Reviews (page 7 of 14)
liked it
Lovely. Album for the whole family.
I was whooping and jeering when I saw I got this bad boy for a listen today - absolute freebie. Interestingly, I've only listened to the bangers on this one before so I was actually let down by a couple tracks but, all in all, fantastic album which makes you wanna live in 60s Cali oh so badly. Shoutout to "Go Where You Wanna Go" & "The 'In' Crowd" for some fresh tunes from the Mamas.
Some classic bangers on here
Delightfully folky and quintessentially 60s sounding.
I grew up with this music. I love the hits and am fine with the rest.
So apart from the obvious 2 songs, I found this very underwhelming...not sure what I'm missing here since I know this is a very well liked album. On a closer second listen, I think I get it. I can still take or leave about a third of the album though, and I'm much more interested in the songs where Mama Cass takes the lead! This is like a 3.5 for me, but I'll round up.
Really pretty harmonies and great songwriting. I hate that cover though!
La pasé bien
I was excited to see this album come up, I'm familiar with their biggest hits but the rest of their discography is unknown to me. I enjoyed this quite a bit and will give it another listen for sure.
Not bad
Local boy Is In love again 🥰
Hugely enjoyable is correct.
the vocals are superb with a 60s groove. You can hear where ABBA got there inspiration from.
More like it. Fantastic stuff, strong sounds of the era.
Melko miellyttävä alusta loppuun. Myös muutamia ennestään tuttuja kappaleita. I Call Your Name jäi mieleen kivana uutena tuttavuutena.
Loved this album
I can't imagine a more groovy 1960s album. Lovely harmonies, it's Carnaby Street in musical form. Not my thing, but it's great.
- Cooler Sound - Sehr 70ees. Mir ein bisschen to much. - Manchmal bisschen monoton.
Great album, especially with "Monday, Monday" and "California Dreamin'". "Somebody Groovy" is pretty underrated, IMO. 8/10.
Lots of classics!
Pretty iconic, I like their sound, it has a place, it's not a daily listen, but scratches a certain itch every now and then.
I very much enjoyed. The whole album was almost too much, but wasn’t. I enjoyed the Spotify radio that ensued afterwards too.
Around “Spanish Harlem” my interest started to wane, as the other covers so far had been pretty unique alternatives to the Beatles/Beach Boys recordings. Though the album’s first half is better, “Monday Monday”, “California Dreamin”, “Go Where You Wanna Go” & “I Call Your Name” are more than enough to sustain my enjoyment. August 30, 2022
My favorite from the album is I Call Your Name. I was not expecting honkytonk influences when listening. https://youtu.be/HprdvsYeCIg
Upbeat, fun, cottage potential.
Great harmonies and Mama Cass has such a powerhouse voice! What a fantastic debut album. The slower songs aren't as much of my jam but all the songs are enjoyable
I can’t believe this was their debut album. What a way to begin a career.
Pretty good, though would've liked fewer audio artefacts, made them sound out of tune.
Iconic album from an iconic band of the sixties, with the iconic "California Dreamin'" hit in the middle of it all, but also other wonderful cuts such as "Monday, Monday", "Straight Shooter", "Go Where You Wanna Go" or "Do You Wanna Dance". Those four-part vocal harmonies sure suggest California sixties ambience like no other band of the time, except maybe the Beach Boys, Jefferson Airplane or the Byrds. Nice balance of originals and covers on the first side. Unfortunately after the "Spanish Harlem" one, the songs are less striking or catchy. Obviously part of a list of 1001 essential albums, but not at the top of it. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 847 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory: 84 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 38 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 32
They parented the hell out of the 60s
Beautiful album, especially the harmonies.
Like sugary candy from the 60's. Sweet melodies, decadent harmonies, and delicious tunes, and very enjoyable even if it doesn't have super complex depth. This album is super easy to throw on, too. Groovy baby.
Wow. Excellent record. I had no idea they were so good. Great folk vocal album, solid tunes and excellent vocals.
It's a classic. 50's/60's style early rock and roll like The Beatles or Beach Boys. Very solemn sounding album. Longing and sad and loving.
Two super popular tracks , Monday, Monday and California Dreamin' make this an iconic album. Tracks like straight shooter, somebody groovy, and the in crowd really hammer home the groovy swingability of this band. while Got a Feelin' and I Call your name and do you wanna dance round out the bands ability to make a crooning ballad, something i assume was important in the 60s. 7.5/10
Base do “pop” muito bem executado.
I feel like I'm at Woodstock. :) Really good album! Didn't realize how many hits came off this album.
Perfectas voces.
The first song on this debut album open so strong and is a great and, as it turns out, timeless song. The quality stays top shelf with "Straight Shooter". All together this album is very impressive; some attitude, lots of harmony, very hooky, although also fairly dated. I've never listened to an entire Mama's and the Papa's album before, it would have never occurred to me to do, but I already know the majority of these songs; that's a lot of time tested hits. Even the songs I am not already familiar with are pretty good. Solid summer listening.
