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Love albums |
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| Love is never a band that you will hear of on the radio, or even in a conversation among most people about "60's bands". In this author's opinion though, they were the best 60's band to come out of America. They were underground for their time simply because of under exposure, one thing that in the 21st century, is often more easily gained. Arthur Lee was always the main force behind the band, and is one of the finest pop songwriters ever to grace rock n' roll, with his mix of odd, demented sounding chords with haunting but true lyrics. Along with him, Bryan Maclean brought a sense of calm and regularity to the band with his Irish singing voice and beautiful accompining harmonies. The players, Stuart, Forssi, and Echols, of course made Lee's vision possible. Lee has had a million incarnations of the band since the original line up disbanded in 1967 (after Forever Changes), and even though those first three albums are the best the band ever did, Lee's influence changed rock 'n roll forever. Band Members : Arthur Lee - Guitar, Vocals (classic line up) Bryan Maclean - Guitar, Vocals Michael Stuart - Drums Ken Forssi - Bass John Echols - Guitar Best Album: Forever Changes Biggest Influences: Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan 1966 Love - 8/8 You know from the first notes of "My Little Red Book" that this is no normal sixties record. The demented tone mixed with great melody defines a totally unique band, led by the totally unique Arthur Lee. Though that first song is a cover, like the later "Hey Joe" (my personal favorite version of it, yes better than Jimi Hendrix's), this band has its own style and take on it. Psychedelic music that is very melodic, but also very demented. Another striking thing about this album is that except for the instrumental in the middle "Emotions", there is not a bad song on here, whether they are demented takes on life like "Mushroom Clouds" and "A Message to Pretty", or simply pop gems like "Can't Explain", "You I'll be Following", or the closer "And More", there is not one tune that is boring. The music is kept fresh by being this combination of Lee's lyrical bursts ('Chinese time now!' on "Gazing" or the suicidal "Singed D.C."), on instrumental flourishes (the bass parts on "My Flash on You" and "You I'll be Following"), and Bryan McLean's contributions(great ballad "Softly to Me" and co-writing on "And More" and "Mushroom Clouds"). The album gets a lot of criticisms because people say it sounds like The Byrds ("Mushroom Clouds") or The Who ("My Flash on You"), which is true, but it does not rip off any of their songs specifically and for 1966, it is more consistent then anything those two bands had done yet. No one ever mentions how everybody has been influenced by Love, from The Moody Blues ripping off "Singed D.C." for their "Nights in White Satin", or everyone from The Doors, Rolling Stones, and yes the later Byrds being influenced by this great band. I would say this sounds like the band came from the sixties, but that is not a negative thing last time I checked. My point is forget what they look like or sound like and just enjoy the great songs. This is the band's debut, and it is a fabulous debut, there are not many that could match it. If you enjoy laid back pop music, this is great all the way through, and never gets old to me. - Trevor e.y. 1.my little red book- 4 2.can't explain- 4 3.a messege to pretty- 4 4.my flash on you- 3 5.softly to me- 4 6.no matter what you do- 3 7.emotions- 2 8.you i'll be following- 4 9.gazing- 4 10.hey joe- 4 11.singed d.c.- 4 12.colored balls falling- 3 13.mushroom clouds- 4 14.and more- 4 1967 Da Capo - 8/8 Love's second album expands on their sound by making it more complex. Still, there is that mix of hard rockers and sweet melodies that there has always been. What is...odd... about this record, is that there is a 19 minute song at the end. That's as long as the first six songs put together! This was the first album to ever have one song devoted to one side, not that I care about those kind of things, but that is interesting to know. Love were first in a lot of ways, but if they didn't have great songs none of that would matter. The first six songs (except for the not-as-good "Orange Skies") are complex, bewildering and insightful, the best of which is "Seven and Seven is", which some consider the first punk song. Well, it sounds that way, and it is the fastest song i have heard as of January 1967, but to label it as just a punk song overlooks the awesome ending, and the song would not be as good with out that slow part. Rating this album really is all what you think of the final song. Not just "it is an important idea?", but is the song GOOD and ENTERTAINING for all of those minutes. Well, it is not the best song ever or anything, but I enjoy listening to the whole thing. Simple lyrics yes, but that whole spacey weirdness and ever changing instruments while still a blues song intrigues me. That 11:09 mark scream is totally great, I don't care what anyone says. Da Capo is the bands most experimental release, where they throw everything together in a lovely mess. - Trevor e.y. 1.stephanie knows who- 4 2.orange skies- 3 3.que vida- 4 4.seven and seven is- 4* 5.the castle- 4 6.she comes in colors- 4 7.revalation- 3 1967 Forever Changes - 9/8 Good music is very hard to describe, which is the case with Love’s third album Forever Changes. One of the greatest albums ever made, this music is live altering in every way. The first two albums by Love are works in their own right, but this is pure perfection. EVERY song is a masterpiece of melody. The way Arthur Lee writes songs is something else, the music here is very complicated, but at the same time, ever so satisfying. This is an album one could listen to for days, it is really that good. Have you heard better ballads then "Andmoreagain", "Old Man", "The