Reviews (page 7 of 8)
Toe tapping, easy listlening
I won't add it 5o my regulat rotstion. Bit bland
Pretty boring album even though I usually love this kind of music.
Eh. More late '60's rock with little to distinguish itself from everything else going on at the time. Not bad, but just forgettable. Why would they pick this album? Their first album had their biggest hit.
I didn’t really expect to be given an album that I had never heard of the band. Some obscure ones that I’d never listened to maybe. But I’ve never heard of The Youngbloods. Gave it a couple of listens but never clicked
Not sure why I disliked this as much as I did. I enjoyed the first track a lot but then ... not so much for the rest.
first track: there's no way this is an album from 1969 this is incredible most of the rest of the album: uuuuuuuuuuuuuuggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Vond vooral de bangers die ik al kende erg leuk en “Humble Mumble”. En vette afspeel-visual
Favourite Songs: Sunlight
A few okay tracks but a lot that can be skipped over. The instrumental tracks in particular are very weak and meandering. Wouldn't hate hearing a song or two on the radio, but not a great album to listen to as a whole. Top tracks: Sunlight, Beautiful
Darkness, Darkness - 4/5 Smug - 2.5/5 On Sir Francis Drake - 3/5 Sunlight - 3.5/5 Beautiful - 2/5 Rain Song - 2/5 Trillium - 2/5 Quicksand - 2.5/5 Sham - 2.5/5 Ride the Wind - 2/5 I can see how this bridged the gap between the psychedelia and folk rock between the 60's and 70's, but at this point it sounds more like background music than anything else. Overall: 2/5 Favorites: Darkness Darkness, Sunlight
Warm, lightly psychedelic grooves built from gently chiming guitars, relaxed bass lines, soft organ swells, and easy-flowing percussion that moves this Folck-Rock album like a sun-bleached road trip where the scenery is pleasant enough but so mild and hazy that it quietly drifts past without leaving much behind.
Pretty nice and relaxing, I'll probably have to give it another listen. Nothing about any of the tracks really stood out to me though and it didn't strike me as very noteworthy or interesting.
Pretty lame.
I’ve got to admit, I had no idea who the Youngbloods were when I saw they were today’s album. Turns out nobody does except for one song, Get Together, a Chet Powers song they covered in 1967. You know, the whole, “Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now.” Though it wasn’t a big chart-topping hit, I feel like it was on the radio or in movies all the time. Today, the song would be more like, “Come on people now, judge your brother, just be a-holes, and try to hate each other right now.” Or something like that. While I enjoyed this album, I can’t really understand why the third album of the Youngbloods is something you must hear before you die. Even when it came out in 1969, critics weren’t over the moon about it. In fact, some thought the Youngbloods' music wasn’t as good on that album as a key member of the band left the group before its recording. The songs are interesting, I guess. They are kind of a mix between pop and rock from the era. However, there are several types of genres the Youngbloods move through throughout the album. I’m struggling to really find anything to really crow about. It’s a nice album, but one I don’t think I’d ever listen to again. I’m not a huge 60s era folk/hippie music guy. The Summer of Love didn’t mean anything to me music-wise unless it was Jimi Hendrix, maybe the Doors. For those who love the Grateful Dead, the Guess Who, the kind of music played during those Scooby Doo, Where Are You cartoons from the '60s, I think you’d dig this the most. Otherwise, except for a few instances of great musicianship, I felt bored during this album.
I’ve never heard of The Youngbloods before, but Elephant Mountain definitely sounds like an album that Bob Belcher would say that he had on vinyl when he was in his twenties. I have no idea what to expect from this album, but I’ve been getting some pretty good albums from the late sixties lately, so hopefully, The Youngbloods can keep that trend going. All things must come to an end at some point, and my streak of good albums from the late sixties ends today with this uneven album from The Youngbloods. As soon as “Darkness, Darkness” started, I had high hopes that I had stumbled upon another hidden gem. I loved the rich atmosphere that was created on this song. The guitar and electric piano playing were outstanding, and I loved the echoing effect on the vocals. This song sounded so clean and intimate, and I loved how the vocals were mixed to be in the forefront of the overall sound. But from there, the album managed to slowly lose me. “Smug” was quite the vibe shift from “Darkness, Darkness,” but I thought that like the track before it, it showed how good The Youngbloods could be at crafting their sound and building their arrangements. The guitar playing was really good, and I really loved the trumpet playing too. But from there, this album became a hodgepodge of various styles, and it felt like the songs on this album weren’t really connected to one another. After “Smug,” the only song that I felt was noteworthy was “Quicksand.” I enjoyed the gentle vocals, and the arrangement was beautiful. The saxophone solo was really great too. But the other songs on this album just didn’t create that mood and atmosphere that “Darkness, Darkness” had, and nothing else on the album sounded remotely close to it. I didn’t think there was anything particularly unique about this album outside of that first track. Elephant Mountain pulled me in quickly, but lost my interest just as fast.