California Dreaming one of my favs. Enjoyable listen
Many familiar songs. Nice to hear them all together. Casual music fans are bound to recognize at least some of the songs.
Classic slapper
Classic soothing ear worms
Mad decent
Production is a bit syrupy in places, but you can't knock the hits.
I was trying to think how this stands above the other 60s harmony bands. Great harmonies, vocals, orchestration and production and John Phillips songs are incredible. There are the hits, some covers and a bit of Cass too! This, the Beatles and Jimi are the 60s for me.
Déjà eu en LP
All the leaves are all the leaves are broooown and the sky is grey and the sky is greeeeey
Still good piece of music, but seems covered with dust when played today
Really enjoyed it ! Good singing, nice harmonies, catchy lyrics
It’s nice. Love the 60s vibes
So many great tunes, would have been incredible to be around at that point with classic songs being dished out daily. Most of this would be on a Greatest Hits
The harmonies on this album are fucking amazing. Tempted to give it a 5, but it's a 4 because of the cover versions.
Fabulous, if a little one-paced. Brilliant vocals, decent lyrics, passable music. Very easy to listen to, or to have on in the background. Good, but not great.
Nice album, if the sound is a little dated. Several very good songs with great harmony singing, but also some songs where I started losing interest. Low end four stars.
-Mega Garfield Vibes in "Monday Monday" -"Monday Monday" and "Straight Shooter" stood out the best -Overall nice calm-rock sound with harmonies
Some good stuff here. I'd imagine this album was big with the college-bound suburban white girls. There's enough diversity in this music that it doesn't all suck. I really like the intro to Straight Shooter, reminds me of the Last Train to Clarksville track by the Monkees (both albums were released the same year). California Dreaming is a classic, but was surprised to learn it wasn't the Beach Boys. Do You Wanna Dance seems like a relic from the '50s. I would listen to this more but worry that it'd reveal my true identity...
:) it's fun
"Monday, Monday" on a Monday, thank you RNG gods
good listen
<3
I enjoyed this album. California dreamin is so good.
I really love the harmonies of the California 70s and this holds up.
Lovely stuff. Even a decent Beatles' cover.
I know the famous singles, but not this album in its full form.Monday, Monday is a great start to any week’s listening and any album. Clear sixties production and separation of instruments, great musicians and those amazing harmonies really made this for me. Some lovely songs, too. The slower numbers didn’t really suit my mood and Do You Want To Dance does tip into cheese territory, but the voices still (mostly) carry those songs too. Really enjoyed this.
Possibly the best album featuring a toilet seat on its cover. Huge classic nad much more than just California Dreamin'.
Rock hall of fame. AMAZING !
"California Dreamin" is one of the best song ever written and recorded. However, this band recorded other beautifully produced tracks like Got A Feelin', Somebody Groovy or The In Crowd. I am also a complete fan of this era, rich in sound and emotions and this album perfectly renders this vibe.
First, no to the apostrophes in mamas and papas. Second, did I really need to see that scuzzy toilet on the cover? This is a crap cover, literally. Ok, that's out of the way. I like the album a lot. Monday Monday is a beautiful song with fantastic harmonies. Love the vocal line on the phrase "that Monday evening you would still be here with me" (and similar moments through the song). Nice twist. Deservedly a classic. I enjoyed Straight Shooter and Got a Feelin'. I also like their very different approach to the Beatles' I Call Your Name. California Dreamin' is a classic, but sounds very dated. That's probably the biggest issue with the album - the recording style is very dated. I had a problem with Spanish Harlem - I know they didn't write it, but the line "I'm going to pick that rose and watch her as she grows in my garden" is creepy (I also thought that wouldn't be possible, but it is - who knew that the 1001 albums would teach me something about basic horticulture?). I call it a 4 because the harmonies are out-of-this-world good but the album sounds dated.
Groovy, in a psychedelic Saturday night variety show kind of way.
BRRUUUUH CALIFORNIA DREAMIN C DLA BOMBE, HYPE D'ÉCOUTER LE RESTE. Jkiff
Yeah I love these guys. A bit samey after a while though.
This is one of those albums that evokes a feeling of nostalgia and a time capsule-ness of late 60's hippy/folk-era. The quality of the harmonies are unmistakably perfect and though this contains some classic songs (Monday, Monday, California Dreaming), there could have been more consistency, especially with it's selection of covers. That being said, If You Believe Your Eyes & Ears is the essential release from the Mamas & The Papas and California Dreaming is the perfect song to help warm me up with because the place where I live drops to -30 or colder..."on such a winters day"
Good
I sang a couple Mamas & The Papas songs back in high school choir (it’s been a while lol) but hadn’t listened to much of them beyond that. I liked this one, and it was fun to hear those songs from choir again.
