This is the sophomore effort from the Prunes. I feel this was unjustly panned by the critics as it shows the group growing up in thier sound. They would go from a teenage wet dream set to the tone of a fuzz guitar to a more tight sound, and more introspective songs. The liner notes were written by Barbara Harris. I'm not sure if she's the one who was in the domineering mother comedy "Oh Dad...Poor Dad" with Johnathan Winters, but she was a fox in that movie. Anyway the songs range with "The Great Banana Hoax" has a more soul sound to it, and there's some punkish tunes like "Children Of Rain", and then there's the stabs at psychedelia with "Antique Doll", "I", and "Hideaway". There's also a novelty song released as a single called "Dr. Do Good". Unfortunately the Prunes fell in the box with a bunch of other groups written off as "One Hit Wonders". The only other tunes that saw the light of day were "Everybody Knows You're Not In Love" off the "Release Of An Oath" album, and "Kyrie Elliason" which wasn't heard until the movie "Easy Rider". It was a fickle audience and managers that killed the band. "Underground" was definitely underrated.
After reviewing Mass in F Minor, I happened upon the Collectors Choice reissue of Underground and sought to replace my old vinyl copy.
Listening to it again it is hard to understand how I let it out of my regular listening albums in the first place.
Psychedelia meets punk and what a combination. The album is drenched in guitar and organ effects, surreal lyrics and playing yet with a hard edge at times.
There are some great songs on this, a personal favourite being the weird, I, and a variety of styles.
Buy this album, listen to it on headphones, or if you have them those Sharper Image goggles. Play it LOUD, play it often, play it to your friends. Experience this album.
You will be glad you did.
Especially recommended to anyone interested in this era!
Underground
Bit rate: 128 kps
LINK: underground
01 - The Great Banana Hoax.MP3
02 - Children of Rain.mp3
03 - Wind-Up Toys.mp3
04 - Antique Doll.mp3
05 - It's Not Fair.mp3
06 - I Happen To Love You.mp3
07 - Dr. Do-Good.mp3
08 - I.mp3
09 - Hideaway.mp3
10 - Big City.mp3
11 - Capt Glory.mp3
12 - Long Day's Flight.mp3
13 - Everybody Knows You're .mp3
14 - You Never Had It Better.mp3
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