BY MIKEY MIGO
There was a time where I can look back and think about the times when I'd be amazed and enthralled by trippy music. It was always "lets smoke and listen to THIS CD" or "We gotta find acid so we can drop to THAT album". In retrospect it was pretty lame, but also pretty fun. The mid 00's was a rough period and so much like the sixties.(That's a joke, folks). Despite not being able to remember where I left my remote 90% of the time, I'd still not trade those times for anything.
Psychedelic rock evolved to what it was in the 60's and would continue to have it's place for years to come. Some of the best and most influential bands of all time were either intertwined with psychedelic music or at least dabbled in it at one point or another. It might not of been flat out "hippy music", but there was a definite taste of trippy in their work.
Today I'm going to look at a few essential psychedelic albums. It's not a definitive list and is completely subjective. There's going to be people who'll say "You forgot blank!" or "Fuck blank! They suck!", but it's my list and my opinions. You have yours and are free to post them as well. I'm always open to something new. Any who, here is my list…
"Are You Experienced" by Jimi Hendrix
With recreational drug use, it's all about the "experience". In this great album, you get many experiences during this 17 track piece of art. You start off with "Purple Haze" and then later on you get "Hey Joe", "The Wind Cries Mary", "Fire", Foxey Lady", and "Highway Chile". Sprinkled in there is some of the best "B-Sides" to ever appear on an album. Really, this could be a Hendrix "Best of", but then again all of his albums have that appeal.
"Disraeli Gears" by Cream
We all know "Clapton is God". This is the album that not only proved that fact, but also that Cream rocked. On this essential album, we have "Strange Brew", "Sunshine of Your Love", "Tales of Brave Ulysses" and the bizarre "SWLABR". The flow of the notes make this album and the music they're playing seem simple and easy, but if you dare to pick up a guitar to emulate this it'll never be as crisp and real as what we have here on this 1967 release.
"Grateful Dead" by Grateful Dead
Speaking of 1967. This 67 debut release is by one of the most known psychedelic rock bands. They're often and always spoken of their live show, but this classic album is something you can't deny. You get to hear the beginning of what was to come with tracks like "The Golden Road", "Cold Rain and Snow", and "Morning Dew". I'm not even a big fan of the band despite having the same B-Day as the late great Garcia, but respect is given where it's due.
"The Doors" by The Doors
This was rough for me. I'm a huge Doors fan and would love to list all of their albums. Instead I'm going to go with their debut album. Also released in 1967, this all time great starts with "Break on Though", which is exactly what they did. From there you get tracks like "Alabama Song", "Light My Fire", "Back Door Man", and wraps up with "The End". Unless you're really sheltered and unloved by the world, you'll already know those songs. It's hard to believe that they all come from the same sessions. When talking of the genre of "psychedelic rock" you'll always have to bring up Morrison and his Doors.
"Headquarters" by Monkees
Whatever. I like the Monkees. Say what you will, but I enjoy their music more than The Beatles. I respect the Beatles and know their place in history is way bigger than the Monkees, but I like what I like. After the bubble gum factory type of music they "made" for the television show and audience, they got all drugged out and started experimenting with their own music. This album is a bit stripped down compared to the layers involved with other tracks from this genre, but it's still a very good album. My favorite Monkee's track of all time "All of Your Toys" is on the album and is nothing like their older work. It's more bluesy and experimental. I bought this album as a kid and listened to it at the end of my drug years. Talk about different experiences and views.
"Revolver" by The Beatles
This is a large part why I do respect and can appreciate the offerings of arguably the biggest band of all time. A lot of people would put "St. Peppers" or the white album or just about any other Beatles album above this one, but this is my pick. I appreciate the experimental side of this album, the raw and abrasive layering, and the melodramatic lyrics more than any other Beatles album. It's not too poppy like the early stuff and not too "Look at us! We're being weird!" like their first "trippy" works. It's just a great starting point for many other things to come. "Eleanor Rigby", "Yellow Submarine", and my favorite "Tomorrow Never Knows" makes this their best, in my honest opinion.
"Darkside of the Moon" by Pink Floyd
I don't know why, but in some circles Pink Floyd isn't considered psychedelic rock. I'm thinking the people in those circles have never listened to "Darkside of the Moon". I wanted to put "The Wall" in this spot, but Darkside is much trippier in my opinion. The whole Wizard of Oz connection is true and adds a whole new dimension of what one can experience while listening to this album. To me, this one is obvious and a must.
Other albums you could check out would be "Pet Sounds" by The Beach Boys, throw in The Zombies, Dylan, Zappa, Donovan, Jefferson Airplane, and The Byrds for safe measure. There's plenty more. My list is only the ones I appreciate the most.
What are your favorite psychedelic rock bands?
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