Un dels àlbums per excel.lència de l'época hippie, que té la gran virtut de transportar-te als 60 tot d'una. John Phillips en el seu millor moment, i una banda en estat de forma increïble, amb unes harmonies vocals d'una altra dimensió. Massa versions per ser considerat una obra mestra, però no hi queda gaire lluny
Very close to full marks. Really nice clean sound, simple riffs but interesting structure and instrumentation. Maybe a couple too many covers to put in in the upper echelon.
It's hard for me to give this less than a 4 with the timeless California Dreaming and the other 2 hits. To me the sound captures the mid sixties. The In Crowd has some life but most of the others frag a bit for me. It would have sounded fresher in 66.
Good and classic, a bit too slow.
Strong strong 4
Genre: Sunshine Pop 4/5 Classic album, with great vocals, classy production, and some of the biggest songs from the 60s. Monday, Monday and California Dreamin’ are staples on nearly every classic rock/oldies station, and for good reason. Lots of filler for the rest of the tracks, but the I Call Your Name and Spanish Harlem covers are decent, as well as Straight Shooter.
California Dreamin' remains to date their most memorable refrain and their most exciting vocal counterpoint. The Mamas And Papas took harmony singing of the 1950s, adapted it to the sound of folk-rock, and turned it into a national anthem for the hippie generation. But listen to the whole album?(6,5/10) FT: California Dreamin', Monday Monday
“Embraced folk-rock, pop/rock, pop, and soul, and also reflected the kind of care that acts like the Beatles were putting into their records at the time.”
The harmonies are incredible of course. The production is slick and a bit sterile and lacks the touch and soul that Brian Wilson and Phil Spector had. Nevertheless, this album is quite enjoyable and was a huge hit during its time and has given us memorable songs such as 'Monday, Monday,' and 'California Dreamin.' This album is doing something a bit different which in 1966 is saying a whole hell of a lot.
Just a lot of fun
Un album extrêmement satisfaisant de la part du renommé groupe anti LGBT un papa + une maman. Les discours homophobes dissimulés ici et là tout au long de l'album donnent un aspect vraiment authentique au produit final, on se remémore avec nostalgie la période dorée où George Michael n'éxistait pas encore. Un morceau d'histoire à mettre entre toutes les mains.
California Dreamin' спас альбом. В целом, типичный продукт своего времени.
Monday Monday
I liked this one, if I could give it 3.5 I would, but that rounds to 4, so here we are. I really liked all the interesting harmonies, almost gave some of the songs sort of an eerie vibe.
Monday Monday and California Dreamin remind me of my grandma. This is a solid album
I liked this. It was very enjoyable, and I liked every song. Definitely pop, but there are small hints of psych.
The quintessential Mamas & Papas album. A very dynamic sounding album for the time. Fav tracks: “California Dreamin’” “I call your name” “Straight shooter”
Classics
Really nice album. Very 60s vibe. Cool harmonies. Catchy songs that are a little more disturbing than they first seem once you pay attention to the lyrics ("Straight Shooter" for example). Very enjoyable overall.
Golden oldies.
Very jolly, fun to listen to, and nicely arranged
bra!
7/10
pretty good upbeat
some cool funk, some classic disco cheese
Very nostalgic and 60s. Some really great tracks and I enjoyed this blast from a very distant past ! 4*
5th November 2021 Listened in the morning while getting ready to go to Lincon for the weekend with the pates crew. I adore half of this album and think the other half is slightly dated but they are such a great band. The songwriting is exquisite.
😎 I'm in with the "in" crowd 😎
Great to listen to. A real sound of the 60s.
Nothing against The Mamas & The Papas, but I just don't want to listen to them often.
An album where I've heard loads of the songs but never knew who sang them
This is very solid, but I'm trying not to let my nostalgia factor (Dad LOVED '60s and '70s music) affect the score. I enjoyed every track - some more than others - and think this deserves its place on the list.
The harmonies are on point, and the hits are hits for a reason. The deeper cuts on this album sound great, but they're kinda basic, which is the only reason this isn't a 5. Best track: California Dreamin'
When I got this I rolled my eyes and groaned. It's actually really solid, California Dreamin' is a banger
Love this sound and it's very well done here. Easy repeat listen. California Dreamin is clearly the best track but really all of the other originals hold up in quality. All of the songs are a great length and stay engaging throughout. Several covers but still well done and enjoyable. Do You Wanna Dance is easily the class of that group. Easy 4 for me. Awesome for a debut album.
3.5 for sure. 4? yes 4. I like this era of 50s sound merging into the 60s sound.
A very nice album. Not sure about the rendition of Spanish Harlem which seems out of place and some of the other covers as well but lots of very good songs and the harmonies are slays spot on. 4 🌟
Love their voices. Especially Mama Cass's. Their best album by far. Sweet spot in pop music progression.