Interesting and experimental but not cohesive enough IMO
For meget jam band shit, det er en skam for de egentlige sange er ret fede!
plaatje dat direct naar de achtergrond verdwijnt... instant vergeetbaar
2.49 Yeah I don't know. It's music, that's for sure. The mix between different genres fits for one song and then messes up the next one. There's no red thread in the album, nothing you could hang on to get behind the meaning of it. I'm sure it has its' fans, but I'm not one of them. Still better than many other albums, so I'll put it right below 3 stars.
El primer tema bárbaro... el resto? BODRIOOO Nota: 2.0
Ok
Intensely middling. Not much to hate on other than a few irritating guitar tones. But, I just finished this album twenty seconds ago and I’ve already forgotten about it for the rest of my life.
4/10
Nothing to see here, move along.
Wait? Did I actually listen to this yesterday or not?
All tramsig folkpop kräver kontextualisering
The musicianship is good, but there's just not enough to really sink my teeth into. This brand of country rock tends to drag over time. I probably won't return to this.
I'd love to check out Elephant mountain. This was an OK listen, but it didn't really offer an "album that you must hear in your lifetime". I just felt like I listened to all ~40 minutes of it and it was a little too much on the backburner for me to really buy into it. There are times where the band jams a little, like the end of "Trillium", and I actually liked that just as much as the more energetic composed sections, but it was all a bit too grey for me to want more.
Fine. Never heard it. Don’t need to again.
Not my thing. Sunday morning jazz brunch material in spots, folksy but not memorable in others. This group had one hit, and it wasn't on this album.
Nothing special. Very 60s.
meh, no.
Cruise ship music sung by the old pervert from family gyy
I liked "Darkness, Darkness" a lot, the vocal layering was really cool. The rest of the album was quite forgettable for me, though, unfortunately.
Boring
I get that his album bridges the gap between the psychedelia heavy era of the late 60s to the early 70s country-rock focused years, creating a weird folky blend, which maybe makes it kind of relevant? Unfortunately, this blend isn't particularly good. At least it deserves a bonus for being not as forgettable as most of the albums of the aforementioned styles. 2.5/5
Listened to this while playing Spire's End. I lost to Blob #2. I wish I was joking. I can absolutely imagine the person who loves this album. I can also imagine myself with abs. Unfortunately...I'm not that person. Just meh at best.
5/10. Unos pseudo beatles que no recordaré dentro de dos semanas.
++: On Sir Francis Drake, Beautiful, Rain Song (Don't Let the Rain Bring You Down), Quicksand, Sham +: Smug, Sunlight, Double Sunlight, Ride the Wind +-: Darkness, Darkness, Turn It Over, Trilium, Black Mountain Breakdown 5,5/10
não foi um dos piores álbuns que já ouvi mas definitivamente também não chegou nem perto dos melhores. escutar a voz do vocalista me deu ódio. o country que aparecia do nada me deu ódio. a guitarra que aparecia uma vez ou outra e chegando pro final o estilo que chegou a me lembrar de uma bossa deu uma “salvada”.
Didn't really land with me. Even for a song that I kinda dug, the vocals seem a little soft and felt inert? Favorite track: Ride the Wind
I can't say it's bad, but it didn't do much for me for the most part. Probably 3 or 4 songs that are actually worth listening to, but the rest is kinda plain. 4/10
Good. Mixture of late 60’s pop and jazz noodle. Very much of its time but well worth a listen.
An intresting mixture of folk, country and - verry little - rock. Intresting but 1001?
An interesting look at one of the 60’s less popular bands. Pleasant songs that show what was happening at the time without being overly derivative
It started off as oh God, another one of these albums then I thought it would start to take off, and it never did.
folksy stuff, not my thing, bit tepid
I consider myself fairly well-versed in 60s psych (and psych-adjacent) stuff, but this one has totally passed me by until now. It's from the more palatable end of the alt-country-rock spectrum for sure - soulful vocals, pleasant enough sounds, it threatens to wander off into instrumental and improv hell after the opening track but does right itself occasionally. The problem is, there are just not any songs of any real quality here - it ultimately comes off like a bunch of songs rejected by other artists. It's hardly an essential listen, but at the same time it's a totally inoffensive collection which spans pop, country, rock, jazz and soul but never satisfactorily commits to any of the above in a convincing manner, nor does it ever threaten to concoct something exciting and new from those ingredients.
Pretty forgettable
Something about a troupe of rich boys from Greenwich Village singing like theyre black sharecroppers from Mizzou makes me itch. It's alright.
Nothing interesting here. 'Nuff said.
Meh. It was fine, but halfway through it started pissing me off that this list managed to find the dad rockiest counterculture ever. So it lost a star.
Country rock. Nice and soft, but without an edge, leaving a boring anomynous expression after a few songs.
