Elephant Mountain

I agreed with the person who said that this was a cross over album from psychodelia into folk rock. It was pleasant enough, just not a big fan.

Just a meandering mess of crap featuring a vocalist who should never sing.

Sunlight

Elephant Mountain is a decent album, but nothing particularly extraordinary. It has a nice overall sound and a few enjoyable moments, though it doesn’t really stand out. The songs are generally solid, and there’s a certain charm to the album that makes it easy enough to listen to. However, some tracks feel a bit forgettable, and I didn’t find myself wanting to come back to them. It’s not a bad album by any means, just one that doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression. The atmosphere works well, and there’s enough here to keep things interesting for the most part. Still, it feels like something is missing to make it truly special. I can appreciate what the album is going for, even if it doesn’t fully click with me. Overall, it’s a perfectly fine listen, but not something I’d go out of my way to revisit. A solid but fairly unremarkable album.

Elephant Mountain is a misleading abum with weird song placement. Full of jazzy and perhaps certain country elements noticeable in the beginning, if offers almost no material to attentively listen to for the first half of hour. "On Sir Francis Drake" included a pondering guitar instrumental sound, but again I wouldn't consider it anything amazing. It's merely serviceable background music. Nearing the end, you have a couple decent rock takes, "Quicksand" and "Sham". It's weird that those are placed like this, and even more strangely, the last track "Ride the Wind" is indistinguishable from a lullaby. Certainly, not every record ought to be an exploding blast of screams, crazy riffs and all that jazz. I am totally fine with soothing, calm music like downtempo or ambient. Yet with this one, I see no justification for why it's outstanding, even though the music was neither obnoxious nor talentless.

Bom

Quite nice, like a more chilled out CCR. Quicksand was a great tune, Northern Soul vibes. Rest was just ok. Interlude tracks were a bit odd but ‘Turn it over’ at the end of Side A was funny.

It was OK - some interesting tracks on here.

I really like half of this and dislike the other half. Rating as a 4 so I revisit.

An enjoyable selection, thanks!

This was likeable enough, a mix of folk and rock that sounded like it could come from about 4 different decades.

There is one good song on this (Darkness, Darkness).

Nice sounding but nothing extraordinary.

fine I guess, but unremarkable. 3/5.

I just dont have that much to say about this. It was fine. Thats it. Just a fine folky rock thing from the ealry 70s late 60s. Honestly 24 hours later I dont remember much more. All I know is it happend and thats about it. Good enough but not memorable

Folksy, feeling pretty 70's & 80's in its vibes and construction. Some synth and reverb showing the experimentation taking place, with call backs to the Beatles and other important bands of the decade prior.

Gave it a shot, not for me

Yeah nah

I liked the opening track, Darkness, Darkness. It was reminiscent of Band On The Run in the sense that it was like multiple songs in one. The rest of the album was largely enjoyable. Never heard of The Youngbloods before, this was a decent discovery.

Flummig pop. Undrar om min pappa hade koll på dem?

1. 4 2. 3 3. 2.5 4. 3 5. 2.5 6. 3.5 7. 2.5 1. 3 2. 2.5 3. 4 4. 4 5. 2.5 6. 3

A good listen. Will almost certainly revisit (even if just for a palate cleanser between Iron Maiden and Snoop Dog).

Fine

This was a pretty good listen for a rainy autumnal Sunday. I could've done with less jazz-noodling but there were some really good moments in there. A high three.

Decent folk rock with a jazz bend to it. My favorite track was "Darkness, Darkness" which I've now learned is not an original song by Kieran Hebden. Fun fact: The track "Rain Song" was cowritten written by a married couple, and the wife ended up killing her husband.

The boring rock albums never stop.

Not my thing. Particularly don't like On Sir Francis Drake boring. What a strange album. The good bits like quicksand good 3 touching on a 4. The bad bits are really bad see above 1 is overdoing it.

What the hell was that? One minute they're jamming, the next you're listening to some of the worst jazz known to man. No idea how this got in the list, but I know to avoid it now.

