Psychlub 13: "Forever Changes" - Love

Pet_Sounds · 03-01-2015, 02:43 PM

Selected by Psy-Fi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1L11Y0I5E0

Discussion ends on March 11th.

Pet_Sounds · 03-01-2015, 02:46 PM

What were your impressions of this album after the first five minutes?

Did those first impressions change as you listened to the album?

Were the opening 2-3 tracks or the closing 2-3 tracks stronger?

Did you find you enjoyed this album more or less on repeated listens?

What was your favourite track?

What was your least favourite track?

What did you think of the variety of tracks presented?

How would you describe the overall mood?

Would you listen to it again for purposes other than this club?

How well do you know this band/artist?

If you're familiar with this band/artist, how does this album compare to their other work?

How would you improve this album?

Would you recommend this album to a friend?

Will you be exploring this band/artists' other material?

What did you think of the vocals?

What did you think of the instrumentation?

What did you think of the production?

Any other thoughts to share?

Rate the album out of ten. No decimals!

Josef K · 03-01-2015, 03:35 PM

I've heard this lots of times before, so it's hard to answer some of the questions.

What were your impressions of this album after the first five minutes?
I think I liked it - "Alone Again Or" is obviously really great.

Did those first impressions change as you listened to the album?
I don't think so.

Were the opening 2-3 tracks or the closing 2-3 tracks stronger?
Probably opening, although while the first two songs are really good, the third is less so.

Did you find you enjoyed this album more or less on repeated listens?
More - I started to appreciate more than just the first two songs.

What was your favourite track?
Yeah, still probably "Alone Again Or".

What was your least favourite track?
I never really liked "Andmoreagain".

What did you think of the variety of tracks presented?
Eh, not that varied. Which is fine.

How would you describe the overall mood?
Somewhere between freaked-out and laid-back.

Would you listen to it again for purposes other than this club?
I have, many times.

How well do you know this band/artist?
Not that well. I've heard the album before this a couple times, but nothing else.

If you're familiar with this band/artist, how does this album compare to their other work?
I normally try to be contrarian, but it's their best.

How would you improve this album?
Not sure.

Would you recommend this album to a friend?
I would. Not because I love it, but because I think it's one of the few most essential '60s psych albums.

Will you be exploring this band/artists' other material?
If so, not because of this club.

What did you think of the vocals?
Pretty good.

What did you think of the instrumentation?
Well-arranged for the most part, and always at least competently played.

What did you think of the production?
Pretty good.

Rate the album out of ten. No decimals!
7

Guybrush · 03-01-2015, 04:04 PM

Forever Changes is one of my favorite albums from the 60s. I love it. The songs are catchy, very psychedelic 60s and often rather funny. I'm not sure how much of the humour is intentional, but I guess some of it must be.

My favorite song is The Red Telephone. I never tire of it

Pet_Sounds · 03-07-2015, 03:13 PM

What were your impressions of this album after the first five minutes?

Did those first impressions change as you listened to the album?

I heard it for the first time a few months ago and pretty much loved it. Don't remember my exact reaction, but the first song's my favourite.

Were the opening 2-3 tracks or the closing 2-3 tracks stronger?

Closers are more consistent.

Did you find you enjoyed this album more or less on repeated listens?

Love it more every time I hear it.

What was your favourite track?

"Alone Again Or".

What was your least favourite track?

None really stand out as bad, but "Live and Let Live" didn't do as much for me as the others.

What did you think of the variety of tracks presented?

There's not a lot, but the music's good enough that there really doesn't need to be.

How would you describe the overall mood?

Ranges from relaxed and folky to wild and weird.

Would you listen to it again for purposes other than this club?

Already have.

How well do you know this band/artist?

I've heard their entire discography.

If you're familiar with this band/artist, how does this album compare to their other work?

This is their best.

How would you improve this album?

I wouldn't.

Would you recommend this album to a friend?