I really enjoyed this, the vocal arrangements are lush and overall it is slightly spicier in tone than expected. Free love and all that. Could’ve done without the uninspired Dobie Gray cover, but something tells me this isn’t going to be the last uninspired and unnecessary soul cover I encounter on this project.
California Dreamin'
A very fine album see my other review for details
7/10
Great
Excellent album. Vintage power
California dreaming, what a track
Not music I actively listen to but a classic album with hits I have to respect
Nice to hear the album linked to the song you have heard a billion times.
funky
Pretty good example of 60s hippie love culture. Some banger singles. The album has great harmonies.
Groovy choral music interspersed with backing strings. What's not to like?
A great pop album with great vocals. Best track: California Dreamin'
Hmm
Me gustó que suena a varias épocas (o sea 70 para atrás), esperaba pura cosa hippie, pero no. Me quedó con “I Call Your Name”
Too folky for me but I can see why people like it
All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
Absolutely wonderful
california dreamin will forever slap
That was a fun surprise. This band did so much for harmonic bands to come. This is something I don’t see in bands today. They were so in tune and aligned with their band mates in harmony that I was surprised to read all the discontent going on off stage. Love Monday Monday and California Dreamer. Loved hearing the tambourine in all the songs! Their style reminds me of the early music of The Monkeys and all the other 60’s hipster bands. “Each night before I Go to bed my baby & whisper a 🙏🏻 For you my baby!” Is my favorite of their creations.
Tiene algun bajon que destaca más en comparación a su enorme hit, pero es un gran disco y de los mejores de su genero
I love this album, it's just so full of good vibes!
Solid album, very fun and I didn't know some of these songs were even the mamas and the papas (maybe they're covers?)
a classic. v good
Excelentes melodías, acompañamientos y grandes clásicos que perdurarán durante largo tiempo
Stereo baby! Classic stuff, sounds from a bygone era.
Álbum bonito, aunque el género no es mi predilecto, lo tolero en moods muy particulares. Es música que sí me suena ya avejentada, pero no tiene que ser algo negativo eso. La voz de Michelle Phillips sí muy bonita, y pues el hitazo "California Dreamin'" <3. Otras fav fueron "I Call Your Name" y "Hey Girl". No es un álbum al que regresaría en su totalidad. 7.5/10
I truly enjoyed it. Classic 60s pop with great harmonies and catchy songs. Perfect length as well. I would check out more of their work for sure.
Pretty good. Beetles like
Quelque classique california dreamin, monday monday. L’album s’ecoute bine et fait partie de son temps4*
Beach boys, but more "meet me at the doo-op" vibes. Only like 35 min long so quick sweet lil album
I’m a sucker for some good 60’s California psych.
Definitely a band I've always heard but never came into my consciousness.
A few of my favorites on this
Some classics here
Lovely sunny harmonies, classic pop. Fave track - "California Dreaming" - one of my absolute fave karaoke tracks because it's really easy to encourage everyone to sing along, whether it's singing the main lyrics, or the harmonies... 😍
ALL THE LEAVES ARE BROWN
Sin comentarios...
one of the most influential groups of the 60s. although some of their music doesn’t feel as good now 60 years later, this album is honestly great and each song is unique but has consistency and style. something about the harmonies they make together, ooohhh :)))
pretty cool but a little too folky for my liking
so lilting it would almost be hilarious for someone to walk in while you’re listening to it. fav track: i call your name
Happy vibes. I'd have been a great hippie.
Nice hippy vibing album.
Less than timeless, but extra credit for the excellent production - sounds great for early '66.
Great vocal harmonies and songs that were stuck in my head all day.
just what you'd expect
Good feel good album with great harmonies and fun songs
I love California Dreaming. Some good old Hippie Music.
Några av dessa låtar ligger redan i min mer aktiva playlist. Så snarare 4,5!
Vocal harmonies abound in this very 60s sound. California Dreamin’ is a classic
holds up nicely
Jävligt nära en 5a "for the record".
Harmonias vocais excelentes. Muito diferente do que esperava. Destaque para as clássicas California Dreamin' e Spanish Harlem
I love it
Harmonies are on point but you can tell it’s a bit dated. I’ll give it a 4 just because California dreaming is such a classic
Sort of like the Beatles. Covered a few of their songs. A lot of famous ones too that I didn’t know where by them
Some great songs and some average ones. 3/5
The stereo mix on this is truly so atrocious that I had to shut it off a minute and a half into Monday, Monday and go out of my way to find a mono version somewhere or else I'd never have gotten through the album. They really hadn't figured out how to do that yet in 1966 I suppose which I suppose I can't really fault them for. Anyway, beyond that. This album for sure has one or two undeniable classics on it but they're not really classics that do all that much for me in all honesty... and some of the rest of it was hard to listen to without cringing even once I'd sorted the stereo issue. Hm. 2 stars feels a little too ungenerous though... so 3 it is
Some boos
The hits were good
My mom's favorite group. For me, a solid 3.
