Second album from Dallas-based ‘60s pop-rock hitmakers
This Dallas-based quintet broke into the Top 40 with their bluesy garage rocker “I See the Light†in 1966 and followed the next year with their biggest hit, “Western Union.†Both songs were group originals, which was a trend that continued on this second album. The title track is a catchy pop-rocker with bouncy bass and drums, tight harmony singing and an unforgettable falsetto hook. The rest of their originals are organ and guitar-based with light arrangements, terrific vocals and the occasional country tinge. Highlights include the harmony-rich ballad “Now That It’s Over,†the folk-rock “Sound of Love,†the fuzz bass and beat heavy “Reality,†and the Ohio Express styled bubblegum bonus track, “Lovin’ is Livin’.†The album’s three covers are more interesting for their range of material than their actual performances. “I Put a Spell on You†(written by the album’s producer, Dale Hawkins) suggests the Animals, but isn’t as heavy, nor as sinister as the Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Worse, the vocal on Roger Miller’s “Husbands and Wives†sounds like a goof rather than a finished take. Sundazed has done a tremendous job re-mastering this into a surprisingly crisp CD. Casual listeners might be better off with the group’s Best Of, but fans will relish this full album reissue. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com] 