I’m usually a sucker for folk rock but this is so boring
Mix of instrumental and vocals, a bit one note throughout - elevator music. Wouldn't listen again
Mellow, fairly easy listening but lacking structure and cohesion at times
Ok 2/5
Interesting, but not really my jam.
nothingburger
It was fine but basically a nothing album.
This was a whole lot of nothing.
It isn't bad but there isn't really much appealing to me either. A few instrumental parts that I like.
habe in den ferien wirklich besseres zu tun als alte folkscherben zu hören, sorry.
Gear: Aür Audio Aurora Artwork: 🧱⛰️🏔️ Production: 🙄🤔🤷 Music: 🥦🐖🍯 Rating: 🐘🐘/5
It was alright. Nothing special.
Until today I've never listened to The Youngbloods. I quite enjoyed this, I enjoyed the progressive nature of some of the songs. Standout tracks for me were Darkness, Darkness and Quicksand. Not sure I will revisit it but I enjoyed what I heard.
The album starts good with "Darkness, Darkness" but soon Turnschuhe into nice background-music for me. 2,5
Another strange inclusion. Limited appeal.
I’ve never heard of this band and I like the album cover, but this underwhelmed me. The jazzy parts just weren’t all that interesting. I liked the more psych-rock sections such as Sham. Favorite songs were Don’t Let The Rain Bring You Down and Sham.
J - 2/5 Best Track - "Sunlight" F - DNL
But why?
This album can’t decide what it wants to be. Are they a jug band? Blues? Easy listening? Jazz? It doesn’t do any of them badly, but without nailing any of them it feels overwrought and rudderless
They’re a little bit country. They’re a little bit rock and roll.
the album "bridges the gap between the last days of psychedelia and the outbreak of country-rock" NOT ALL GAPS NEED FILLING
This was an interesting listen. I don’t know how to classify it - rock, country, adult contemporary? The opening track was best - reminds of Fleet Foxes. Francis drake gives Doors vibe. Beautiful reminds of Black Crowes. But much of the album feels like coffee house or “on hold” fodder especially Sunlight and Ride the Wind hold music. It’s not offensive and probably deserves a 3 musically and for the ear but simply something I’m doubtful to ever listen to again. 2/5
This is #day317 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… I've got to admit, this was a pretty tedious listen. Forty minutes of psychedelic country/blues noodling had me checking the tracklist more than once to see how much longer I had to go. This is a 2 out of 5, mostly because I have a soft spot for the late '60s. Also, that red pile in the very front of the cover looks like a pile of shit. Given the album title, elephant's shit maybe? Looking forward to #day318.
Not my style
Boring but had its moments.
Not annoying but pretty boring.
A tough one for me. I really like aspects of the album/songs, but then it would jarringly switch sounds/feel. To the point I kept checking that I hadn't accidently switched artists.
weird, kinda eh
Had some hope for this when I read the reviews. Too folky for me.
I cannot decide how I feel about this album. The main this I can say is that the songs with no vocals are the much better songs on the album. It just felt like a sampler of a bunch of different styles, all decently executed but with no theme or other factor tying them together. I can’t think of a reason to really return to this album.
Het klinkt allemaal best aangenaam die cocktail aan jazz, psychedelic rock en folk, maar het is ook weer bloedirritant om naar te luisteren. Vooral omdat het allemaal nét niet catchy is, terwijl dat wel de insteek lijkt. Kan er dan ook geen voldoende voor geven. 5/10
disparate styles - some nice electric piano, some folk-rock, some mild psychedelia, some ragtime - inconsistent and sketchy
On one hand, I love how this album caters to a variety of sounds an tastes. However, I felt that some aspects were slightly stronger than the others. I definitely preferred the folk/bluegrass tracks, I felt that they stood out more and sounded more refined, whereas the rock tracks were mostly forgettable.
i like don't know what to feel but i didn't dislike it! interesting that this is on the list bc it didn't really do that good
The 60s are overrated.
Fine. Prob I’d give it a solid 2-1/2 but so I’m gonna give it…. 3 No 2
needs more siren whistle
This album was so boring I forgot I was listening to it
A little all over the place I feel. Not really sure I "got" the instrumental tracks. They sounded just a bit like random jams in the middle of it all
Didn't really like the vocals, and the music veered into Steely Dan territory at times.
This was a bit of a Hodge podge of styles. It had bit of psyche, folk, country and god knows what, all slapped together over the course of the album. It could have been great, but it sounded like a slightly edgy Eagles. That's not good in my book. I don't think it was bad enough for a 1, but not really good enough for a 2. I'll sleep on it.
This will be featured in the Rom-Com I'm writing set in the original Woodstock. Not for me. I'll bet Evan has lots of good things to say.
