If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears

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

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

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

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

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

Bleak-wood Mac

bruh i’m feeling the counterculture

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

*insert gif of Villanelle going “BORING” here*

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

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

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

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

Textured classics

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

Dang I feel like a dirty hippy

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

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

Good stuff. Probably more groundbreaking then than sounds now. Might get better with repeat listening, albeit accessible stuff anyway.

sixties pop rock, pretty enjoyable! a bit too much tambourine for me, but overall a pretty good entry. I know California Dreamin' is probably the big hit off this one, but I cant stand it. However I can recognize the talent behind the music in this case.

Too bad the collective harmony amongst this group wasn’t as great their vocal harmony was. A staple in the 60’s hippie culture cannon. About half of the album is cover songs, but they are pretty well done.

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

There was a chunk of time where, every time we saw friends, we played Singstar. The three songs none of us ever successfully duo'd were 500 Miles by The Proclaimers, Stay by Shakespear Sister and California Dreamin'. When you sing along to a track, you tend to sing a combination of both vocal parts and trying to stick to the "boy" vocals or the "girl" vocals, especially when you've had a decent amount of wine, was basically impossible for us. But it wasn't as painful as listening to us butcher Stay. Anyway, back to the album... The vocals are lovely. I have always liked Monday Monday. I liked the honky-tonk piano on the slightly oddly chosen Beatles cover. The Do You Wanna Dance cover is not as fun as The Beach Boys version or The Ramones version. I enjoyed this. Probably a 3.5 but not a 4 level enjoyment so: 3/5

Outstanding from start to finish. Like early beatles but with folk time and some psychedelic. Great harmonies, cool production, some mad stereo moments. Huge hits but the rest is also strong. First time I've listened to a whole album. Really good

Yeah, these guys were amazing. The hits are superb and the album overall is a cracker.

Great album ! It's nice to have more references from the 60's, and most of the tracks would fit really well in a reading session.

the songs you know, but didn't know you knew. nostalgia for a time before you existed. 60s gold✌🏻

This is not a super amazing album but the vibes are so nice and it’s got some classic (California Dreamin’ is an all-timer obviously, and Monday, Monday is great! I also have a soft spot for Go Where You Wanna Go) I think I’m biased because it was my mom’s first album she ever owned but whatever 5 stars

M&P are great. One of the classic bands and I love this album

I do love my mamas and my papas rip mama cass

I feel like we should’ve had this album on a Monday and not Friday but I’m still vibing. Were claire and I singing California Dreamin’ down the sidewalk on our walk to flour? Perhaps. Hehe Are those violins in Do You Wanna Dance?? I love what’s happening here. I wanna dance 😍 I love this era

I very much enjoyed this debut album listen! I’ve always loved The Mamas & The Papas ever since I was young. This is such a solid folk rock album and I love the harmonies and how their voices blend together to create beautiful music. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to this album in full so that was a fun experience. I will definitely be listening to this album again in the future!

Monday, Monday - beautiful vocals, definitely would listen to it! 6/10 Straight Shooter - its giving road trip in my van in the 60’s, great vocals, very catchy 6/10 Got a feelin’ - omg i love the sound of that song, very soothing, definitely would smoke out my brain to that lmao 7/10 I call your name - very jazzy!! meaningful lyrics i love it 8/10 Do you wanna dance - beautiful melody, i imagine going on some beautiful hike to that song, lyrically awesome! 8.5/10 Go where you wanna go - omg slow dancing to that shit i wish, also really beautiful 8/10 California Dreamin’ (Solo Ver) - CLASSIC ON OF THE BEST SONGS EVER CREATED, im not even describing that shit cause its just peak af 10/10 Spanish Harlem - Very heavenly, dreamy very cute lyrics, i do love it 8.5/10 Somebody Groovy - as the title says it is groovy af, id dance my shit to that, but girl i also need somebody groovy 8.5/10 Hey Girl - super catchyyy, but i dont have a lot to say except its a great song 8/10 You baby - aww really cutesy, very happy song, melodically awesome!!! love those soft vocals 9/10 The “in” Crowd - oh wow strong vocals that caught me off guard, but its really good, that woman’s voice is so powerful goddamn, also really catchy 9/10 Overall: its a classic everyone should listen to, it has California Dreamin’ on it lets be fr, 9.6/10

Lovely! Pretty harmony

A truly great album centered on an all-time single. I listened to this album on my own a few months before this was selected and was surprised by the quality of the deep tracks here. Now that I've listened through again I'm confirmed in my first impression. Consistently great folk/rock/pop music that combines catchy melodies with low key instrumentation.

This is my kind of music! I love Cass Elliot!! California Dreamin’ will always be a classic in my heart.

This album isn’t perfect, but tbh, it doesn’t have to be. Some tracks read 60s-corny (okay, and maybe I like the corniness anyway lol), and I skip them without guilt. But the highs? That’s why I fell for The Mamas & The Papas in the first place. This was my gateway into what would become my favs: "Lady Genevieve", "Blueberries for Breakfast", "Twelve Thirty", "Free Advice", etc. This album has a warm, golden, nostalgic mood that feels exactly like SoCal. Windows down, coastline, sun on your face, palm trees, you get it. And listening to The Mamas & The Papas hits especially hard in that exact situation. And don't get me started on the harmonies. Favs here: “Straight Shooter,” “I Call Your Name,” “Somebody Groovy,” and “Hey Girl.” And sure, “California Dreamin’” is iconic, but I swear their other tracks move me way more. This album didn’t just introduce me to the band—it introduced me to a whole mood.

