

Excellent album full of recognizable hits.

Album #4 Almost 60 years later the harmonies of this group hold up to the thief of time. I have been listening the Mama's and Papa's my entire life and did not realize that Cass Elliot was the vocal powerhouse of this group and the rest were her back up's. I had not listened to this album before today and enjoyed the simple lyrics that represent the era. Post JFK but still holding onto the utopia of post WWII and before the beginning of the end with the onset of Vietnam and the slow steady slide of the US. The harmonization creates an ambiance among the lyrics that gives each song a fluid movement that makes each one unique in it's own right and can hold it's own in the track listing. Each song could have charted if allowed to enter the charts by the music industry but only 3 songs from this album charted, the ones we still hear in the elevators and grocery stores to this day.

loved this album

I can’t believe my eyes and ears bc this album was toooo gooood! Didn’t expect much but absolutely loved it.

Stellar. Made me fall in love with a 300-pound woman. What a voice.

So very 60’s!

I liked it. This album is from my generation and there were a couple of songs that I do net recall ever hearing before.

Pretty songs. I love sixties pop. Beautiful vocal harmonies and absolute classic Wrecking Crew backing tracks.

Took me back to my teenage years Lots of classic hits

grew up on this

This really is a great album. The production and performance are outstanding, and its infinitely listenable. Its a little corny/dated in 2023, but I think this does deserve a spot on the list. 5/5

I mean… They got me when I was 15, and made me want to become a time traveller and a hippie. And even tho it is extremely overlistened from my side, occasionally it can still make me cry.

In the year 1977 the fbi exploded all pigeons balls off to get the drones set for the 1980

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

Incredible voices, wonderful songs, gorgeous harmonies, what's not to love.

It's really fun to listen to! Do you wanna dance?

This album had a big part in the course of rock. One of my faves. Can't beat California rock in the mid-1960s! 4.5/5

Tres sympa, chill et joyeux. J’aime ce style de musique

Un bijou pour celles et ceux qui adorent la musique des années 60 et les paroles mièvres (donc moi).

A classic for the genre.