Background music. 2/5
This album really started off pretty good! But then it just was like ok and went from like a bluegrass folky album into some jazz type thing haha it wasn't the worst album but just meh
Yeah, the first couple songs were good, and solid folk record. But there was nothing that was like holy smokes, what a record. And spotify autoplayed to their best song after, and it just trumped everything here, so solid 2.
Felt like background music to some Hippie B-Movie.
Nice Irish intro in first song Darkenss Darkness and thats my all from my highlight.
No thank you.
What do they do that stands out or is memorable? What is special about them? Am I missing something?
5.5/10. Probably not as bad as Happy Trails, which I listened to the same day. It had the advantage of being a little lighter with some catchier riffs and motifs. Still didn't fascinate me and felt like more of the same of some of the other stuff I'd heard. Nothing to get majorly excited about id say. .
Some nice guitar riffs, but that was about the only positive for me.
Fascinating to find an obscure American 1960s band whose discography has been reissued on Sundazed Records. Elephant Mountain was recorded at a time when co-founder Jimmy Corbitt left the band, leaving Jesse Colin Young as the primary songwriter. Elephant Mountain has a surprising amount of instrumental interludes that at times resemble Booker T. & the M.G.'s. Psychedelic rock mixed with country jug band, but all the tracks do not add up to a cohesive album. Beautiful and Sham are worth revisiting.
The band name sounds like they'd be country. The album art looks like it's country. The Wikipedia page lists the genres as folk rock and country rock. Everything was pointing towards me hating this album. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I would classify this album as blues rock with vocals that often lean towards folksy. It was alright, for something totally not for me. Probably won't listen again.
60's slop, Alan's psychedelic leftovers
A pastiche of different sounds that failed to come together into a coherent whole. I want to love an album that's a little psych, kinda jazzy, country rock-ish, but this isn't the one. This would be a mid-tier mixtape.
I don't love this guy's voice, but I didn't hate this. A few cringy hippie rhymes. I've already forgotten about this record a few hours after hearing it.
Когда играла первая песня, я думал, что это внезапный бэнгер. Когда играла четвертая песня, я чувствовал страшнейшую тревогу, закручивающуюся в моей голове. Лучшая песня - Darkness, Darkness.
fine
Pleasant but unmemorable
Caught some Dead vibes, some long and boring blues jam energy. I dig the xylophone. I didn't hate it, I think the diversity of the song style didn't create any sort of cohesion to the album so I just couldn't stay interested. I don't even know if that makes sense but .. neither did this album.
alright. not crazy. honestly a 2 for me
Could hear some history here and enjoyed some of it but probs wouldn’t go back
The most inoffensive album on this list.
Imagine having the year 1969 at your fingertips and being able to almost fill 100 albums of your challenge with that, only to finally stop at The Youngbloods' Elephant Mountain. This is pure madness.
I have heard much worse on this list - so I’ll give it a 2. But no way will I ever listen to this again on purpose. Pretty damn boring. I’m
More like the Yawnbloods.
Imagine you’re 83, on your deathbed, you finally get to the last album of 1001 Albums You Must Listen To Before You Die, and it’s this. You pass away listening to this. That scenario should serve as a litmus test for whether items are worthy of being included into these lists by listmakers. That is after all what the title suggests. Needless to say, this does does not pass said (imaginative) test.
Well, this was a strange one. A bit folky. A bit rocky. A bit jazzy. A bit country. A bit too averagey. Nothing stood out for me, and there was nothing to get my teeth into. It flowed over me like water over a rock. And left me just as cold. 2⭐️
Maybe I don't have the tolerance for this, but by gollie I do not enjoy 6 minute ambient songs.
The first track had potential (“Darkness, Darkness”), but the rest passed over without leaving an impression. Thoroughly mediocre. 2.5
Where is the elephant mountain? Just ok, nice variety of instruments. Early rock is quite tame
Not terribly impressive- just kinda meh
A hit and some fluffy filler. The hit is decent, and the fluff doesn’t suck.
Forgetable 4/10
This is quintessential coffee shop music. I can see how this band could be important in that there are sounds in this album that may have inspired greater things from others, but I see no such great things in this music alone.
Ok I suppose. Wouldn’t rush to listen again.
Started off Ok but quite dull.
This is fine, unremarkable. As another reviewer put it, this list fucking loves the 60s and puts in here anything that isn't the Beatles from that decade. This album, from any other decade, is a nothingburger.
I didn't find this very interesting. It was a bit all over the place. It was fine to listen to in the background.
Folk Rock des 60s. Not my stuff
Inoffensive but did nothing for me
Why is this here? It's so ..... blousey.? That's not it. No. It's diaphanous. It could blow away in a light breeze.
Oh my god, the supply of late sixties 'cult' bands on this list is endless! This is more folk-rock than some, but is really just more of the same. Nothing here to convince me that this is an under-appreciated masterpiece. I am bored to death of these types of albums. Not truly heinous, but inessential.
interesting album was good background noise but cannot recall a single song, nothing stands out
It's okay I suppose. 2.5/5
2,5
Not sure why this is on the list?