I actually have. They didn't like it.

Will you be exploring this band/artists' other material?

Already have.

What did you think of the vocals?

Normal '60s psych, nothing unusual.

What did you think of the instrumentation?

Apparently, the band began recording with members of The Wrecking Crew. I'm not sure how much of the album they played on, but it's certainly up to their standards. Especially love the flute.

What did you think of the production?

It was good--not over or under done, like some albums from that era.

Any other thoughts to share?

I've heard this a dozen times or more, but it's still nice to come back to.

Rate the album out of ten. No decimals!

9/10

sidewinder · 03-09-2015, 07:26 PM

What were your impressions of this album after the first five minutes?
I don't recall when I first heard it, but liking it from the start, knowing I had found something special.

Did those first impressions change as you listened to the album?
Not as far as I can recall.

Were the opening 2-3 tracks or the closing 2-3 tracks stronger?
I haven't played it recently but just from looking at the track titles, I think I might prefer the closing tracks.

Did you find you enjoyed this album more or less on repeated listens?
Initially more, than it plateaued.

What was your favourite track?
Favorites from memory are Andmoreagain, The Red Telephone, Maybe the People Would Be the Times or Between Clark and Hilldale, and The Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This.

What was your least favourite track?
There isn't a bad song on the album.

What did you think of the variety of tracks presented?
I find the album very varied and entertaining.

How would you describe the overall mood?
Psychedelic, upbeat, vibrant, raw, and accessible.

Would you listen to it again for purposes other than this club?
I already loved it before the club.

How well do you know this band/artist?
Pretty well, I've got their 4 classic albums.

If you're familiar with this band/artist, how does this album compare to their other work?
I find this album far more developed and consistent than their other albums. It is more realized without being overproduced, it still has a raw edge.

How would you improve this album?
I don't think I could.

Would you recommend this album to a friend?
Definitely.

Will you be exploring this band/artists' other material?
I already have.

What did you think of the vocals?
The vocals are passionate.

What did you think of the instrumentation?
Well played, gents.

What did you think of the production?
Raw, full of life, maybe a bit muddy at times.

Any other thoughts to share?
A classic of the California psych scene of the late 60s.

Rate the album out of ten. No decimals![/QUOTE]
9/10

gypsy rider · 05-28-2017, 07:58 AM

Alone Again Or is magic beyond any genre.

Lisnaholic · 04-17-2018, 06:02 AM

( http://www.musicbanter.com/games-lis...litz-game.html )

Well, this is a sad reminder that it wasn't so long ago that quality posters like Pet_Sounds, sidewinder and tore were still active on MB - and that there was enough enthusiasm for music that Pet_Sounds' club ran for successfully for months. ( For some reason, I didn't follow his club at the time, but now I really wish I had

)

I'm gonna wipe away the tears and come back later to comment on this album, ok?

OccultHawk · 04-17-2018, 06:18 AM

Lisnaholic · 04-18-2018, 07:19 AM

My answers to the set questions would be about the same as sidewinder's. This is an exceptional album that I've loved and played for years, but for some reason I haven't checked out their other albums. If sidewinder says there are actually 4 classic albums, I hope I'm in for some pleasant surprises.

Anyone notice how the track titles of Forever Changes don't lead you to automatically remember the track itself? That's why I'm struggling to find my fave track, so I'm posting the ones other people have mentioned:-

1. Alone again or: great song, but hardly the standout track on this álbum full of great songs
2. The Red Telephone: has some of the best lines:

Quote:

"I believe in magic. Why? Because it is so quick"
"Sometimes my life is so eerie..."
"Sometimes I deal in numbers, and if you want to count me, count me out"

3. Maybe the People would...: A Lee tries something clever with the words that doesn't quite work imo, but this track has a wonderful trumpet interlude.
4. Andmoreagain: gotta love that simple "pum-pum pum pum" bit!

.....
.....