It's a nice, easy listen but none of the songs stand out individually to me. None I would go back and listen to on their todd

I like a lot All the songs, and even the instrumental tracks are great Instrumentation is smooth and groovy, singing is nice, although I have mixed thoughts on the echo that feels a little too delayed at times Silly short track to remind you to turn the disk over is peak

Any friend of Maharshi is a friend of mine

Angenehmer Mix aus Prog, Folk, Psych und Jazz. Solide, aber hat mich jetzt auch nicht begeistert. 3/5

What a pleasant surprise, this album is excellent

A new one for me, and I liked the Americana folk tinged vibe. Negative marks for the unfinished sound - it felt like every song took a minute or so to get started

When I saw the artist's name, I thought it was gonna be rap. I was pleasantly surprised to hear this album. I agree that this is an album one should hear before I die, but only in its entirety. There were no songs that really stood out for me or that I will remember in particular.

This was a fun album. I had heard OF the Youngbloods but never took the time to listen. Their mix of West Coast Psychedelia and East Coast Jazz was smooth and cool to hear. I know a lot of artists attempted it but their execution is smooth. The instrumental Trullium was a perfect example. Actually, there were a lot of instrumentals on here: On Sir Francis Drake, Double Sunshine, et al. It felt the the last half the album fell a little but then got punched up again with Sham. Unfortunately the Xylophone Ride the Wind pulled it back down again. This was an intriguing album I return to some time.

Random thoughts: * I was surprised this was the "Get Together" band. But didn't have "Get Together" on the album. * In retrospect, this seems like a straightforward folk-rocker in the shades of CSNY and The Byrds etc. * I don't have a ton to say about this album. * I did like the jazzy and folk interludes. I wished they were longer. * There was so much music in the late 1960s. I'd dare say too much. I can see how easily this fell through the cracks. There was much more interesting music to be listening to instead of this. * Will I come back to this one; highly unlikely.

nothing rlly stood out.. its kinda just there?

Quite liked that actually. Darkness darkness, will listen to this one again in the future.

Given all the crappy late-1960s/early-1970s country rock we’re constantly bombarded with on this list, I was expecting the worst when this one came up. But it’s quite good! Despite some obviously dated musical sounds and instruments, much of this felt fresh, vital and overlooked. At times some of the songs sounded like they’d come from an episode of THE MONKEES or THE BANANA SPLITS, but somehow in a good way? Overall — much to my surprise — I really enjoyed this one. 3-1/2 stars

Good. Definitely a product of the late '60's. Enjoyable.

Once you past the album cover that looks like a lost Far Side comic, it’s still …. Meh

Very bland not-quite-beatles-not-quite-anything-else. Old people music, man! Rock that gives nothing at all. Not even Jazz. Nothing at all. 2 stars because it's not offensive enough to give one, doesn't even do that.

Yet another of these really boring half 60s rock half 70s country albums that's just really quite dull. I liked the last track but other than that this did nothing for me sorry

If had heard it in the day may have bought it

This is a very misleading album cover. I was expecting punk/metal. Darkness, Darkness is a song I have heard before but I don't think it was this original version. Good song though. The whole album is all over the place. Jazz, blues, country, The Beatles. The musicianship is great but it's not something I would revisit.

Quicksand was a standout

Pretty jazzy. Sometimes a bit too much for my taste, but the last song "Ride the Wind" is quite nice

Don't know much about the Youngbloods, never listened to any of their albums before today, but I'm really enjoying this one. psychedelic country rock, beautiful songs. I knew 'Darkness Darkness' from various cover versions.

After getting past the first couple of songs with their heavy echo effects, this settled down into a decent album, with hints of rock and folk, bits of funk and hints of jazz, especially in the short interludes which are little bundles of fun. Album highlights for me were the feelgood Beautiful and the entertaining ragtime style jazz of Don't Let The Rain Bring You Down. Ride The Wind just about holds enough intrigue and experimentation to not go down a muzak route, and you leave the album feeling more light and fluffy than you felt before it started. 4 stars.

Beetje Jazzy muziek. Klinkt prima.