Maso
A bore. Disjointed. Wants to be deep but it's just shlock.
Just ok
Great musicians but the songs themselves fail to land for me.
Honestly just kind of forgettable. I liked the start of 'Darkness, Darkness', and it is the song that stands out the most to me, but then it flows in to the same kind of sound as the rest of the album turns out to also have. Paradoxically if the music has been worse it wouldn't have been as forgettable and it may actually have gotten a higher rating Standouts Darkness, Darkness 2/5
Taustamusiikkia, eli ei kovin mieleenjäävä tavaraa yhden kerran perusteella.
Not for me
1001 60s folk albums to fall asleep to
Nothing here for me. Not awful, but meh. 1.5 stars
Nothing bad here. Nothing great either.
A below average attempt at psychedelic.
Pretty forgettable 60s pop. Few random genres thrown about but on the whole pretty underwhelming
Johan on: keskiaikakitaroinnista hissibassojazziin ja melkein bossa novaan. Hassuja välihengailuja ja sitten melkein Beatles-melodioita. Piti viihdytettynä ja olihan tuo taitavaa, mutta mukana oli sellaista Beck-henkistä ironiaa, joten lopulta olin iloinen, että loppui. Kaks puol?
Some pleasant moments but there was so much music in this vein that sounds a million times better.
Dull, dull, dull.
Meh
just average 2.5/5
Not really my thing
Not a fan - too much xylophone
a really mellow album where nothing really stands out, but it's also quite pleasant. 2.5
I listened 20 hours ago and can’t remember a thing about it.
I see the appeal. It’s just not my type of music. Very calming.
I only know Get Together by Youngbloods and that song isn’t on this album. This is as average as average gets. It “bridges the gap” between psychedelia and country rock, but is that a gap that needs bridging?
Lots of different styles here, there was blues, folk, soul and a few others. Some attempts were better than others but I think it was bit too all over the place to really enjoy. Decent enough vocals, no absolute clangers but I think you'd be better off listening to better artists from the numerous attempted genres. 2.5 but closer to 2.
I liked parts of this but it was just on in the background. I hadn't even realised the album had finished as YouTube Music was playing such similar sounding stuff. Highlights: Darkness, Darkness Quicksand
Sort straddles the end of the psychedelic era and the coming of more country rock. It’s sort of the worst of both really. I found it to be pretty bland…
It was fine, I guess, but it just didn't really click for me.
I wish this website would show the curator's rationale for including a given selection. I found this album unremarkable. Maybe it's historically important - just a guess, because otherwise I don't get its appearance here. Not a bad record by any means, but not remotely as interesting as other country/folk-psych bands like The Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service or even The Byrds.
Meh
This did very little for me. It's fine but way too 60s jam band for me
the first song was perfectly nice and pleasant, the rest was a complete drag of 60s folk rock pleasantries. not a bad album per se, it's perfectly nice even, but why the hell was this included on the 1001 albums list? it's like including [tries to come up with a milquetoast album from my early teens] fun.'s Some Nights in the 2010s category because people were listening to that type of music i guess. docking a point just because it pissed me off.
- Unfortunately, the "We have the Beatles at home" of bands. The Youngbloods are trying things, but it is all fairly uninspired. Album is all over the place, but not in a captivating way. More just confusing and jarring. - "Sunlight" is a genuinely touching song. Very heart-warming. - Also found "Ride the Wind" interesting; apparently I find the more "easy listening" tracks to be a better direction for the Youngbloods. - Found some of the more gimmicky tracks ("Don't Let the Rain Bring You Down") downright annoying.
Mostly bland, and when it wasn't bland it was annoying. Did not need to hear this aimless guitar noodling.
It's an album that is too late to be unique. Just sounds like your run of the mill early 60s album.
Album was okay. Had some decent songs but in the end nothing that was really great. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
I'm surprised by how easy it is to listen to despite being from 1969. Kinda boring but not bad
was between a 2 or a 3 for me but I couldnt really get into it, too many songs were just boring. Pleasant to listen to but really boring
Not horrible, but definitely not my cup of tea. A bit too whimsical for me with all the vaudevillian like flourishes.
Fun little album. Hadn't heard them apart from "Get Together". Nice music to have on in the background. A mix of rock, blues, jazz. Some of it sounds a bit too elevator music. I ended up also listening to their second album, which features "Get Together", and I think I like that one a bit more than this one.
It was worth a listen, but probably not again.
Quickly became background and never returned. One and done.
This album was nice easy listening, but I found it a bit boring. Darkness, Darkness was a great start, and Smug was pretty good, but it felt like the energy dropped off after that. Also, totally forgot to give the Imagine cover by Khaled a shout out in my review yesterday, so I’m doing that now…despite my low rating on that album, that cover was sensational!
