The undisputed kings of bubblegum psych are welcomed at Rev-Ola like old, old friends. It’s a pleasure chaps.‘Green Tambourine’; massive hit everywhere; covered by 1001 artists; dyed-in-the-wool classic. ‘Rice Is Nice’, ‘Jelly Jungle’, those sweet and soft hits just kept coming. But behind the grins of Ohio’s happy hippie hit makers was a down and dirty psychedelic rock band, a caged beast straining to get out. Just listen to the likes of ‘Fifty Year Void’, ‘No Help From Me’ and the eardrum-frying ‘Through With You’ for proof. Love Beads And Meditation combines their two albums, Green Tambourine and Jungle Marmalade, which mashed up those Paul Leka-helmed soft pop bubblegum gems (listen to ‘Rainbow Tree’ and ‘Love Beads And Meditation’ and try not to smile – it’s impossible!) with the band’s growling rock tendencies and confused the hell out of everybody. Forty years later it’s easier to take them at face value and enjoy them for what they are – great late ‘60s pop records.
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