Herman's Hermits - Blaze LP 1967

MGM SE 4478

US 1967

levy Ex-  paksu levy jossa paikoin hairlinea

kannet Ex-

nettikehua: What we have here is nothing short of the redemption of Herman’s Hermits. Indeed, each song appears as a new surprise on this very hip and happening LP, from the slowed-down cover of Donovan’s “Museum” to the Diddley freak-out of “Ace, King, Queen, Jack”. In between lies a world of pure British pop with just a pinch of psychedelia, the beauty of which is expertly magnified by superb string arrangements, and Mickie Most’s pleasant, understated production. As for Peter Noone, he navigates with remarkable ease between the country rhythms of “I Call Out Her Name” and the Donovan-like mannerisms of “Moonshine Man”, even making a little Ray Davies of himself on “Green Street Green”. The highlights of this album remain the oh-so-sweet “Busy Line”, as well as the formidably melodic “Upstairs, Downstairs”, which at first uncannily resembled the Hollies to these ears, an impression verified by the Graham Gouldman songwriting credit. On good days, I like to think I haven’t experienced such a revelation since Turtle Soup. Who woulda thunk it?