Your introduction to Psych-Rock rarities part 1

My definition of psych-rock is basically anything from the late 1960s or early 1970s that wasn't mainstream and sold in the hundreds rather than the thousands or millions. I may stray from that definition, but it's about the best I'll get. I've been listening to a lot of this stuff of late, and thought I'd share some of the best in the hope that more people might go and explore the same. Psych-rock albums can be a pretty mixed bag, some considerably better than others, some patchy at best - but when they're great (as they so often are) they really are Grrreat!

I tend to favour the folk-rock, pop-rock, kraut-rock sort of thing over the heavy rock workouts and prog rock doodlings. Probably because I come to this via Indie rock, the Beatles and Dylan rather than AC/DC: but whatever rocks your boat, really. I'm probably a bit of a sucker for anything with stronger-than-treacle female vocals or a pretty hippie chick on the cover...

Anyway - I'll share these in digestable chunks of five tracks at a time (when I get time), so hopefully there will be some quality control and you'll discover something you like. This series of posts should make up a great introductory compilation, and a roadmap to further exploration.

As usual, more info on most of these bands can be found on allmusic and other specialist sites, and currently available CDs can be purchased by clicking on the small cover images below.

The first bunch of fives are available from any of the links below:

01. The Monks - I hate you (from Black Monk Time, 1966)

02. Analogy - Tin's Song (from Analogy, 1972)

03. Merrel Fankhauser & H.M.S. Bounty - Drivin' Sideways (On A One Way Street) (from Things, 1968)

04. American Spring - Fallin' in Love (from Spring, 1971)

05. Bröselmaschine - The Old man's Song (from Bröselmaschine, 1971)

The Monks are more garage band really, but they were the original punks - American GIs in Germany on leave, bashing out the most anarchic and dark r'n'b.

The American Spring track shouldn't be there really, but it's by the wife of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys/Smile fame (along with her sister), produced by Brian and written by his brother Dennis Wilson. It's also a really sweet sound.

Special credit goes to ChrisGoesRock, and gold stars also to 8DaysInApril

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