I recognize a bunch of these tracks by title, and I have a good idea of what to expect here. This is worth listening to as an example of what else was going on in the music world in the mid-60s. It's fine, but pretty meh.
Fun fact! The original version of this album cover was deemed to be unsuitable for public display because it shows a (gasp!) toilet in a bathroom. Later editions either covered up the offending loo or cropped it out. Sanitary-ware aside, this album has a mix of original songs and covers, all sung with some of the best harmonies of any band in the sixties or since. The music is mostly laid-back folk-rock with a touch of blues, not quite easy listening but not far off. The highlights for me are the best known hits - Monday, Monday and California Dreamin’. A perfect album for a lazy Sunday morning.
Reminded me of American ABBA. Solid
2.9 rating. California Dreamin' and Monday, Monday are the obvious standouts here. Rest is a mix of average and passing songs, though an interesting snapshot of the time.
Mama Cass has my heart. La amo demasiado. Pero bueno toca escucharlo. Siendo honesto, la única canción que me gustó es California Dreamin, el resto es muy simplón. De todas formas me gusta como se complementan sus voces.
Fine,
The highlight of this record for me was "California Dreamin'" thanks in part to Chungking Express. The rest of the record didn't feel as memorable, but fine nonetheless. Favourite Track(s): California Dreamin', Somebody Groovy Least Favourite Track(s): Spanish Harlem, Hey Girl
Première moitié de l’album j’attendais California dreamin’ deuxième moitié je me disais que c’était moins bien que California dreamin’
Great pop, 112th best album of all time? Not so sure
Anodyne is the right word here.
Sharp shooter is wicked, some other nice soppy hits too but it’s not quite wall to wall
I think I should like this more, but it feels like by the book sunshine pop music. The songs sound the same and it doesn't help that a good number are covers. 3/5
The hits are unbelievable but the rest feels like filler/forgettable.
Entre les Beatles et Creedence Clearwater Revival, groupe culte avec des tubes dans cet album (california dreamin'...) mais bon on s'ennuie un peu quand même
C’est sympa Je trouvais qu’à un moment, ça virait en album de Noël
Assez sympa
Not totally my cup of tea but some undeniable classics.
Buen álbum de folk. No es un género que me guste pero se reconocen los buenos temas. Aprobado. Y tiene California Dreamin, tremendo clásico. 5/10
70
5/10
A soothing mix of California sunshine pop, a touch of psychedelia, and a lot of early Beatles and 1950s American music influence. Lovely vocal harmonies, too.
My mum loves this group. Beautiful harmonies, but it also gets a bit much after a while.
It's nice, but also, lacklustre
Cool stuff. Great harmonies. California Dreamin’ is a masterpiece.
Some good songs, overall not that memorable, they have some good songs but this album was a bit of a letdown for me
This is a 3 album for me. The hits are undeniable. They are cohesive. I generally don’t want to listen to this. 3 Boolean: true
1966 surf Americana , vocal blend Monday, monday California dreamin'
Pleasant album, with a handful of great singles
Outside of the singles this is pretty boring
Solid Folk album. Would give 3.5 if I could
Beter dan ik had verwacht. Paar bangers, voor de rest beetje saai.
This album was exactly what I expected. Beautiful pop harmonies throughout, but we’re all here for California Dreamin’ and the rest all felt kind of like the preview for the big show. Still, it was very enjoyable
Technically excellent, but not an album that I connect with in any meaningful way. Extremely listenable and yet forgettable. Any track would make for a great addition to a dinner party playlist.
Solid album.
California dreamin And Monday monday Belters Not too sure what I make of it as a whole, it’s more. Background when your at your grandparents vibe
слушала во время работы, чувствуется легендарность этого альбома, он приятный на слух, опять таки сложно пояснить за тонкости, но я постоянно думала о том, какой же лидер группы мудак ахахах поэтому навряд ли я смогу когда нибудь получать истинное удовольствие от прослушивания этой группы, но просто приземленно музыка приятная и хорошо подпевается
I always liked their harmonies on old movies. It was mid at best on the whole album
Nice sounds but meh. Loved California dreaming tho. Good album
Love the harmonies, but it's dull
The harmonies are great, of course, and California Dreamin' is one of the all-time great singles. Straight Shooter as the second track made me think the rest might be a bit livelier too, but most of it wasn't
Breezy, gorgeous tunes.
Songs are reminiscent of standard 1966 Beatles (including a Beatles cover) or of the sort of song that would underscore a film scene of the main waifish female character finding herself in the big city. Elevated by the vocal harmonies but it feels dated, restrained & uninspired for 1966. The covers especially seem very unnecessary, they don't add to, significantly change or top the originals. It wasn't unusual to use outside songwriters a lot at the time but with half the songs written outside of the band, and the two major hits being inhouse, it kind of feels like only half a M&P album. In Crowd is livened up with a soul edge & some organ, but as a whole it sounds like a pretty basic early 60s album, despite the 1966 date.
