The Electric Prunes have always been a California band. Screaming out of the late 60's their pulsating music captured the hope and angst of a drifting generation. Well the drifting is back, and so are the Electric Prunes! ... more »Perhaps to the rescue! From the minute you "come flying", as the lyric suggests on the introduction, this seminal band delivers the goods. 13 surprising new flame-laden psych tracks melt your speakers with "Prune" trademark fuzz, twang, tremolo and mayhem. For those that thought the 60's were over.....hang onto your wah wah! Not some rehash or recreation of a time past, this is the real thing played as only the "real people" can play it. The "California" of the 60's is found at the end of some gloriously simple songs, memorable riffs and a sense that each track is actually taking place in some cosmic vortex of a past time. This record sounds just like 1967! Legendary Moby Grapeist Peter Lewis joins the band for some vintage 60's guitar work on "Rickenbacker 12 String", an ode to that very special "California made" 12 string guitar. California mixes some cool Rudi Protrudi abstract guitar artwork on the cover, with a range of images from a touring musician losing his pants in France (49 SONGS), to a guy that can't leave his flipped out girlfriend because he just tattooed her name on his bum (Rosy made me crazy). Face it, all pertinent topics. "California" is Escapist Surfing, the Hollywood Movie Business, Famous Friends, even an ass kicking Tidal Wave. This CD leaves no doubt in what is left of anyone's mind that the Electric Prunes were, and are, anchors for a drifting generation. Man the lifeboats!« less
The Electric Prunes have always been a California band. Screaming out of the late 60's their pulsating music captured the hope and angst of a drifting generation. Well the drifting is back, and so are the Electric Prunes! Perhaps to the rescue! From the minute you "come flying", as the lyric suggests on the introduction, this seminal band delivers the goods. 13 surprising new flame-laden psych tracks melt your speakers with "Prune" trademark fuzz, twang, tremolo and mayhem. For those that thought the 60's were over.....hang onto your wah wah! Not some rehash or recreation of a time past, this is the real thing played as only the "real people" can play it. The "California" of the 60's is found at the end of some gloriously simple songs, memorable riffs and a sense that each track is actually taking place in some cosmic vortex of a past time. This record sounds just like 1967! Legendary Moby Grapeist Peter Lewis joins the band for some vintage 60's guitar work on "Rickenbacker 12 String", an ode to that very special "California made" 12 string guitar. California mixes some cool Rudi Protrudi abstract guitar artwork on the cover, with a range of images from a touring musician losing his pants in France (49 SONGS), to a guy that can't leave his flipped out girlfriend because he just tattooed her name on his bum (Rosy made me crazy). Face it, all pertinent topics. "California" is Escapist Surfing, the Hollywood Movie Business, Famous Friends, even an ass kicking Tidal Wave. This CD leaves no doubt in what is left of anyone's mind that the Electric Prunes were, and are, anchors for a drifting generation. Man the lifeboats!
CD Reviews
It's Like They never Left!
Mark Cloud | Murrieta, CA USA | 08/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Often, when bands get back together after many years apart, they find that the old magic somehow eludes them. They become little more than a sad nostalgia-fest. But not so the Prunes! With the "California" CD, they somehow take that old 60s/psychedelic/punk/surf thing they did so well and bring it into the 21st century. It really is like they never split up in the first place!
Honestly, there is not a weak cut on this record. But, that said, I do, of course, have my favorites: "Slideshow Charade" with its bizzare harmonies effectively sets the 60s-never-ended-and-they're-still-great tone; "Pacific Ocean Blue" is a delightful paean to the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson, with an intriguing musical/melodic structure; "Rewired" (great pun) is terrific riff rock; "Tidal Wave" with its infectuous melody and guitar hooks simply demands radio play (programmers please take note). It's all here: the distorted stratocasters; wammy bars; tremolo; engaging, flowery lyrics; and plain old---if I may use the phrase---innocent fun.
The Electric Prunes have pulled off the nearly impossible: they have managed to preserve and update their sound to make it even better and more original than the music they first made together all those years ago.
If you happen to run into them somewhere, please give them a hearty thanks and handshake for me."
Electrifying!
D. Greenfield | daly city, ca United States | 05/31/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Electric Prunes were among the few truly innovative bands from the 60's garage and psychedelic eras. Their music sounds like no others, and it comes as no surprise to hear a new record full of surprises.The Prunes play with wisdom and experience, with a deeply youthful attitude. To me, that's the difference...They honor their glory days, yet they don't appear to be trapped in time. Maturity has served them well, and it's allowed them to create an interesting, inspired album that contains a surprise around every corner. ROSY MADE ME CRAZY is my current favorite. Expect the unexpected on this recording. Just remember...This ain't no revival act. This is rock and roll at it finest."
Electric Prunes still shines!!!!!!
Stefan Asplund | Stockholm/Sweden | 05/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like the Prunes this is a MUST in your collection. The whole cd floats like ocean waves. The music is so fantasic, the songs are amazing. The song "I never knew what you wanted" is worth the price alone................A true classic, just like their 3 first albums!!!!!"
The sixties are alive
Anthony Bambace | Tuckahoe, New York USA | 02/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Moby Grapist Peter Lewis' voice may have lost a bit of its edge, but his chops are still solidly in the sixties. SLIDESHOW CHARADE is the album's standout track. Other excellent cuts are PACIFIC OCEAN BLUE, an ode to surfing and the Beach Boys, and the group's tribute to the Byrds THE RICKENBACKER 12 STRING. An excellent Psychedelic/garage flavored album that would have fit seemlessly as an August, 1967 release. Hopefully, there are more jems of this ilk to follow.
"
Psychedelic Masterpiece
Joseph P. Darak Jr. | Gallup, NM United States | 09/14/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I always hoped for a reunion of the Electric Prunes, but never expected it to happen. After the ecstatic shock wore off, when I heard they were back, I worried that like most bands they would comeback in a vain attempt to either resell their old stuff, or make music to fit into the current commercial trend. Wow, what a happy surprise. They came back more psychedelic than ever. Old prune albums had a few great songs on them and then some failed experiments. This album is solidly great all the way thru. They merely picked up where they left off and went a few steps further. I always wondered what they could have done if only they stayed together. Well here it is at last. I especially like the songs Rewired and Cinema Verite, which is kind of a spooky tune. I hope they contunue to experiment and go further out there where no band has gone before. I believe many of these songs could have been hit singles back in the day. I hope in the future they forget the psychedelic pop idea and launch into epic voyages of mental transmutation, transformation; you get it, real psychedelic adventures. If you like the Electric Prunes or psychedelic music at all, then you really need to get this album. If you never heard psychedelic music this is the perfect place to start. It is a real treat, a masterpiece."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1