Good Humor Man he Sees Everything Like This", and "Alone Again or"? Better pop songs than "The Daily Planet" and "Maybe the People would be the Times or between Clark and Hillsdale"? More complicated songs than "The Red Telephone" and "You Set the Scene"? A better closer than "You Set the Scene" EVER?!?!?!? You get it. Well, i haven't. "Alone Again or" is a solemn hymn of an opener, very soul searching in its lyrics but hopeful at the same time: "I heard a funny thing, some body said to me/said I could be in love with almost anyone/I think people are the greatest fun." It also has this Spanish tinge to the guitar that is consistent with the album. "A House is not a Hotel" is spooky and scary, but still basically acoustic. Lee invites you into his world: "In my house i've got no shackles; you can come and look if you wanna". The song is pretty hard rocking, especially for this album, and it ends with a total guitar freak out after a drum break/guitar solo. Amazing. "Andmoregain" is a very uplifting ballad by McLean, and probably one of the most gorgeous songs you will ever hear. The Irish voice slowly sings: "And when you've given all you had, and everything still turns out bad, and all your secrets are your own/when you feel your heart beating, rumbumbum bum." A contrast that really works after the first two songs. "The Daliy Planet" is a very round and round sixties song, and probably my favorite pop song of all time. It is complicated though, like all of Arthur Lee's work, and the bridge digresses almost into insane lyric territory: "I can see you with no face/eyes i need you/ feel my heart/face". It all ends with the verse music and awesome drumming. "Old man" is the final McLean song, and I don't know how he wrote this; it is truly a flowing song, and the folksiest thing on here. I love it though: "I know the old man would laugh, he spoke of love's sweeter days/and in his eloquent way, I think he was speaking of you." From here on out, it is Lee's album. "The Red Telphone" is a trip in song structure, and insanity. This is the most apocalyptic song: "Sitting on the hillside watching all the people die." A commentary on war, or maybe just the end of the world, whatever it is it is great. "Maybe the People would be the Times or between Clark and Hillsdale" is another pop gem, and still one of the best ever, again with the horn section, and its synchronized Lee badabada's and trumpet notes, truly insane: "when I leave now, don't you weep for me/I'll be back just save a seat for me." Fun, but also life changing. "Live and Let Live" starts again with the demented Spanish flavor, but to a happier/louder effect. "The Good Humor Man he Sees Everything like This" is probably my least favorite but I still love it, with its schizophrenic verses: "humming birds hum/why do they hum/ little girls wearing/pigtails in the morning/ in the moooring/ladada dadadada!". "Bummer in the Summer" is a true folk/hard rock rap song, it is a joy to hear, and the quickest song on here. Finally, "You Set the Scene" is three songs in one, and you really have to hear it to believe it: "This is the only thing that I am sure of/ and that's all that lives is gonna die/ and they'll always be some people here to wonder why/and for every happy hello there will be goodbye." Being that not many people had heard of this band back in 1967 is another mysterious thing surrounding this album, but mystery is what helps make music great. In two years, Love has produced 3 absolute masterworks, more than any band has ever done that quickly, and Forever Changes in the best. They were never popular and only known in the music community. Though people say this album is influenced by Pet Sounds, it is totally on a separate plane of existence. There is not one bad song on here, the lyrics and music come together in astonishing ways. Perfection, and singer/songwriter Arthur Lee thought it would be his final gift to the world, but luckily it wasn’t. - Trevor e.y. 1.alone again or- 4 2.a house is not a hotel- 4 3.andmoregain- 4 4.the daliy planet- 4* 5.old man- 4 6.the red telphone- 4 7.maybe the people would be the times or between clark and hillsdale- 4 8.live and let live- 4 9.the good humor man he sees everything like this- 4 10.bumer in the summer- 4 11.you set the scene- 4* 1969 Four Sail - 7/8 Love's fourth album cannot compare to the ones that came before. The thing is, it shouldn't have to, and does not aspire to. Four Sail is instead, Arthur Lee with a new band and some new ideas (though the band is still has the same name). Yes, his ideas are masterful pop songs: "Singing Cowboy " is a tribute to Gene Autry and the child-like heroes; "Robert Montgomery" is a emotional palace of falsetto and my personal fave; "Always See Your Face" is the last Love classic, with a trombone to add flavor. In these ways, Love sounded the same as the first three albums, with great melodic songs that rivaled any other artists of the day. Some things did change on Four Sail though. "August" is a great opener, but in many ways more traditional sounding than anything the original band attempted, with new guitarist Jay Donnellan making that guitar soloing so odd.....but normal at the same time. "I'm With You" and "Dream" are neat little ditties also, but not in the league of say "Stephinie Knows Who" or "A Message to Pretty" of Love's earlier works. The only falters would be "Nothing" and "Talking in my Sleep", which ultimately go nowhere as songs. Most of the change in sound works though, and this album is definitely as good as most records recorded in 1969. Four Sail proves Arthur Lee was always the force behind Love, and that whatever Lee may do in the future, the world is a better place for his band being in it. - Trevor e.y. 1.august- 3 2.your freind and mine- 4 3.i'm with you- 4 4.good times- 3 5.singing cowboy- 4 6.dream- 4 7.robert montgomery- 4* 8.nothing- 2 9.talking in my sleep- 2 10.always see your face- 4 |
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