IN-A-GADDA-DA-VIDA

1. "Most Anything You Want" (3:44) Doug Ingle definitely possessed some of that word-mashing gene that The Kingsmen's "Louie, Louie" singer Jack Ely had. Stil, it is a nice, powerful, even iconic baritone voice. Ray Manzarek riffs on the organ can't hide from catching my notice. (8.75/10)

2. "Flowers And Beads" (3:09) a little too standard/Sunshine Pop for this band (and that iconic voice). Where are the guitars?! (8.5/10)

3. "My Mirage" (4:55) opens with more Ray Manzarek-like organ play before drums, bass, and guitars crash in. Around 0:35 everybody settles into a rock motif with staccato rhythm guitar strums, arpeggiated organ chords and solid rock electric bass and drums over which Doug sings rather plaintively. This is definitely more of the type of hard-drivin' music this band should be doing--though when the guitar starts picking its chords into arpeggios it starts sounding more like The Youngbloods. (8.75/10)

4. "Termination" (2:53) using a heavier sound palette and impressively sophisticated instrumental play that previews bands like Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, there is a Moody Blues-like team approach (and sound) to the vocals. Great rock song! (9/10)

5. "Are You Happy?" (4:29) the final song of Side One, the band here roams fully in the heavier rock realms with some CREAM, URIAH HEEP, HENDRIX, and DOORS-feeling music. Great theatric performances from Doug on vocals, Erik Brann on lead guitar, and Lee Dorman on electric bass. Another great rock tune that feels like a classic. (9/10)

6. "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" (17:05) a song I'd always liked--even the long drum solo--but one that still continues to satisfy my pleasure centers despite my perspective as a prog reviewer. A powerful, hypnotic, high-quality recording. I espeically love the extended organ play as the band comes out of Ron Bushy's drum solo: it's almost as if Johann Sebastian Bach were at play (literally: at play). That is, without a doubt, my favorite part--though I also really like the bass-led drum-and-guitar frenzy from 13:13 to the 15-minute mark. (32.5/35)

Total Time: 36:35

A-/five stars; an excellent addition to any prog lover's music collection--especially if you like to study and appreciate the history and evolution of early prog. This is a rather iconic album--even accounting for its album artwork.

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