Nuggets 4CD compilation (Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968)

Member Name: tav

Product:	Nuggets: Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968
Date:	14/07/00 (107 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great music, most of it forgotten classics

Disadvantages: low audio quality on some tracks

This compilation contains 4 CDs of great music, mostly from the period 1964-1968, and all from the USA. This was a highly fertile period for the garage band concept in that country: inspired by British bands like the Beatles, every kid had a band or was in a band. This obviously produced it's fair share of unlistenable music, but these CDs are a compilation of some of the best music to come out of that era. Most of the tracks were regional hits, a few went national, but almost all have been forgotten, except perhaps for the ubiquitous Louie Louie by The Kingsmen.

There are many stand-out tracks: the aforementioned Louie Louie, I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night by the Electric Prunes, You're Gonna Miss Me by The Thirteenth Floor Elevators (though frontman Roky Eriksson's previous band's effort is in my opinion far superior - catch that on the album 'The Best of Pebbles'), and many others. Fans of the Cramps or the Fuzztones may recognize a few tracks here and there - Primitive, Psychotic Reaction, Strychnine.

All in all this is a great compilation of 1960's music - some punk, some unashamed pop. CD 1 is a personal favourite, perhaps no surprise seeing as this is in fact the original Nuggets album, with a glorious rendition of Respect which may well have become the standard, were it not for the fact that Aretha Franklin's label released her version first.

There are a few weak tracks, and extended listening may get to you because the audio quality on some is well below par (these were after all mostly low-budget affairs), but all in all this should get you rockin'-and-a-rollin' all night long. Just don't touch any drugs, or the walls will start melting.

Summary: