Back in the 1960s, the psych-rock period of the mid to late sixties was one of the most productive in rock history, with artists and bands experimenting in every way. And while presenting their music through albums was in full swing, singles were still a dominant form - after all, you had to get that radio play to make your music heard.
While the release schedules were not as full as they are these days, there were not so many ways you could reach a wider audience - if a DJ or critic didn’t hear, play, or recommend your music, you were left with the word of mouth by those who haphazardly run into it.
Many songs deserved more, and whether they got wider exposure or not, quite a few of them were left only for devoted fans at the time. Here are a dozen buried psych-rock gems that need some serious revivals these days.
12 psych-rock songs that need to be heard all over again
Love - “7 and 7 Is” (1966)
Hitting number 30 when it was originally released, this blistering proto-punk gem was sadly the highest-charting song for this legendary band. It got some deserved extra exposure when it was included in the High Fidelity film soundtrack, and it still sounds new and fresh to this day.
Mothers of Invention - “Who Are The Brain Police?” (1966)
Back in 1966 and on for a while Frank Zappa and his Mothers of Invention were considered a strange beast, and this truly strange one from their first album was a true experimental piece that still could catch your ear. Some 58 years on, the lyrics of this one show that they have real substance.
Small Faces - “Itchycoo Park” (1967)
This full-on psychedelia did do well in the charts at the time (U.K. number three and US number 16, even better elsewhere), but as it was released with psych singles in abundance it somehow undeservedly went into shadows as time passed by. It was widely covered and was turned into a dance hit by M People in 1995, but certainly deserves another run today.
Classics IV - “Spooky” (1967)
This laid-back, free-flowing single (which reached U.S. and Canadian charts in the low fifties) was one of the first examples of blue-eyed psych-soul, that has elements of timelessness that make it an excellent revival material.
Pearls Before Swine – "Translucent Carriages" (1967)
Late Tom Rapp and his Pearls Before Swine were a true example of what psych-folk was really about, with some brilliant albums and equally brilliant songs/singles, this one being one of the best examples of what Rapp could come up with.
Tomorrow – "My White Bicycle" (1967)
At the time, Keith Wes and his Tomorrow were touted as the next big (psych) thing, and all of that was based on this, the band’s first single. The critics loved it, but it never got to the charts. These days it is (deservedly) to be found on so many sixties psych compilations for all the right reasons.
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band – "I Won’t Hurt You” (1967)
With such a long band name, these California guys did well with a staunch cult following, but this languid, subdued gem had no chance with the charts. It is yet another one that gets included in so many psych compilations and for all the right reasons.
Traffic - “Hole In My Shoe” (1967)
This Dave Mason song did well at the time in the charts (U.K. number two, and well elsewhere), but Steve Winwood and the other two members of the band were not too keen on it, and it was somewhat overshadowed by another of the band’s singles at the time, "Paper Sun.” It's a great song, nevertheless.
The Sundowners - “Always You” (1967)
Sunshine pop always had close connections with psychedelia, and this excellent harmony-laden song with its great brass intro is a prime example of how such a combination can work.
The United States of America – "The Garden of Earthly Delights" (1968)
The U.S.A. was one of those psych-era bands that came up with a brilliant album (and singles from it) and then promptly disappeared, no matter how good they were. This one, with its early use of electronics, shows that these guys (and gals) should have made it big.
The Pretty Things – "SF Sorrow Is Born" (1968)
Concept albums were popping up quite quickly in the late sixties, and this one was culled from the album that is touted as possibly the first rock opera. Opera or not, both the song/single and the album were great psych rock no matter what.
Pink Floyd - “Julia Dream” (1968)
After Syd Barrett was out, Pink Floyd was trying to find out which way to go. This one, actually a B-side of “It Would Be So Nice” included some of the first vocals by David Gilmour and some intricate mellotron throughout. It should have been an A-side, maybe now is the time.