I only knew this band from the song Get Together, which is not a song I particularly like all that much. Given that, I wasn't sure what to expect from today's album. In the end, I found this record...ok. There were no songs I loved, but some that were quite pleasant sounding. It had a different sound than I expected, with a bit more jazziness to make it more interesting than a lot of the other late 60's stuff on the list. Not a whole lot more to say other than none of it will be all that memorable, but I'm not mad that I listened to it. It's the epitome of a 2.5, and I have no clue what I'll give it for an actual rating tomorrow.

Interesting. Sounds way ahead of its time. Didn't completely get into the songs, but nice to have in the background.

Loved Sunshine

I really enjoyed this.

nice listen

Some of the songs are amazing. Others, not so much. On balance, great album.

Eclectic, odd, meandering. Wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d give it 3.5 honestly.

This was a mix of country, folk, and psychedelia. It had a kind of subdued feel, and even though I listened to it twice, I couldn't vibe with it. It was, to be honest, dull to me.

It was ok, pleasantish I guess. No song stands out on the album

Sonoridade esperada da época, curtindo o finalzinho da psicodelia do período. Algumas canções instrumentais que se destacam, chamam a atenção pela sua natureza solta, verdadeiros Jams improvisados. É legal. Talvez seja pela própria natureza da banda e sua dinâmica, mas esse disco é altamente inconsistente, não só em seus temas mas também na sua qualidade. Algumas canções soam como verdadeiros clássicos, perdidos pelo tempo, enquanto outras parecem relíquias abandonadas. Sendo assim, a escuta acaba não sendo plenamente satisfatória. Causa bastante alarde. 3.5/5

Never heard of these dudes, and I feel like I've been exposed to this style of music my whole life. Interesting. "Darkness, Darkness" is a reallllly cool song...... feels truly old-timey, but builds into something else. The performances here are really on-point. The drummer is accurate as hell. These guys play live a lot. Hahaha ok I'm typing that while listening to "On Sir Francis Drake," and the take just fell apart, and the band starts just jamming on a blues progression. Ha! I love it. "Beautiful" sounds like Janis Joplin should've sung on it. The band again is so tight. A joy to listen to. Another reviewer here mentioned jazz, but I'm not hearing any jazz at all. There is some jamming here, like on "Francis Drake" and "Trillium," but nothing like overt jazz..... The final track, "Ride the Wind" is kind of jazzy..... a bit of light elevator jazz to send you back up to your penthouse aparatment. Always love a bit of vibraphone. Yeah I'm here for it. Easy - FOUR STARS

While I understand the historic context, this album is one of the best 1001 albums that must be listened to? Seriously?

I'm always sceptical when a band from the 60s I've never heard of comes up. Can they really be any good if I've never heard them recommended or mentioned as an inspiration or point of comparison at this point? This album is a reminder that the quality of music coming out of the late 60s was so good that even bands that get completely overshadowed by the big, well known names can be pretty great. I really enjoyed the vibe and variety of this one.

