Album Information:
Album ID: 10081
About The Electric Prunes:
The Electric Prunes were a psychedelic rock band that originated in Los Angeles, California in the mid 1960s. The group was formed in 1965 by lead vocalist James Lowe, guitarist Ken Williams, bassist Mark Tulin, keyboardist Mark Weitz, and drummer Preston Ritter. They quickly gained popularity for their unique sound that fused psychedelic rock, garage rock, and electronic music.
In 1966, The Electric Prunes released their debut single, 'Ain't It Hard,' which quickly became a hit. They followed it up with their first studio album, 'The Electric Prunes,' which included the hit singles 'I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)' and 'Get Me to the World on Time.' Their sound, which featured prominent use of electronic instruments and experimental production techniques, was widely admired, and they soon became known as one of the pioneers of psychedelic rock.
The band went on to release several more albums, including 'Underground' (1967), 'Mass in F Minor' (1968), and 'Release of an Oath' (1968). However, internal tensions, creative differences, and issues with their record label led to the departure of several members, and the group eventually disbanded in 1970.
Despite their relatively short career, The Electric Prunes were highly influential in the development of psychedelic rock and electronic music. Their innovative use of electronic instruments and production techniques paved the way for future genres like synth-pop and new wave. The band's music has endured over the years, and they continue to be recognized as one of the most important acts of the psychedelic era.
About the album The Electric Prunes:
The Electric Prunes self-titled debut album was released in 1967 and is a hallmark of psychedelic rock. The album features a mix of dreamy melodies and distorted guitar riffs, creating a unique and trippy sound.
The album starts with the track 'I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night),' which is one of the band's most well-known hits. This song features a distinctive, fuzzed-out guitar riff that sets the mood for the album. The next track, 'Bangkok,' is a slower tune that features swirling, echoey vocals and a hypnotic bass line.
'Antique Doll' is a haunting ballad that builds in intensity as it progresses, while 'Dr. Do-Good' is a more upbeat track with a catchy chorus and funky guitar solo. The album also features a cover of the song 'Get Me to the World on Time,' which features prominent use of a wah-wah pedal.
One of the standout tracks on the album is 'Onie,' which starts as a gentle ballad before breaking out into a frenzied jam session. 'Train for Tomorrow' is another highlight, with its intricate guitar work and catchy chorus.
Overall, The Electric Prunes is a classic psychedelic rock album that captures the sound and spirit of the late 1960s. Its distinctive blend of dreamy melodies, distorted guitars, and trippy effects has made it a favorite among fans of psychedelic music for over five decades.
Members:
The Electric Prunes were an American rock band formed in the 1960s, best known for their hit song 'I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night).' The band had several members come and go throughout their career, but here are the key members:
- James Lowe (vocals): Lowe was born in 1947 in San Francisco, California, and grew up in the Los Angeles area. He became the lead singer of The Electric Prunes in 1965 and stayed with the band until 1967. After leaving the band, Lowe continued to work in the music industry as a producer and songwriter.
- Ken Williams (guitar): Williams was born in 1946 in San Francisco, California, and joined The Electric Prunes in 1965. He was one of the band's founding members and played on all of their albums. After leaving the band in 1969, Williams worked as a session musician and producer.
- Mark Tulin (bass): Tulin was born in 1948 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and joined The Electric Prunes in 1966. He played on their first three albums and was known for his distinctive playing style. Tulin also co-wrote many of the band's songs. After leaving the band in 1969, Tulin continued to play music and was involved in several different projects.
- Mike Gannon (guitar): Gannon was born in 1944 in Detroit, Michigan, and joined The Electric Prunes in 1967. He played on the band's third album, 'Mass in F Minor,' but left shortly thereafter. Gannon went on to work as a session musician and songwriter.
- Preston Ritter (drums): Ritter was born in 1949 in Tucson, Arizona, and joined The Electric Prunes in 1967. He played on the band's third album, 'Mass in F Minor,' but left shortly thereafter. Ritter played in several other bands throughout his career before passing away in 2015.