OK, thanks for bearing with me while I track down my absolute favourite track from this album, The Good Humor Man:-

This is a fabulous piece of music, cheerful without being cheesy, right up to the rather experimental finish that always seems to come in too soon...

A few rock bands experimented with trumpets and strings, but usually these parts were just added in on top. What's unusual about Forever Changes is that A Lee used them to carry an essential part of the song, and The Good Humor Man is a good example of that.

(BTW, I put this album in a file along with a collection of Moody Blues Greatest Hits, and when I played them on shuffle, I was really surprised at how well the one band blended into the other.)

03-01-2015, 02:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pet_Sounds Remember the underscore Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The other side Posts: 2,488	Psychlub 13: "Forever Changes" - Love Selected by Psy-Fi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1L11Y0I5E0 Discussion ends on March 11th. __________________ Everybody's dying just to get the disease

03-01-2015, 02:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pet_Sounds Remember the underscore Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The other side Posts: 2,488	What were your impressions of this album after the first five minutes? Did those first impressions change as you listened to the album? Were the opening 2-3 tracks or the closing 2-3 tracks stronger? Did you find you enjoyed this album more or less on repeated listens? What was your favourite track? What was your least favourite track? What did you think of the variety of tracks presented? How would you describe the overall mood? Would you listen to it again for purposes other than this club? How well do you know this band/artist? If you're familiar with this band/artist, how does this album compare to their other work? How would you improve this album? Would you recommend this album to a friend? Will you be exploring this band/artists' other material? What did you think of the vocals? What did you think of the instrumentation? What did you think of the production? Any other thoughts to share? Rate the album out of ten. No decimals! __________________ Everybody's dying just to get the disease

03-01-2015, 03:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
Josef K A Jew on a motorbike! Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 800	I've heard this lots of times before, so it's hard to answer some of the questions. What were your impressions of this album after the first five minutes? I think I liked it - "Alone Again Or" is obviously really great. Did those first impressions change as you listened to the album? I don't think so. Were the opening 2-3 tracks or the closing 2-3 tracks stronger? Probably opening, although while the first two songs are really good, the third is less so. Did you find you enjoyed this album more or less on repeated listens? More - I started to appreciate more than just the first two songs. What was your favourite track? Yeah, still probably "Alone Again Or". What was your least favourite track? I never really liked "Andmoreagain". What did you think of the variety of tracks presented? Eh, not that varied. Which is fine. How would you describe the overall mood? Somewhere between freaked-out and laid-back. Would you listen to it again for purposes other than this club? I have, many times. How well do you know this band/artist? Not that well. I've heard the album before this a couple times, but nothing else. If you're familiar with this band/artist, how does this album compare to their other work? I normally try to be contrarian, but it's their best. How would you improve this album? Not sure. Would you recommend this album to a friend? I would. Not because I love it, but because I think it's one of the few most essential '60s psych albums. Will you be exploring this band/artists' other material? If so, not because of this club. What did you think of the vocals? Pretty good. What did you think of the instrumentation? Well-arranged for the most part, and always at least competently played. What did you think of the production? Pretty good. Rate the album out of ten. No decimals! 7 Last edited by Josef K; 03-01-2015 at 04:24 PM.

03-01-2015, 04:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	Forever Changes is one of my favorite albums from the 60s. I love it. The songs are catchy, very psychedelic 60s and often rather funny. I'm not sure how much of the humour is intentional, but I guess some of it must be. My favorite song is The Red Telephone. I never tire of it __________________ Something Completely Different