*Elephant Mountain* (1969) is the third studio album by The Youngbloods and a significant record that captures the band at a pivotal moment of transition . It followed the departure of co-founder Jerry Corbitt, reducing the band to a trio of Jesse Colin Young, Lowell "Banana" Levinger, and Joe Bauer, and it marked a move towards a more eclectic sound . While the band is often remembered for the peace-and-love anthem "Get Together" from their debut, *Elephant Mountain* is a more complex and ambitious work that, though not without its flaws, reveals the band's true depth . ### 🎵 Musical Style and Production Musically, the album is a rich and varied blend of folk-rock, country, and jazz influences, held together by the band's impressive instrumental interplay . The production, primarily helmed by a then-unknown **Charlie Daniels**, was crucial in shaping this unique sound . The band recorded at RCA studios with top engineers, resulting in a warm and vivid audio quality, although the original release was marred by RCA's "Dynagroove" process, an ill-conceived audio enhancement that many audiophiles criticized . The guest musicians, including fiddler **David Lindley**, saxophonist **Plas Johnson**, and vibraphonist **Victor Feldman**, contributed sophisticated textures that range from the Appalachian-tinged fragility of "Darkness, Darkness" to the chamber-jazz feel of other tracks . The album's diversity is one of its defining features, showcasing the band's improvisational skills and their ability to shift from hard-rock dirges to gentle, whimsical folk-pop . ### ✍️ Lyrics and Themes The lyrical content of *Elephant Mountain* is a central part of its identity, moving between deep personal angst and gentle optimism. The themes can be seen as reflecting the broader tensions of the late 1960s: * **Despair and Isolation:** The most powerful example is the opening track, "Darkness, Darkness." The song is a haunting, raw expression of seeking refuge from inner turmoil and the horrors of the Vietnam War . Jesse Colin Young wrote it after a frightening acid trip and while thinking of a friend who had died in the conflict, creating an anti-war anthem that resonated deeply with American soldiers . The lyrics like "Nothing that I see / Can get through this wall to me" from "Quicksand" deal with similar themes of depression and being trapped . * **Optimism and Playfulness:** This heavy subject matter is counterbalanced by moments of light and humor. The band's "good timey" roots are evident in upbeat tracks like "Sunlight," "Beautiful," and the humorous "Rain Song (Don't Let the Rain Bring You Down)" . This juxtaposition of light and dark is key to the album's character. ### ⚖️ Pros and Cons Based on the available reviews, the album has clear strengths and weaknesses, which can be summarized as follows: **Pros 👍** - **Deeply Moving Highlights:** The album contains career-best material, most notably the opening track "Darkness, Darkness," a powerful and emotionally resonant song about the Vietnam War that has been covered by artists like Robert Plant and the Screaming Trees . - **Eclectic and Skilled Musicianship:** The band demonstrates impressive versatility, smoothly moving between folk, country, psychedelia, and jazz-rock . Their skill as instrumentalists is undeniable, and the contributions from the session musicians add a layer of sophistication that keeps the album feeling fresh even decades later . - **High Production Values:** The work of producer Charlie Daniels and the recording engineers resulted in a warm and detailed sound that many listeners appreciate, especially on audiophile reissues . **Cons 👎** - **Inconsistent Songwriting:** While the highlights are strong, many critics feel the album as a whole is uneven. It has been described as "incredibly mediocre" and "bland," with many songs failing to reach the heights of the best tracks . - **Self-Indulgent Experimentation:** Some of the more improvisational and psychedelic tracks, like "On Sir Francis Drake," are seen as aimless or unpleasant, with "weird rhythms that feel more like blunders than something intended" . - **Dated Elements:** A few songs, such as the leftover "Rain Song," carry a "dated patina" that can make the album feel like a quaint artifact rather than a timeless classic . ### 💡 Influence and Legacy *Elephant Mountain* stands as a "long-neglected gem" and an "unsung excellent late '60s album" . While not a groundbreaking record on the scale of *Sgt. Pepper's* or *Pet Sounds*, its importance lies in its artistic integrity and the influence it has had on other artists . The album's sound and approach are seen as a precursor to later works by artists like Paul Weller . It also serves as a vital snapshot of a San Francisco Bay Area band navigating the transition from the folk revival to a more jazz-influenced, complex rock sound, setting the stage for Jesse Colin Young's successful solo career . Despite its uneven nature and some dated experiments, *Elephant Mountain* is an album that rewards patient listening. Its best moments are powerful and sincere, capturing a band at a crossroads who, while not always successful, were unafraid to reach beyond the simple formula that had brought them their one pop hit.

Loved this!

Really like this one.

This isn't as bad as I expected. It's got some redeeming qualities here and there but is pretty bland. It all sounds sort of mildly familiar but I think that's because there is just so much out there that sounds exactly like this. I don't have much else to say about this one, it is aggressively inoffensive to the point of beige-ness. 2/5

I kinda liked this. 2.6

Pleasant, especially in the instrumentation. A little twee at times. I quite liked the jazzy Trillium. I already know I'll struggle to remember it, though. Rounded up from 5/10.

I liked this well enough, though was never blown away. I actually listened to it twice, but am wracking my brain to remember any stand out moments. Reading about it, seems like it was a notable, transitional album. I got this the day after the Eagles debut, which is a much more fully-realized country rock album (and it came out only 3 years later).