Overall: 9/10 I seriously didn't expect to like this so much. I'm actually glad I had low-ish expectations, despite really loving the song California Dreamin'. What I didn't expect was the way this album reminded me of other 60's artists I adore (shades of The Beach Boys, The Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel). This is like Rubber Soul and Pet Sounds had a baby. Not only that, but there were moments that made me realize that these guys must have been influential on Abba and other 70s pop/disco artists. The songwriting is so good all throughout. I'll admit that the last few songs didn't wow me as much as the rest of the album but that might change as I relisten to them. It's a shame about the band's history though, truly messed up stuff right there! Fav Song: California Dreamin'

Dude! This album rules! Why have I never given this a fair shot I adored this. Definitely going to come back to it. The harmonies are so damn good and the arrangements are like pet soundsy. Great job wrecking crew. Aged super super well

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

Well it has a couple of classics and is performed well. I expect sounds more ordinary today than when released. Probably won’t be replaying very often but a generous 4.

'60s counter-culture icons in errant apostrophe horror! Have only heard the really big hits, which is surprising, as the really big hits are near perfect. Straight Shooter is a cool slice of California guitar pop, Monday Monday and California Dreamin' are the aforementioned big hits. Some of the stuff in the middle is, well, middling. The Beach Boys cover is inessential, i imagine it would have been even more so in 1966? Ditto Spanish Harlem. Honestly - this plays like a group of overnight sensations rushed into making an album, familiar cover tunes and all. But - those hits make this a very worthy listen.

Pretty lovely. Holy shit what a messy group. This is certainly a product of its time -- I could have guessed this came out mid-60s from 3 seconds of any song on the album. But, the harmonies are lovely and the songwriting is solid. Super pleasant. Only duds for me are "Spanish Harlem" and "You Baby." "Straight Shooter" is the surprising standout.

Lyrics are corny but who can hate the harmonies?

i feel like i shouldn't like this but it's nice and calming and chill

Throughly enjoyed thank you muchly

I cannot resist Mama Cass’s voice in particular and everyone’s harmonies in general.

Very solid mid-60s sunshine pop album! Every song was enjoyable, and there were plenty I distantly recognized. I hope John Phillips is rotting in Hell, though.

This felt like a really generic, mid-60s album with some nice harmonies on my first listen. On my second listen I was able to appreciate the instrumentation and how it compliments their voices. I also am a sucker for two singers overlapping with different lines like in Hey Girl and then coming together. Honestly, this could be a 5 with time.

Not so much my taste in music, but no denying nearly every song on this one is a classic.

Solid 60's Laurel Canyon pop. Near perfect album, the only downside was the inclusion of In Crowd to close it out. Otherwise 5 stars.

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

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

Breezy 60’s folk pop elevated by a couple of great songs in California Dreaming and Monday Monday. A perfectly pleasant album. 3.3

The 60's had a good amount of one-or-two hit wonders, and whether you like it or not The Mamas & The Papas fall into that category too. The problem with those artists is that usually they can't build up on the sound of their hits and just end up either trying to recreate it or do something much worse. That being said, there is nothing wrong with this album or band and they actually manage to put out some other charming, lush vintage pop rockers. Straight Shooter is a good example, I actually like it more than Monday, Monday. No song recreates the magic and beauty of California Dreamin but ago Where You Wanna Go is close enough. The rest of the album is quite lush and minimal, sometimes a bit too much. The vocal performances tend to be a bit faint, the instrumentation - a bit washed out. There is some filler which is a bit sad for a 33 minute album, but enough solid moments to keep it entertaining.

3/5. This album has a few very high highs. The opener “Monday, Monday”, “I call your name” and the all-timer single “California Dreamin’” are some truly great 60’s cuts. But the rest of the album is just kinda okay easy-listening. Great harmonies and a few great songs, but the album overall is just alright.

Very polished album with some great harmonies from '66 with California Dreaming and Monday Monday. A great example of sunshine pop.

Groovy hippy easy listening with a few great songs.

California Dreaming is an all-timer. Monday Monday and straight shooter are cool, rest are a mixed bag. The icky lore surrounding John Phillips tarnishes the listening experience. The panning hurts my little brain. Most of the songs feel like b sides from once upon a time in Hollywood

It's okay.

What to do when one quarter of a pop group is very likely an incestuous paedophile? Also, where's the lid for that toilet?

This was fine. Monday Monday and California dreaming stood out. Unfortunately the middle tracks felt a bit generic, not like awful, but not really interesting.

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

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

coughing baby coughing baby coughing baby coughing baby coughing baby coughing baby HYDROGEN BOMB coughing baby coughing baby coughing baby coughing baby coughing baby deserves to be one of the 1001? probably not. California Dreamin' would be a very deserving pick for a 1001 songs list though.

I thought that I recognized the sound of the album and then I realized why. This album is obviously on this list for a reason and I really enjoyed listening to it. I particularly liked the song “Got a feeling”!

Not my jam. Some of the hits are fine, and I guess I get why it was a big deal in its day, but I just don’t really vibe with the sound. There were other artists at that time that were doing new and revolutionary things that are more up my alley.

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

This album is the worst thing Papa John Phillips ever did

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

Boring

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

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

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