Good. Well produced. Smooth. Nothing jumped out. If asked, I may have thought it was Crosby Stills and Nash.
didn't quite get into this, a bit too slow for my liking, although "sham" was decent
BORING
Not bad at all but totally uninteresting. A bit clownish at times but quite forgettable. This last part of the list is gonna be a drag I think
Laaaaangweilig...
A couple of tunes that I enjoyed, but on the whole, not really doing for me.
Not keen on this one .
Didn't hate it, works as good background music but don't think I will be listening again
The album is just kind of there. Unnoteworthy. Nothing that stands out. It wasn't bad but I have no desire to listen to it again.
Meh. Nothing really special.
Too easy listening for my taste.
Was making me sleepy. Not what I'm into.
Not my favorite.
Mellow, transitional. 2/5
Kind of sleepy and boring. I like its genre, but I didn't connect with this. If 2.5 stars was available, that's what I'd give this.
Te langzaam
Litt for soft
No idea why this might be considered a must-hear album. It does sound like sort of a missing link between some styles of music and also some bands I do actually like. But the link is between those bands and hotel lobby style muzak. This is basically a toned down version of some of the more boring songs by The Beatles, America, and Creedence Clearwater Revival - alternated with muzak. The parts that have potential also suffer from sounding a bit too cheerful in a way that doesn't combine well with the other influences. It just ends up sounding off.
this doesn’t offend me but i don’t think i’ll ever listen to it again
Wanted to like this. Every song was *almost* good. A few of the songs would make nice background noise, but nothing (other than "Quicksand") really stood out on this album. Prime example is the instrumental "On Sir Francis Drake" which just kind of exists without being either offensive or compelling.
Another of a seemingly endless series in pleasant but inessential mid/late sixties r and b/pop/country hybrids.
Kind of enjoyable but felt very average across the board. Possibly hurt by what I've consumed that has come out after this.
This felt like the most generic classic rock album I've ever heard. Largely forgettable, but not terrible. It kinda melted into the background and got overlooked.
It was OK. Not my taste though.
Meh. Too soggy for me.
An album that is very much of its time. Nothing too special on here, but it still provides a good listen. Just solid, folk-rock with heavy Byrds, Fleetwood Mac, Allman Brothers influences. Super bold to follow up a song called "Sunlight" with "Double Sunlight". Also, hilarious to have a record-flip song. After listening to this, I went through their debut album; it is much better.
Such a mixed bag of genres, as lots of mid/late 1960s albums were. Can't decide if they're a blues rock band, a twee jugband group, or pop music. Nothing here really sticks out. Feels like a contractually obligated album, not inspired at all.
A bit hit and miss. Some Beatles moments, some Bluegrass moments perhaps. Some weird jazzy easy listening moments.
These songs are stylistically all over the place. Some are okay, but as a whole it’s underwhelming. And I really dislike the soft jazz elements.
It was fine. Led with a few good ones but there was a lot of filler.
2.5
Just one big shoulder shrug
Heard it before?: No Enjoy it?: it was ok Favourite Track - didn’t have one
Como Folf country... La parte mas instrumental me gusto.
The very first thing that caught my attention was the album cover. For all you Snoop Dogg fans out there, does it look familiar? Maybe a stretch, but my first thought was Doggystyle album cover, the red brick wall. As for the album, I never heard the rock or psychedelic rock in there. A little country, but mainly your basic folk sound. And what, 3-4-5 instrumentals in there? Nothing really clicked the first times I listened a couple months ago and re-listening today didn't change me feelings. I guess the best I can say is I'm convinced I've heard Sunlight at some point in my life or at least it sounded very familiar. At different parts of the album, I thought the singer sounded like Janis Joplin. Not really a Joplin fan either. I guess when you add it all up, it was one big OK. Nothing stood out and nothing too terrible. I'm going to go with a 2.5. 2 for the music and the .5 for making me think Snoop somehow thought of this album cover when he released Doggystyle, but also thought no one would notice. Well, not until today. Haha.
2 Yeah, I don’t see what’s so special about this record. Supposedly these guys are an underappreciated late 60s folk group that are claimed to have bridged the gap between the genre and psychedelia, but after listening to this, I gotta say whatever amount of appreciation they have is probably enough. I don’t even hear the psychedelic aspect, instead it feels more like folk mixed with some jazz, but more in the sense each feels watered down rather than complementary. Didn’t find anything going on in the songs to be overly interesting, and after multiple times through, there’s nothing I could really point to as being worthy of a re-listen in the near future. I know there are many groups out there that never receive the acclaim they deserve due to reasons outside of their control, but I don’t think this is one of those times. Sorry Youngbloods. Clearly you have a fan somewhere if you made this list.