Track List for The Electric Prunes:
Sure, here are the tracks in The Electric Prunes album, along with their play time and a brief description of each:
1. 'I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)' - 2:59 - A psychedelic rock song featuring distorted guitar riffs, organ melodies, and a haunting vocal performance by lead singer James Lowe.
2. 'Bangles' - 2:25 - A fast-paced track with a catchy guitar riff and simple, repetitive lyrics about a girl named Bangles.
3. 'Onie' - 2:42 - A slower, bluesy track with a prominent bassline and melancholic vocals. The song is about a woman named Onie who has left the narrator.
4. 'Are You Lovin' Me More (But Enjoying It Less)' - 2:24 - A poppy, upbeat song with a driving rhythm and playful lyrics about a relationship that is losing its spark.
5. 'Train for Tomorrow' - 3:00 - A mid-tempo track that features a jangly guitar riff, bluesy harmonica, and lyrics about leaving one's hometown to pursue a brighter future.
6. 'Sold to the Highest Bidder' - 2:20 - A fast-paced, guitar-driven song with lyrics about the corrupting influence of money and power.
7. 'Get Me to the World on Time' - 2:30 - One of the album's most upbeat tracks, featuring catchy guitar and organ riffs and lyrics about trying to escape the confines of one's everyday life.
8. 'About a Quarter to Nine' - 2:10 - A more straightforward rock and roll song with lyrics about waiting for a lover to arrive at a predetermined time.
9. 'The King Is in the Counting House' - 2:00 - A short and sweet track with a catchy guitar riff and lyrics that don't really seem to connect to each other thematically.
10. 'Luvin' - 2:05 - Another fast-paced rock and roll song with a lot of energy and a repetitive, chant-like chorus.
11. 'Try Me On for Size' - 2:22 - A bluesy track with a standout bassline and lyrics about trying on different identities and personas.
12. 'The Toonerville Trolley' - 2:50 - A quirky, upbeat track with a kazoo-like guitar riff and playful lyrics about getting on a trolley and leaving one's troubles behind.
Overall, The Electric Prunes album is a classic of '60s garage rock and psychedelic music, featuring a mix of moody ballads, driving rockers, and trippy experimentation. Each track brings its own unique energy and flavor to the album, making it a must-listen for any fans of the era.
Discography for The Electric Prunes:
Here is the complete discography for The Electric Prunes in chronological order:
Albums:
1. The Electric Prunes (1967)
Released on: Reprise Records
2. Underground (1967)
Released on: Reprise Records
3. Mass in F Minor (1968)
Released on: Reprise Records
4. Release of an Oath (1968)
Released on: Reprise Records
5. Just Good Old Rock and Roll (1969)
Released on: Uni Records
6. California (2004)
Released on: Pruned Apple Label
Singles:
1. 'Ain't It Hard' / 'Little Oreana' (1966)
Released on: Reprise Records
2. 'I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)' / 'Luvin' (1966)
Released on: Reprise Records
3. 'Get Me to the World on Time' / 'Are You Lovin' Me More (But Enjoying It Less)' (1967)
Released on: Reprise Records
4. 'Everybody Knows You're Not in Love' / 'You've Never Had it Better' (1967)
Released on: Reprise Records
5. 'The Great Banana Hoax' / 'Wind-Up Toys' (1967)
Released on: Reprise Records
6. 'Dr. Do-Good' / 'Hideaway' (1967)
Released on: Reprise Records
7. 'Shadows' / 'Sold to the Highest Bidder' (1968)
Released on: Reprise Records
8. 'Hey Mr. President' / 'Flowing Smoothly' (1968)
Released on: Reprise Records
9. 'The Adoration' / 'General Confessional' (1968)
Released on: Reprise Records
10. 'Everybody Knows You're Not in Love' / 'I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)' [reissue] (1968)
Released on: Reprise Records
11. 'The King Is in the Counting House' / 'The Count' (1969)
Released on: Uni Records
Other Releases:
1. 'The Electric Prunes - Rewired' (2001)
Released on: Pruned Apple Label
2. 'Artifact' (2014)
Released on: Pruned Apple Label
Note: This discography includes the original releases of the albums and singles. The Electric Prunes have had various reissues and compilation releases over the years.