The follow-up to their electrifying self-titled debut is the Doors' most psychedelically infused effort. Frontman Jim Morrison's chaotic poetry on 'Horse Latitudes' led into a run of pretty spun-out stuff, culminating in another 11-minute opus with 'When the Music's Over'. The mildly hallucinogenic 'People Are Strange' eventually became an FM staple.
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Younger Than Yesterday The Byrds 1967 [Columbia]
While not quite as psychedelically in-your-face as their previous album Younger Than Yesterday still has plenty to offer fans of the genre. David Crosby's compositions are certainly the most out-there, with Chris Hillman generally going country. The obligatory Dylan cover 'My Back Pages' sounds more like the Byrds of old.
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Part One The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band 1967 [Reprise]
Rich kid Bob Markley hit LA in 1960, by 1967 finally finding a way to become a star of sorts. Looking at the band's name one would be entitled to expect something a bit avant-gardean, but in reality this is a pretty straightforward psychedelic album with some nice tight tunes and a fair degree of pop sensibility. Holding up better than expected.
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Da Capo Love 1967 [Elektra]
A multi-racial outfit from LA, Love was led by the emotionally erratic Arthur Lee. Blending folk, psych, classical and jazz into a delightfully pleasing arty concoction - the first side here is on a par with their classic Forever Changes follow-up. The 19-minute 'Revelation' isn't as terrible as some say, but these guys could do much better.
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Clear Light Clear Light 1967 [Elektra]
As evidenced by their later careers, most of this LA band's members had a fair bit of talent. Here they sound like a stablemate Doors wannabe, scoring a hit with Mr Blue and minor play with a couple of other tracks. Guitarist Bob Seal in particular offers up a couple of topnotch compositions… and got sacked from the band for his efforts.
Buckley's second LP built on the psychedelic trimmings of his debut under the obvious influence of Sgt. Pepper. It peaked at #171 on the charts and earned him enough critical plaudits to score a guest spot The Monkees TV show. Buckley wrote or co-wrote all the songs, with Jerry Yester's production making good use of his outstanding voice.
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A Beacon From Mars Kaleidoscope (US) 1968 [Epic]
Not to be confused with the UK psych outfit of the same name, Kaleidoscope hailed from LA and epitomised the non-Frisco West Coast sound. With superb musicianship and a stylistically diverse set of songs, psych fans will no doubt be drawn to the two extended tracks - the raga-influenced 'Taxim' and the trippin' title track.
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In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida Iron Butterfly 1968 [Atco]
Legend has it that this album's droning 17-minute title track got its name because the band was so stoned when they recorded it that they couldn't articulate 'In the Garden of Eden'. One of the biggest heavy acid rock hits ever, the rest of the album is surprisingly straightforward psychedelia that approaches lightweight pop in places.
