Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Graffiti
Company: ABC
Catalog: ABCS 663
Year: 1968
Grade (cover/record): NM/NM
Comments: bullet hole top left; gatefold sleeve
Available: 1
Price: $60.00
Co-produced by Bob Thiele, Ed Kramer and Jay Senter, in spite of the fact it's widely praised by critics, we were initially disappointed by the band's 1968 self-titled debut. Our mistake. After listening to "Graffiti" a couple of times, it becomes increasingly good. Musically the set's kind of hard to accurately describe. Largely penned by bassist Benderoth (St. John, Stunz and Taylor also contributing), the material is definitely psych (feedback guitar, Hammond organ, sound effects, stoned lyrics), but manages to incorporate other elements including Association-styled harmonies and progressive song structures (check out "New Life"). When it all gets mixed together it can take a little time to get use to the results. On reflection the Association comparison really isn't that bad - imagine the band in the wake of a weeklong acid binge and you'll get a feel for tracks such as "The Capture of Me", "LifeBlood" and "Coldwater". The weird stereo separation (the sound literally fades from one channel to the other) on tracks like "Girl On fire" and "Jingle Jangle Woman" make it a cool album to listen to with headphones. Needless to say, the set vanished without a trace. (The album was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)
"Graffiti" track listing:
1.) Father Protector (George Stunz - Steve Benderoth) - 4:11
2.) The Capture of Me (Steve Benderoth - Jon St. John) - 9:34
3.) LifeBlood (Steve Benderoth)
4.) Interlude #1
5.) Jingle Jangle Woman (Steve Benderoth) - 4:06
6.) New Life (Steve Benderoth) - 2:48
7.) Girl On Fire (Steve Benderoth) - 2:24
8.) Interlude #2 - 1:16
9.) Coldwater (George Strunz - Ted Taylor) - 4:35
10.) Interlude #3 - 0:38
11.) Love In Spite (George Stunz - Steve Benderoth) - 3:17
12.) Ugly Mascara (Ronald Hovanacz) - 5:10