Started off really well, but never really lived up to the first track. It was okay in places, but I think I would have preferred if they had stuck to at least one musical style rather than chopping and changing between psych-rock, bluegrass, jazz, etc. Not amazing, but not abysmal, so 2 stars from me.
On first listen, I heard two outstanding tracks ('Darkness, Darkness' & 'Quicksand') but decidedly average 60's psychedelica for the rest. On second listen, more of the mediocre songs actually started to annoy me. Sir Francis Drake has an interesting start but mounts into a blues shuffle that really no-one needs. Many other songs feel like they're experimenting with sounds they don't fully understand. I heard someone say on this album: "They just sound like the best band from a tiny town," and that's indeed basically it. Nothing special except for the two songs mentioned at the start
I found passion in my dispassion towards this album.
Whether you’re a Starbucks hoe or a Dunks slut, we can all agree, like The Youngbloods track “Ride The Wind”, their refreshers are some of the most aptly named products on the market. I would’ve preferred more of that sound from this album, wasn’t a fan of the “sinshiney days” type tracks. Minus 2 points for the slide whistle. Also some haters out there will see even a 4 out of 5 and think “This @sshole hates this f*cking movie”, but I’m here to continue to prove that untrue. This was an enjoyable 2, but nothing more.
C Darkness, Darkness - 2 Smug - 3 On Sir Francis Drake - 3 Sunlight - 2 Double Sunlight - 3; Beautiful - 2 Turn It Over - 3; Don’t Let the Rain Get You Down - 3 Trillium - 2 Quicksand - 3 Black Mountain Breakdown - 3; Sham - 2 Ride the Wind - 4 Better than expected, but still pretty average for 60s. I can understand why someone would really like it though. Ride the Wind to finish it was simply Chef's Kiss.
Well the album cover suggested one genre and the music delivered an interesting mix of several. Perfectly cemented in time and place. It flowed along pleasantly with nothing outstanding.
Reminds me in places of The Doors. Oh, it's finished. Forgettable. 2 / 5 stars.
I am finding out I am not a fan of 60s American/folk/county music. I feel. No need to keep listening and forcing myself through was a chore. 2/10
Dit is zeker één van alle albums die ooit gemaakt zijn
I dunno, it’s alright but I think I’ll have forgotten it by tomorrow.
A few bright, inspired moments, but maudlin overall.
This was the equivalent of vanilla ice cream: good, but nothing that I'm going to crave or simply want on its own. I really liked the first half of "On Sir Francis Drake". The rest was highlighting some uninspiring keyboard playing. This was The Youngbloods transitioning into Pablo Cruise. Meh
Lazy 60's almost psychedelia album
Positive start but all a bit the samey for me
Some good bits but overall not really doing it for me
Very eclectic mix of songs. Lots of filler some good tracks, best of which is “Sham”. Overall 4/10
Helt ok, nått man har i bakgrunden typ.
Det är bra men jag blir lite uttråkad.
It’s fine
Didn't think much of this tbh. Left me apathetic
Not very memorable. Was fine
This one didn't give me any strong feelings good or bad. It's very interesting with a pleasant sound. I wouldn't list this as something you MUST hear. It's worth checking out once though, because I believe some would really enjoy it.
This doesn't even have Get Together on it, which shouldn't be a problem since it's usually soundtracking every movie set in the late 1960's. But somehow, a problem it is.
The album cover looks like decent early 90s computer render of a game scene. Is that mound in the front of the wall a pile of elephant turd? Released on the cusp of the ending of psychedelia and the beginning of country rock, is a perfect bridge for the two genres. Best: Darkness, Darkness Worst: On Sir Francis Drake
Meh. Nice melodies, just not my cup.
First time listening. Uninspiring. Nothing overly terrible, just very monochromatic wallpaper-like. Might be a classic to some but not to this millennial, no sir.
*deep breath*... yeah, no, I can't do it.
Boring. In fact its so inoffensive that I have to deduct one star for being so close to Ed Sheeran on the boring scale. Also the lyrics to Sunlight are gross. There are some parts where the electric piano sounds kind of cool I guess.
Folk rock jam band. Decent background music, but not particularly interesting
Not bad for some 60s east coast hippy shit though
Inoffensive, carefree jams with a few middling songs thrown in. Why did it make the cut? Was the list compiler in this band?
Easy listening, the jazz stuff is a bit mid
The beginning songs were super annoying, I thought I'd give it a 1/5 but then it got better, so overall it's a 2/5
Podría haber sido un lindo álbum de folk, pero después mete varias cosas psicodélicas que terminan por predominar y que no congenian bien con el espíritu de las canciones. Para folk psicodélico/progresivo, unos años después ya llegaba John Martyn.
zzzzzz esta todo bien igual pero zzzzz me gustan los hippies pero no estos hippies 4/10
Made me quite nervous.... Too much tingle-tangle for me
Meh
Ah, a bit more late 60s hippie folk country. Bland and uninspired, but not downright horrid. Kinda sums up the entire genre - you never really get the feeling they actually CARED. So I guess it's only fair that I don't either. 2/5.
