After the Pretty Things were kicked out of the original Rolling Stones lineup, they spent the next 4 decades ripping off everyone from ELO to Pink Floyd to the Beatles. Despite being a knockoff band, they did have some notable moments:
#1. They invented the first rock opera long before the Who’s “Tommy”. The album “S.F. Sorrow” is a typical 60’s psych-out album but has a much broader scope than many other artists could pull off at the time. The track that got my attention the most was “Baron Saturday”. It has a great heavy vibe and reminds me alot of what Kasabian just did on their last album.
#2. “Parachute” was named album of the year by Rolling Stone in 1970. I found it to be more of a mixed bag and not really worthy of such praise. But then there are moments that outshine anything off Abbey Road or Dark Side Of The Moon. “She’s A Lover” stands out as something to introduce to people so they can get a real taste of what the Pretty Things are all about. The main melody has a Zombies feel but the pickup from the middle 8 to the verse is what does it for me.The Pretty Things greatest asset (sounding just like or better than their contemporaries) ends up being their downfall, but what a fall it is. Listen to “Over The Moon”, pretend its ELO, and then you will see what I mean.
Baron Saturday
She’s A Lover Over The Moon
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Hey Johnny, how about the band “Garfield”, I totally digg this old 70’s band. Great vocals by Garfield French and try to listen to ” all alone again tonight” and not get a gut reaction.
Comment by klytus7 December 15, 2007 @ 7:28 pmyeah.. I went and found them on myspace.. they kind of have a Bread meets David Bowie sound… which in my book is a good thing.
Comment by songinmyhead January 4, 2008 @ 5:44 am