Psychedelic, electronic, experimental.
A cult psychedelic classic here for you tonight ladies and gentlemen. The United States of America's self titled and sole album rank as one of the best of the 60s, which is a tough decade to stand out in. Recorded and released in 1968 this is unfortunately the bands only release, yet it is a work of huge quality both in its experimental sound and catchy juxtaposed songs. In a broad way it is reminiscent of The Zombies "Odyssey and Oracle" where light poppy songs are accompanied by less than poppy lyrics. Its dreamy ballad songs are some of the albums best songs and due to its freaky female vocals remind me a lot of Velvet Underground and Nico and also a much distorted Grace Slick in Jefferson airplane.
The album was revolutionary for its pioneering use of electronics(the ring modulator) and heavy mesmerizing themes, its very much a unique album in this sense but one that also fits its era perfectly. Along with Silver apples who also released their self titled album in 1968, this album sound was predicting later decades of ambient synthesizer dominant music, and whose only equivalents can been seen as those in krautrock.
The album starts with a circus themed "The American Metaphysical Circus", a highlight and bizarre song(see the mildly jaded amg review). The other stand out songs are "Cloud song", "Where is yesterday" and some nice bass in "Coming Down", but really the whole album is excellent. If you like psychedelic, interesting or experimental music check out this album.
jamscoopa
Please buy this album from:
US
UK
Or please delete within 24 hours, and buy:^^
USofA (256kbs)
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