Easy listening.

Folk rock ✔️ A little psychedelic ✔️ Chilled and a little jazzy ✔️ This could be a 5 but overall the rest of the album slant live up to Darkness Darkness, which is one of those sit up and listen songs. 4.5

I think this is an interesting album. There's a lot of blending of styles and there's not one part of the album that sounds the same as another. I like parts of this album, but not the full thing, it's definitely creative and it has a unique vibe to it. I just don't know if it's something that I really feel sticks with me. Fav Track: Don't Let The Rain Bring You Down

#453/1001. It seems someone else making this list shares at least one soft spot with me: psychedelic era folk pop / rock. My knowledge about psychedelic era music is limited to a few cd collections of hits and a bit more better familiarity to a few acts. So the Youngbloods were a fresh new introduction, and certainly not a bad one. The more they step out of the blues and jug band hookah the better they are. Nice find.

nothing special

Liked this album, a couple songs/moments I didn't care for, but Sunlight is so so good

staid, 60s folkish rock

As soon as the first song started, I was like, “AmI listening to Celtic music? This is so cool!” But then as the song went on, I had hard time with discordance. I loved the lyrics in Darkness, Darkness and how they openly sing about mental health. I feel like they’re such a blend of different genres and I can imagine seeing them live back then would’ve been such an experience.

Okay I guess. Interesting bridge between psychedelic and Americana, with some harpsichord for good measure. Fun but forgettable.

Folk-Jazz-Rock elevator music or on hold phone music. It's there, nothing stood out.

Startede virkelig godt ud, men stritter for meget genremæssigt, så det ender med at skuffe. Havde bluesdelen været udeladt, ville jeg nok have bevaret mere begejstring.

That first song almost had me convinced that I was really missing out by not hearing this sooner! The violin really helped it feel a lot like an American version of a Fairport Convention album. Unfortunately, nothing else even comes close to that. It's all jazz rock that might have been slightly boundary pushing for its day, but it's not particularly exciting or all that well-done.

I dig it. Album had a solid flow and variety to it. Some cooler, jazzy moments and folksy rock moments.

257. ok

Not my cup of tea, but massive credit for sounding so modern. Not sure if that says more about modern albums, though. Extra point for a very nice electric piano.

Stylistically, all over the place, not bad, just unoffensice & not really memorable.

Oh goody, another group of 60s dudes doing country-fried roots rock. It’s not bad music, it’s just kind of there. The last track is literally elevator music!

Folk Rock, 1969 -> 2

If Earth had a sound. And that sound wasn't particularly pleasant or interesting. And Sir Frances Drake was mentioned for some reason.

The opening track is excellent, and if the rest of the album had followed suit, this would have been a standout album for me. Ultimately, this ended up being very middle-of-the-road and I'm not sure why it's on this list. There have been a lot of forgettable 60s/70s albums by male groups, and it brings the extreme gender imbalance of this list into further question. If the albums truly felt essential, that would be one thing, but why is this on the list and Carly Simon's No Secrets isn't? Standout Track: Darkness, Darkness Rating: 3

The cover artwork is interesting. The music, well ... there are violins, constantly noodling guitars mixed way too loud and titles like "On Sir Francis Drake".

Very much of its time this record sounds like a lot of its contemporaries throwing lots of influences on the mix like folk pop, R&B, jazz and some psychedelia. While this results in a familiar sound the one thing missing is good, memorable songs.

6/10

quicksand SLAPS

Nothing noteworthy

5/10 bland

This band seems to have not stood the test of time like similar bands from their era, and I can see why. Darkness, Darkness is great (and so are the covers of it by Mott the Hoople, Robert Plant etc.). The rest of this album is not unpleasant (though some of the shifts between styles feel pretty out of nowhere) but is entirely forgettable.

Unsure how they didn’t become more of a household name! Really enjoyed this album and impressive they were able to merge genres to sound this tight! Reminds me a bit of the inventiveness and spontaneity of the Grateful Dead.

Oh aight youngblood I fuck witcha