#97. The Kinks | Something Else by The Kinks (1967)

Yeah, so I haven't updated this blog since August '12. So much has changed in the world since then. You would think that listening to these 1001 Albums (a book that only has one edition) would be so much easier to do than watching the 1001 (or more) Movies (a book that has about 10 different editions). Of course, I'm probably never going to finish either.

Anyway...I'm reviving this by listening to Something Else by The Kinks, literally. It's a pretty good late '60s Brit pop album. It features two hit singles, "Waterloo Sunset" and "Death of a Clown," probably the best title of a song ever.

My only problem with this album is that, at times, it sounds like they are really trying hard to sound like The Beatles...which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Lots of bands in the '60s were trying to sound like The Beatles. The Kinks probably came the closest.

Released in the fall of 1967, Something Else didn't do so well in the UK or the US. Apparently, it was competing with budget-priced compilation albums of early Kinks hits, and the two singles were released before the album appeared. 

In addition to appearing on this list, it also ranks as #288 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Track Listing (click on the links to hear my favorites):
1. David Watts
2. Death of a Clown
3. Two Sisters
4. No Return
5. Harry Rag
6. Tin Soldier Man
7. Situation Vacant
8. Love Me Til the Sun Shines
9. Lazy Old Sun
10. Afternoon Tea
11. Funny Face
12. End of the Season
13. Waterloo Sunset

#96. Jefferson Airplane | Surrealistic Pillow (1967)

Grade: ★ ★ ★ 

I first have to acknowledge that I haven't posted since January. Do you know how much has happened to me since January? I've run a full marathon, a half marathon, signed up for a triathlon and I rode my bike from San Francisco to Los Angeles. So, I've been a little busy. And I know I've promised this before, so you have no reason to believe me, but I swear I'm going to be better. And I WILL get through this list! I'm almost in triple digits!

So, yesterday I listened to Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane, and I must admit, I kinda liked it. I've never really known much about them, except that they eventually became Jefferson Starship (and then Starship) and gave us "We Built This City" and that song from Mannequin.

This album is nothing like either of those songs. You're probably all familiar with "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit," unless you're musically illiterate like some people I know. ;-) Anyway, there were several other really groovy, psychedelic 60s tunes that I very much enjoyed. I felt a little like Johnny Bravo ("Hey there, groovy chick. You're really happening in a far out way!").
Some non-released highlights for me were the instrumental "Embryonic Journey" and the opening track "She Has Funny Cars."

If you know your Airplane history, then you know that this was the first album by the band with vocalist Grace Slick and drummer Spencer Dryden. The album peaked at number three and the two aforementioned singles hit #5 and #8 respectively. It was also the album that heralded the psychedelic sound of San Francisco that would define the City by the Bay for the remainder of the decade.

I would highly recommend this album, especially if you're into this sorta thing. I went through a huge 60s phase in high school, and I'm sure my 16 year-old self would have dug this.

Track Listing (my favorites are bolded):
1. She Has Funny Cars
2. Somebody to Love
3. My Best Friend
4. Today
5. Comin' Back to Me
6. 3/5 of a Mile in 10 Seconds
7. D.C.B.A.-25
8. How Do You Feel
9. Embryonic Journey
10. White Rabbit
11. Plastic Fantastic Lover

#95. The Young Rascals | Groovin' (1967)

Grade: ★ ★ ★

This was the third album by The Young Rascals, and proved to be their strongest by far thanks in part to the number 1 title-track.  Did I like it?  Sure, it was OK.  Knowing that they supported The Beatles at Shea Stadium in '65 and they were the first rock band signed by Atlantic Records helped me understand exactly why this album is on my list. 

★ "A Girl Like You":  This is one of my favorite tracks on the album.  Opening with an almost classical piano intro, it quickly shifts into a beautiful swing arrangement before exploding into an almost big-band feel on the chorus.  One of four singles released from the album, it reached number 10 on the U.S. Billboard Charts. 

★ "Find Somebody":  This song marked a return to the group's garage band sound with a psychedelic twist.  Fuzztone guitars and some catchy lyrics make this an often overlooked gem. 

"I'm So Happy Now":  An OK pop ballad, but in the end, kind of forgettable.

"Sueño":  Some might say that the Latino-inspired "Sueño" was an unexpected surprise, but I found it to be just a little disjointed when compared to the rest of the album.

★ "How Can I Be Sure":  Aside from the title track, this is probably the band's most recognizable tune.  Not many pop songs of the day featured accordions, but this one did, and put it to good use.  It reached number 4 on the U.S. Billboard Charts and Dusty Springfield had a hit with it the following year.

★ "Groovin'":  I was never a big fan of this song, but I found a new appreciation for it when put in context with the rest of the album.  It's a great song to listen to on a lazy Sunday afternoon.  It was the band's first (and only) number 1 single in the U.S. and their only top 10 single in the U.K.

"If You Know: The B-side to the 1966 single "Lonely Too Long," which is a great song, makes a belated appearance on this album.  This is not a great song.

★ "I Don't Love You Anymore":  Yes, it's a horrible name for a song, but in my opinion, it's just as good as "How Can I Be Sure." 

"You Better Run"  This would have been an OK song until they whipped out the slide whistle towards the end. 

★ "A Place In The Sun":  The band turned in one superb, if not subdued, cover of this Stevie Wonder Motown hit.

"It's Love":  I absolutely hated this song.  I'm not really sure why, but it just drove me absolutely crazy.  Not a great way to end the album that I may have given 4 stars otherwise.  Sorry, Little Rascals...er, YOUNG Rascals.