03-07-2015, 03:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pet_Sounds Remember the underscore Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The other side Posts: 2,488	What were your impressions of this album after the first five minutes? Did those first impressions change as you listened to the album? I heard it for the first time a few months ago and pretty much loved it. Don't remember my exact reaction, but the first song's my favourite. Were the opening 2-3 tracks or the closing 2-3 tracks stronger? Closers are more consistent. Did you find you enjoyed this album more or less on repeated listens? Love it more every time I hear it. What was your favourite track? "Alone Again Or". What was your least favourite track? None really stand out as bad, but "Live and Let Live" didn't do as much for me as the others. What did you think of the variety of tracks presented? There's not a lot, but the music's good enough that there really doesn't need to be. How would you describe the overall mood? Ranges from relaxed and folky to wild and weird. Would you listen to it again for purposes other than this club? Already have. How well do you know this band/artist? I've heard their entire discography. If you're familiar with this band/artist, how does this album compare to their other work? This is their best. How would you improve this album? I wouldn't. Would you recommend this album to a friend? I actually have. They didn't like it. Will you be exploring this band/artists' other material? Already have. What did you think of the vocals? Normal '60s psych, nothing unusual. What did you think of the instrumentation? Apparently, the band began recording with members of The Wrecking Crew. I'm not sure how much of the album they played on, but it's certainly up to their standards. Especially love the flute. What did you think of the production? It was good--not over or under done, like some albums from that era. Any other thoughts to share? I've heard this a dozen times or more, but it's still nice to come back to. Rate the album out of ten. No decimals! 9/10 __________________ Everybody's dying just to get the disease

03-09-2015, 07:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
sidewinder Engorged Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,536	What were your impressions of this album after the first five minutes? I don't recall when I first heard it, but liking it from the start, knowing I had found something special. Did those first impressions change as you listened to the album? Not as far as I can recall. Were the opening 2-3 tracks or the closing 2-3 tracks stronger? I haven't played it recently but just from looking at the track titles, I think I might prefer the closing tracks. Did you find you enjoyed this album more or less on repeated listens? Initially more, than it plateaued. What was your favourite track? Favorites from memory are Andmoreagain, The Red Telephone, Maybe the People Would Be the Times or Between Clark and Hilldale, and The Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This. What was your least favourite track? There isn't a bad song on the album. What did you think of the variety of tracks presented? I find the album very varied and entertaining. How would you describe the overall mood? Psychedelic, upbeat, vibrant, raw, and accessible. Would you listen to it again for purposes other than this club? I already loved it before the club. How well do you know this band/artist? Pretty well, I've got their 4 classic albums. If you're familiar with this band/artist, how does this album compare to their other work? I find this album far more developed and consistent than their other albums. It is more realized without being overproduced, it still has a raw edge. How would you improve this album? I don't think I could. Would you recommend this album to a friend? Definitely. Will you be exploring this band/artists' other material? I already have. What did you think of the vocals? The vocals are passionate. What did you think of the instrumentation? Well played, gents. What did you think of the production? Raw, full of life, maybe a bit muddy at times. Any other thoughts to share? A classic of the California psych scene of the late 60s. Rate the album out of ten. No decimals![/QUOTE] 9/10 __________________ last.fm \| my collection on RYM \| vinyl instagram @allthatyouseeandhear I'd love to see your signature/links too, but the huge and obnoxious ones have caused me to block all signatures.

05-28-2017, 07:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
gypsy rider Groupie Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 22	Alone Again Or is magic beyond any genre.

04-17-2018, 06:02 AM	#8 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	( http://www.musicbanter.com/games-lis...litz-game.html ) Well, this is a sad reminder that it wasn't so long ago that quality posters like Pet_Sounds, sidewinder and tore were still active on MB - and that there was enough enthusiasm for music that Pet_Sounds' club ran for successfully for months. ( For some reason, I didn't follow his club at the time, but now I really wish I had ) I'm gonna wipe away the tears and come back later to comment on this album, ok? __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

04-17-2018, 06:18 AM	#9 (permalink)
OccultHawk one-balled nipple jockey Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dirty Souf Biatch Posts: 22,006	__________________ 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Member of the Year & Journal of the Year Champion Behold the Writing of THE LEGEND: https://www.musicbanter.com/members-...p-lighter.html