Monday, Monday and California Dreamin’ - some classics. Other than that I didn’t love it. I didn’t hate it…but it feels like every band that wasn’t The Beatles was trying to them in 1966. 3 stars for 2 hits and for The In Crowd
As a group, they have wonderful voices. This music was definitely dated, but it was okay to have playing in the background.
3.5
Enjoyed this
Got some good classics on it as well as a few duds. Extremely mid oldies album.
One of the first Albums I can remember we heart at parties. :-)
Everybody loves California Dreamin' and just for this song the album deserves half a star. Of course it reeks of hippie / counter culture shit that caracterize the end of the 60s but it has great harmonies nevertheless. Favorite songs: Monday Monday ; California Dreamin'
Not as fun as I was hoping for - I liked the hits but the best part of listening to this was that Tidal then started to play other 60’s hits afterwards so I got to enjoy The Turtles, Zombies and Love
Pleasant enough sunny pop, unfortunate toilet on the cover. I haven't really got much else to say. So I'll stop typing.
I knew exactly what this album would sound like before I put it on. Pleasant enough sounding proto-rock and roll with some flower power mixed in. Monday Monday and California Dreamin' are still as recognizable and earwormy, some 60 years after they were released. Some of the rest of the album is an archaic look at a bygone era.
Good
1. Monday, Monday - Heck yeah, this is a classic. Weird though, like, is this sarcastic? Mondays are terrible. Or was everything bright and amazing in the 60s? Love the use of background vocals as an instrument. This is a BOP. Oh, this isn't cheery, this is about the singer's partner leaving him. My bad. Good song. 2. Straight Shooter - This is a fun 60s bop, bouncy little guitar part and great harmonies. 3. Got a Feelin' - This one is a bit slow, doesn't do much for me. 4. I Call Your Name - Fun westerny or country-ish piano part, and vocals sound older than the 1960s. The vocals harmonies at the end are pretty great. 5. Do You Wanna Dance - This feels like the slow dance at an old timey sock hop, in a good way. Reminds me of like, Earth Angel. 6. Go Where You Wanna Go - Fun, bouncy. I like the background music in this one, feels hippy summer-of-lovey. 7. California Dreamin' - Classic, I love this song. It's haunting, spooky, but also super pretty. Kind of trippy? 8. Spanish Harlem - From the jump this one is interesting. A doo-woppy beginning, something that sounds like island drums or percussion, and an old lounge-style lead vocals part. I like this one. This feels like it could be a cover of an older song? *POST-LISTEN NOTE: This was in fact a cover of a Ben E. King song.* 9. Somebody Groovy - Fine, not super interesting. 10. Hey Girl - Funny to hear lingo from 60 years ago that's similar to today "he's only trying to score." This song is fine, again, not super interesting but not a bad song. I think their harmonies add a lot of positives to otherwise kind of boring songs. 11. You Baby - Another decent song with fun vocals. 12. The "In" Crowd - A little more soulful, kind of makes me think of more of the Motown vibe? Album Highs: Monday, Monday I Call Your Name Spanish Harlem Album Lows: Got a Feelin' This is the first album of the 4 I've done so far that feels like I have a reference to compare it to (Cat Stevens - Tea for the Tillerman). I think I'd rank this similarly, a few absolute bops, no major lows on the album, and a bunch of decent stuff in between. The high's on Cat Stevens' album are much more high to me, but this is a bit more of a listenable background album. I think I'd still rate Tea for the Tillerman higher, but I'd give this a similar score. I totally get why this album is on a must listen list. It's a fun jam with exceptional use of vocals and a few classic songs. I dug it and would be a fun album to have on Vinyl to play in the background. *POST LISTEN NOTES: Holy cow these folks were messy. It's so funny to me to hear songs this cute and boppy and then read about the dark, gritty life of the actual band members. Maybe funny isn't the best word, but it's kind of surreal.
3.5
One of the best songs of all time on here, which completely outclasses the rest of the album
I'm so happy they did this, but mainly so that others could come along an do it better -- pop with excellent harmonies, but pretty repetitive
*64 “ 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” er en virkelig god beskrivelse. Deres top sange er faktisk gode. Deres ringeste sange er virkelig cringe.
California Dreamin' er jo åbenlyst en banger, men udover det bliver det godt nok ret steneren. Lyden er cool nok, men det bliver også meget det samme igen og igen.
