1001+ Albums: 60s Block 10

1001+ Albums:

60s Block 10

Pet Sounds

   Artist: The Beach Boys

   Year: 1966

       The first album in a while I've listened to multiple times from this list. Each time I come to realize more its perfection. This is such a jump in musical and emotional depth since their last album on the 1001. That feeling of innocence is measured more alongside a feeling of longing hopefulness and a new found maturity. 

   Rating: A

The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators

   Artist: The 13th Floor Elevators

   Year: 1966

       The weird, warbling effect the electric jug makes might make this the most psychedelic psychedelic music I've heard. Rock n roll driven by howling hippies, psychedelic sounds, and lots of warbling. Supposedly one of the earliest instances of psychedelic music recorded, and a groundbreaking album for such genre. The music itself is pretty good too.

   Rating: B-

Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton

   Artist: John Myall's Blues Breakers

   Year: 1966

       If by blues breaking you mean a shake up of the genre with added influences, but not necessarily a genre breaking thing. Some good bluesy songs, pretty good overall, nothing that special however.

   Rating: C+

Wild is the Wind

   Artist: Nina Simone

   Year: 1966

       Soul and blues album sung by Nina Simone. Okay, sort of just not my thing. A collection of love songs with some topical racial stuff thrown in. As with lots of genres I'm initially less familiar with, it all tends to blend together a little. Also I'm not a huge fan of this type of singing. 

   Rating: C-

The Mamas and the Papas

   Artist: The Mamas and the Papas

   Year: 1966

       Better than the first one... I think. Still not my cup of tea, even if that tea is the same folky brand I tend to enjoy. I'm starting to find I like folk rock less than I do the traditional acoustic stuff, and that I even like that stuff less than I thought I did. Maybe I'm mostly just a Dylan fan. Nevertheless, if you liked If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears, you are probably gonna like this offering just as much. More of the same.

   Rating: C

Freak Out!

   Artist: The Mothers of Invention

   Year: 1966

       The strangest album so far, possibly the strangest I've ever heard. Lyrics that are intelligible, singing that is understandable, but still makes no sense. Different styles thrown into a blender with a bit of the ole insanity and this is the shake it makes. Frank Zappa is hilarious. The whole thing is kind of hilarious. The first straight up comedy album in the 1001. 

   Rating: C