Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Graffiti
Company: ABC
Catalog: ABCS 663
Year: 1968
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: bullet hole top left; gatefold sleeve
Available: 1
Price: $70.00
Wish we knew more about this short-lived
outfit ... One thing we can tell you is the line up consisted of
multi-instrumentalist Steve
Benderoth, drummer Richie Blakin, rhythm guitarist Jon St. John,
lead guitarist George Strunz and singer Tony Taylor.
In spite of the fact this one's widely praised by critics and fans, we'll
readily admit to initially being disappointed by the band's
1968 self-titled debut. Our mistake. After listening to "Graffiti"
a couple of times, we've become increasingly attached to the album. Musically the set's kind of
hard to accurately describe. Largely penned by bassist Benderoth (St. John,
Strunz and Taylor also contributing material), the collection sports a
distinctive psych feel to it. for the curious, it comes complete with
odd time signatures, feedback guitar, Hammond organ, sound effects and stoned
lyrics. Elsewhere, (thanks to producers Ed Kramer, Jay Senter and Bob
Thiele), the weird stereo separation (the sound literally
fades from one channel to the other) on tracks like "Girl On Fire"
and "Jingle Jangle Woman" make it a cool album to listen to with
headphones. At the same time the set manages
to incorporate Association-styled harmonies and
progressive song structures (check out "New Life") into the mix. When it all
gets mixed together it can take a little time to get use to the results, but
it pays back the patience listener. On
reflection the Association comparison really isn't that bad - imagine that
outfit recovering from a weeklong acid binge and you'll get a feel for tracks
such as "The Capture of Me", the percussion and fuzz guitar
propelled "Life Blood" and
"Coldwater". Needless to say, the set vanished without a trace. (The album
was originally released with a gatefold sleeve.)
"Graffiti" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Father Protector (George Stunz - Steve Benderoth) - 4:11
2.) The Capture of Me (Steve Benderoth - Jon St. John) - 9:34
3.) Life Blood (Steve Benderoth)
4.) Interlude # 1 (instrumental)
5.) Jingle Jangle Woman (Steve Benderoth) - 4:06
(side
2)
1.) New Life (Steve Benderoth) - 2:48
2.) Girl On Fire (Steve Benderoth) - 2:24
3.) Interlude # 2 (instrumental) - 1:16
4.) Coldwater (George Strunz - Ted Taylor) - 4:35
5.) Interlude # 3 (instrumental) - 0:38
6.) Love In Spite (George Stunz - Steve Benderoth) - 3:17
7.) Ugly Mascara (Ronald Hovanacz) - 5:10
There are also a pair of non-LP singles:
1968's "He's Got the Knack" b/w "Love In Spite" (ABC catalog number 11123)
1969's "Do You Feel Sorry" b/w "Girl On Fire" (ABC catalog number 11182)