The most 3/5 album of all time. Not much to note, but pleasant enough. Favorite Song: Do You Wanna Dance, California Dreamin'
the oldest record of the list so far, at least that i can think of and honestly this one really shows, but not a bad thing in this case. this really has that old quality to it, with the little details like how i think the way singing "baby" in older songs just sounds way sweeter and is kind of staple for that time. i can hear a lot of similarities to music of the same era and it gives me a grandparent's radio sort of feeling which is a bit warming. i like the vocal work (backing/layering?), specially the female voice perfomances, plus having watched "chungking express" and not getting sick of "california dreamin", it probably means it's really good. that song sits inside a box along with "sweet home alabama" and "take me home, country roads" to me for some reason (us states love?) and it is BY FAR the best one out of the three. nice album overall! but i would rarely listen to it casually because it sounds like belonging to such a specific time and space in which i don't care much to be in
I mean, California dreaming.., the rest is fine, their vocals are really nice
completely listenable.
Good album
quite pleasant, a couple of bangers on there but otherwise only okay
It was good I liked the old school vibes
If the Beatles were the Beach Boys and Ringo was Mama Cass, this is how they would sound.
California Dreamin is a banger and next to this everything else on the album feels pretty bland MOR lacking. Some lovely harmonies some shonky recording/ production.
'Monday Monday' has always been a mid-60s favourite of mine - an extremely clever and pleasing chord progression, catchy, great harmonies. On that basis I was hoping for a strong album of lesser known classics. Alas, it didn't transpire. In comparison to 'Monday, Monday', several tracks seem twee and expendable, e.g. 'You Baby' (which is like an Archie's b-side), or 'Straight Shooter', which is throwaway tat. Like 'Monday, Monday', where the album really excels is when some ingenious chord progressions and shifts are used to create earworms. 'Go Where You Wanna Go' is really quite a complex bit of pop-craft, with some superb chord progressions and exquisite harmonies. 'California Dreamin'' rises like a collosus out of the pile. Anthemic, soulful, a sprinkle of psychedelia, ever superb harmonies, and ever shifting chords - it's a pop-perfect wonder. Then there's 'Got a Feelin'' which floats along nicely in nonchalant fashion. Mama Cass should have been given more of the limelight though.
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would
California Dreamin' is the standout track here - not sure the others are as memorable.
3.75
Kinda nice, good, punchy tracks here and there.
Apart from "California-Dreamin'", it seems like an inferior version of early Beatles (such as in "Straight Shooter") or Beach Boys (in the vocal harmonies and arrangements). Apart from that, however, it is an album which is solid yet unspectacular.
Good instrumental & Voices
The hits were great. The other stuff was ok I guess. Not sure I'd want to listen to those songs again.
Jens Lekman mentioned.
Sweet classic! Standouts are Monday, Monday and California Dreamin’.
only 2 good songs rest of them are just boring another 60's same song
California Dreaming - топ, остальное все какое-то однообразное
eeeeee , bueno, l o escucharia quizas en el bondi
Solid album with some good tunes. Manages to be different enough even though they're within the same themes. Still a bit samey though.
Some albums age like fine wine, others even gain a greater recognition in time, but this album really sounds stunk in the sixties. And that's not something necessarily bad, although it makes it feel not much interesting. The thing is, some songs are pretty great, there is a really nice sound in here between the more Californian rock that The Mamas & The Papas as well as The Beach Boys popularised back then and more folk and psychedelic hints. But some songs are not really strong, and there is a strange mixture between very well written and enjoyable tracks and some songs that are just very like everything else in the sixties. And, then, the interesting things in here are also opaqued by other bland ones. So, it's a good album, it surely is, and some songs are really catchy, but some moments become pretty monotonous and basic to really keep this album in a high level.
QUESTO ALBUM NON MI E' DISPIACIUTO AFFATTO. SCAVALCA LEGGERMENTE LA SOGLIA DELLA MUSICA DI SOTTOFONDO, RISULTANDO MOLTO PIACEVOLE PER UN GIRO CAMPAGNOLO E SOLEGGIATO IN MACCHINA. "CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' " CLASSICONE, MA LA MIA PREFERITA E' "GOT A FEELIN' ": MI FA SENTIRE COME SCRAT NELL'ERA GLACIALE CHE CERCA DI RICONGIURGERSI CON LA SUA GHIANDA (ALONE AGAIN NATURALLYYYY). 3/5
Beautiful harmony work
Pleasant music. I found myself humming some of the songs hours later after listening this morning. It kind of felt like a warm blanket of an album. The harmonizations were pleasant and upbeat, but I can’t really place a particularly strong emotion besides the music being nice to listen to. 6/1001
It was ok
Shoutout to the Wrecking Crew. Top 10 most unexpected Beach Boys covers also
California Dreaming, Spanish Harlem schon killer
Some great songs on this
The one song is really good I'll give it. The rest are dece Will I listen to again: 10%
Outside of the mega-hit it's sort of average but still somewhat imaginative, but California Dreamin' mostly steals the show and keeps it
not bad, decently enjoyable listen. a few good tunes. california dreamin holds up well. i also quite enjoyed 'you baby'. 3.1/5
The vocal harmonies make this. I get this ethereal, rose-tinted glasses nostalgic vibe from this, for some reason. I wouldn't be born for over 30 years after this came out. Most of the album has a strong 'soundtrack in a 60s film' vibe so maybe it's that California Dreamin' kind of annoys me though, but I can't really put my finger on it 3.5 Highlights: Spanish Harlem, Go Where You Wanna Go, Monday Monday
The songs I liked were 5 stars, but I didn't enjoy like half of them.