All over the place. Prefer the rockin' psych stuff to the '70s soft rock.
While I wouldn't put it on the worst albums ever, it certainly was not memorable. No song stood out and the flow seemed disjointed. Unless-of-course the theme was to start with UK folk, then sail across the Atlantic with Francis Drake, to then end up in the Mid-Atlantic states dancing through a field of flowers only to end up having a cocktail with Mr. Roper at the Regal Beagle.
Not really a fan, not bad either.
A good solid mix of genres from folk and bluegrass to rock but felt too much like an extended jam session for me.
Sort of a nothing record for me.
Glad it’s over with. Don’t remember any of it
Maybe two songs that I could actually get through.
I liked one of the songs.
It was alright. It was pretty folksy and all, but it wasn't anything special in my opinion. Highlights: 1, 2, and 4.
Nah. Mountain too high for me.
Boeing! boring
It's fine
Bad
Nah
Paso.
Pop 60's crepuscular amb una dosis considerable de jazz. Res de l'altre món, però d'escolta fàcil i agradable
Kicks off with a killer track. Then simply goes all over the place. In places, jazzy and sleek; other place a complete hokey nightmare.
Interesting in places but nothing hugely innovative.
Liked "Darkness, Darkness." Could not finish Ride the Wind
Meh felt like songs could have been a lot better. Too much instrumental too.
No one had any thoughts on this on Friday, and I can understand why! Starts off quite cool, that opening track sounds like what you'd imagine CCR would if they were a bit less Southern in style, but quickly fades in interest from there. Unoffensive and uninteresting. Decent enough for background listening, but it's nothing more than that. 2/5, but a high 2.
"Darkness, Darkness" was an outstanding album opener. This song reminded me of indie folk of today, and The Youngbloods were doing it back in 1969. Really cool to hear! The rest of the album didn't really live up to that song, though; it was an okay mix of folk, psychedelia, and even jazz...specifically, the kind of jazz that you might hear in an elevator. Overall, the album was very middle of the road and not that exciting. But it wasn't bad, either.
There's no better word than annoying to describe the wasted potential of Elephant Mountain. Let's begin with a degree of balance. California-hippie-psych-country is a risky currency to spend, and prejudices the listener against certain excesses. The bad ones here include not one but two nonfunctional interludes and the tepid sprawl of On Sir Francis Drake. Those jazz elements are better-represented on the closing track, which forms a decent pair of bookends with the superb Darkness, Darkness. I think I might be hungry for a different Youngbloods record but can't imagine why this one would be highlighted.
definitely a late 60s album no real songs to latch on to
There really is no reason I can see for this album to be included in this list.
Meh
Best Song: Trillium. Sunday morning coffee music. Worst Song: Sunlight. The lead singer seems seconds away from crying. Overall: Musically I really want to like it, but the vocalist just sings so goddamn softly. The whole album I just wanted him to let loose, grit his voice up a bit. Show a little passion goddamnit.
It is not bad, but kinda forgot I was listening to it 2.5
Meh.
Cover art 1/5
It was fine but really don't see how it made it into this list.
Whole album schizophrenic did not enjoy it
Instrumental track "On Sir Francis Drake" was somewhat funky ride. Other than that,this album is not my jam. Cool band name tho !
There's also a band called Elephant Mountain. Must be something that I don't truly understand. On Sir Francis Drake is another thing I don't understand. Get on the groovy train would be a better song title. Although another band had a song called groovy train, which is much better than this.
It has some decent moments, particularly Darkness, Darkness, but the album feels like a discount Monkees... nothing very melodic, a bit weird 60's pop noodling. Interesting, but nothing really that needs a repeat listen.
Didn't love it.
Elephant Mountain is a folk/country rock album by The Youngbloods, released in 1969. This album is said to bridge the gap between psychedelia and country rock, because at the time the former was more popular but the latter was just starting to compete with it. The music was very chill, but didn't have any flashy parts that appealed to me. It's a good album to listen to if you're feeling nostalgic for the 60's rock music.
Standout track - Darkness, Darkness
2.5, 3? fine, but not stunning
Man, I was really hopeful looking at this album art. But this just never rose above lounge music to me. It's pleasant, but there's no grab to it. As soon as that lead singer started in on 'Darkness, Darkness' - I don't know what I was expecting, but probably just something a little less thin.
Curious how this one snuck into the top 1,001 as I reckon it's unremarkable, verging on dull. Opener 'Darkness, Darkness' is by far the best cut on this joint but even that is ruined by the 'trippy' production - see Robert Plant for a superior version. A couple of nice modal, folksy riffs can't make up for a whole bunch of blah.
Más o menos
Not that into it. This kind of earnest sameness blends into the background for me.