IN-A-GADDA-DA-VIDA

This album is some kind of a mandatory stop on a journey through rock history. But if you'd expect it to consist of 6 tracks with stunning riffs and proto-metal power, you will find yourself deeply disappointed.

Most of this album is fairly typical 60's heavy psych blues-rock, with some jaunty Doors-organs and eastern-tinged guitars. Most Anything You Want even has an organ melody that comes right from The Doors' Light My Fire. But the quality of the song material sure isn't as strong. My Mirage and Are You Happy are quite fun though.

In A Gadda Da Vida is the focal point here, a track that needs no introduction, a fat rollicking psychedelic blues groove with heavy commanding vocals. You couldn't get more metal then this in 1968. It's followed by a mind-expanding 10 minute jam session, complete with eerie organ solos, creepy guitar sounds and even a drum solo that will set you off searching for that last stash of pot that might make this listenable. In other words, essential.

This is a nice album. It has only 5 stunning minutes but the remainder sure warrants an overall 3 stars.