That guy was a total creep. The two gigantic hits plus a couple of other tracks make this record worthwhile
Cozy and competent, but not very exciting.
Just when you think you've heard everything The Mamas and the Papas have to offer, the next song comes on and you confirm that yes, you definitely have. It's still good though.
it was ok, california dreamin made it better but not my favorite
Oh, great, a 60s pop album for the 4th of July. Not exactly what I'd call quintessentially American music, but at least the band hails from the US. A problem with pop as a genre is that it tends to age really poorly, which is usually because it's a product of the era it was made. This album is no exception; it sounds incredibly 60s-and not always in a good way. Though the vocals are pleasant enough, they sound incredibly old in a bad way that proves detrimental to my enjoyment of this album. Lyrics are frequently basic but not terrible, and the underlying songs are decent enough. However, this album fails to convince me that it's essential listening in a sea of other 60s pop. While the Beatles and other bands were revolutionizing music as we know it, this group was putting out this album that could have been made 5 years earlier. There are some good songs, but most of it is disposable pop. This album is ranked #6 of 18 albums for 1966. Other 1966 albums rated by me: Revolver(1/18)-5 Wild Is the Wind(3/18)-4 Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme(4/18)-4 Aftermath(7/18)-4 Face to Face(8/18)-4 Midnight Ride(13/18)-2 Fred Neil(16/18)-3
648/1001 2026.07.01 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
So I knew a few of the songs, and I guess the rest was alright, but this 60s pop rock or whatever doesn't really do much for me.
California Dreamin’ is the only remarkable thing about this album. Three stars for that song and that song only.
couple good tunes, otherwise just meh
Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: I Call Your Name Date listened: 02/07/26 (during thesis!!) Listen when: Baking Went into a crazy deep dive at the library while procrastinating my thesis about the group drama.. affair within the 4 person group with a married couple is crazy.
I didn’t really love this. California Dreaming deserves its place here but the rest was sort of grating.
The good, the self written songs are classics, the harmonies are amazing and everyone has amazing voices. The not so good, the really weird production some songs sound relatively modern while others are super dated sounding. The covers aren’t done as well as the self written songs. Ok album and glad I listened to all of it
Engraçado, mas California Dreamin não carrega o album todo, há várias músicas que soam todas iguas
It was fine
I’m inclined to give it a bit of a bump because California Dreamin’ is an all-timer song and Monday Monday’s a bit of a classic too, but the album does just sort of wash over you for the most part as a collection of similar smooth sunshine pop sounds with no friction or variance. And for as much as the harmonies are beautiful, you’re competing with the likes of Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys and middle-era Beatles so you kind of need something that goes beyond just that, which the Mamas and Papas really don’t have generally here
cute but safe. typical 60s music
Its nice to hear on headphones a mid 60’s attempt at stereo mixing.
This was ok. California Dreamin is a great song. The rest of them are alright. They were doing weird stereo things, had some good harmonies. None of the other songs stood out but were listenable.
Mid except for California Dreamin'
Thought it was a bit boring until a banger song came on. Turns out i had accidentally queued Black Sabbath.
6/18/26. Good 60s pop album with tight harmonies. California Dreamin’ is a classic that I’ve heard countless times before, but there are a couple other gems packed in here.
It's fine. Nice pleasant enough listen. Don't know if I'll regularly be returning to it but I didn't dislike it.
cuteness, not rlly my thing tho, beach boyzy but less cool?
Not one I was expecting to enjoy too much, but damn this is a catchy album. It probably helps with all the covers being somewhat familiar from other versions. Plus California Dreaming is an all timer for a reason. A bit before my time but you can definitely feel the nostalgia. 3.5* rounded to 3*
They got their most recognizable songs on here and then everything else is unrecognizable and sounds the same
Two things. 1) I find this album to be fairly middling except for the two biggest singles off of this album. 2) Listening to "Spanish Harlem" keeps making me think its going to segue into the Little Drummer Boy. Bah-rum-pa-pum-pum.
Ehhhh
California Dreamin is one of the best songs ever. But I find the Mamas and The Papas music to be very daunting despite that not being the intention? It has like, horror movie vibes to me, maybe it's just the folk pop mix of the 60s
Cass has a great voice. Some lovely harmonies but the lyrics are cack. If it wasn't for California Dreamin' this would be 2 stars.
Classic folk group sound. Never really been blown away by the Mas and Pas.