Love (studio album) by Love

An overlooked Love album, overshadowed by the two more psychedelic offerings. This album has plenty of psychedelic tinges, more of a garage rock style. For those who thought Hendrix wrote 'Hey Joe', here it is on Love's debut. Signed DC and Mushroom Clouds are anthems to mind expanding drugs for sure.

This is a more of a garage rock album, with less in common with the following "Da Capo" and "Forever Changes".

From Boltzmann 12/11/2019 08:09

A prime example of garage rock. Jimi Hendrix surely was a fan of his vocal style, and no, 'Hey Joe' is not an example of that, merely evidence that he listened to this album. I prefer the next two albums for adding some interesting instrementation and structural complexity on which the simplicity of Lee's songwriting really reaches its full potential.

Good album, although a little uneven, and certainly the best is yet to come. Still, interesting to see the start of the journey that Arthur Lee and co took to eventually get to, forever changes.

Great debut.

Love first album from 1966 has often been overlooked because of the extraordinary greatness of the two following albums "Da Capo" and "Forever Changes". The general sound on the album is rougher than on the following albums. But the album is actually a fine mixture of hard-rocking tunes and melodic ballads.
"My Little Red Book" , which was a minor hit-single, is probably the best known track and also one of the highlights. Among the ballads Arthur Lee's "A Message to Pretty" is outstanding and Bryan MacLean's "Softly to Me" indicates what great tunes would come from him later. "Mushroom Clouds" is also a fine tune.

Among the harder rocking tracks "No Matter What You Do", in spite of its rough production, is both cathcy and moving. The acoustic early version of "Signed DC" is simply moving.

The B-side bonus track "Number 14" is a nice addition to the album, and the alternate version of "Signed DC" is great!

Though the album is not as consistent as the following albums, tracks like "My Little Red Book", "A Message to Pretty" and "No Matter What You Do" would have fitted nicely into the "Da Capo" album. A great album that deserves recognition as one of the best albums of 1966, alongside their inspirators' ( the Byrds ) album "Fifth Dimension". Especially the bass-lines are often reminiscent of the early Byrds sound.

From lancashirearab 04/15/2012 08:23

Great debut album from the band. I like the way they used the same photo shoot for both this album and Da Capo.