Pussy: Pussy Plays (1969)
This, alas, is not one of the gems. Still, I do take a certain pleasure in even mediocre, badly-dated music from that era. And, by mediocre, I don't mean bad -- though I have plenty of truly bad psychedelic albums. I just mean the multitude of unmemorable records best served by being represented with a lone track on a Nuggets compilation, yet I still like to dig into the deep-track album cuts.
The acid-happy Pussy (about which little can be found) released a single LP, 1969's Plays -- and, having searched for information about this online, I can personally attest that by no means should you google "pussy plays" on a work computer. As both the band's name and the cover art attest (as does the decision to open the record with the sound of what appears to be a strangled cat), it's a little dubious... but not without some simple joys.
Opening track "Come Back June" (after said strangled cat introduction) is perfectly decent 60s psychedelia, an upbeat, organ-driven riff-rocker (mild shades of Deep Purple's "Hush"), perfect fodder for a '69 compilation. The album goes downhill from there, sticking to organ and guitar-driven garage rock and proto-prog, with all the trippy silliness of the age (spooky basslines, vaguely raga-esque keyboard solos, silly spoken word interludes). There are also a few wigged-out instrumentals (like the dorky "Comets," full of moog-like effects and stoned chants and a ridiculous spoken-word outro) that sound like they were written for the soundtrack of a terrible late 60s Roger Corman film.
So, no, not a ringing endorsement, but for those who share my passion for inconsequential yet amusingly period-specific psyche, you'll get a kick out of it.
Here's an audio rip of "Come Back June":
The moog sound was a one knob Oscillator turned by me Manually by me. All the Members of Pussy are still alive as of Sept 2021. The strangled cat was not in the band and was not hurt during the production of this album .
ReplyDeleteVery cool LP will play a track or two on upcoming BEATSVILLE show on mixcloud.com. Will highlight it as one of the new releases of note on our BEATSVILLE blog at blogger.com.
DeleteThanks for the lead guitar, Barry. It's groovy.
ReplyDeleteI’m going to have to respectfully disagree. I this this is one of the finest examples of British psych from that era. Every instrument is busy but never overstays welcome. Each track is wildly different is style and sentiment making it never a boring listen for me. Personally, this album is one of a kind, not alike any other and for that and the genuinely terrific playing, this album rules.
ReplyDeleteI think I need to revisit this one!
DeleteI had just recently found a repop of this album at a local record store, (love you lots everybodys records!) had to get my grubby hands on it!
ReplyDelete