Top Ten Garage/Psychedelic Reissues of 2004 (as always, in no particular order):

1. The United States of America
(Self-Titled)

(Columbia 1968/Sundazed 2004)

The sole album by avant rockers The United States of America was reissued on CD before, but it truly received the star treatment when recently reissued by Sundazed. Combining thoughtful lyrics with incredibly inventive music, including pioneering electronic instrumentation, the group's original album has been acknowledged as a groundbreaking tour-de-force for decades. The aural assault of tracks like "Hard Coming Love" and "Coming Down" combined with the beauty of more subtle, quieter numbers like "Cloud Song" and "Love Song for the Dead Ché" make for a powerful whole. On this new Sundazed CD, the original 1968 Columbia LP is supplemented by a wealth of interesting bonus tracks, including early, demo versions of their album tracks and later, unreleased songs recorded as imaginative chanteuse Dorothy Moskowitz began to assume creative control of the group from Joe Byrd, its initial mastermind (who was at least equally imaginative, incidentally). In addition to the ten bonus tracks, this reissue boasts lavish packaging, photos, and fascinating liner notes by both Byrd and Moskowitz themselves.

2. Various Artists
Hallucinations: Psychedelic Pop Nuggets from the WEA Vaults

(Rhino Handmade 2004)

Rhino's limited-edition Rhino Handmade imprint made a big splash in 60s circles in 2004 with Hallucinations and its sister compilation Come to the Sunshine: Soft Pop from the WEA Vaults. Both comps are produced by Nuggets bigwig Andrew Sandoval, and are composed of material that was released on major labels like Warner Bros., Reprise, and Atlantic. Hallucinations includes tracks by well-known artists like The Association, Kim Fowley, The Electric Prunes, and even the Monkees, but it also boats contributions by a number of total unknowns like The Next Exit, Jeff Thomas, and Brass Buttons. The amazing thing about Hallucinations isn't the high standard it maintains, but the fact that the material is of such a high quality and yet, largely obscure; some of the best tracks here are by artists that most psych fans have never heard of. Also striking about the material on Hallucinations is the high degree of production, contributed by legendary producers like Richard Podolor, Dave Hassinger, Don & Phil Everly, and Curt Boettcher. Hallucinations is a very worthwhile addition the Nuggets canon, as is Come to the Sunshine, and fans of those comps are eagerly anticipating S.O.S.: Garage Rock Nuggets from the WEA Vaults, due out in 2005.

3. Simon Dupree and the Big Sound
Part of My Past: The Simon Dupree and the Big Sound Anthology

(EMI International 2004)

Originating from Portsmouth, UK, Simon Dupree and the Big Sound are best remembered today for their psychedelic single "Kites", which made the UK Top Ten in 1967. While "Kites" is undeniably a fine tune, it represents stylistically but a portion of what the band was capable of. This recent two-disc compilation from EMI, however, presents the full story of Simon Dupree and the Big Sound. Across these two discs, Simon Dupree and the Big Sound offer the full gamut of 60s pop: rock, rhythm and blues, white-boy soul, dreamy psychedelia, and even early progressive rock. Part of My Past includes the group's complete 1967 Parlophone album Without Reservations in both mono and stereo, single-only tracks, previously unreleased material including songs planned for a second album that never saw fruition, and both sides of their nifty "We are the Moles" single, released under the suitably "underground" pseudonym The Moles. The variety of material on Part of My Past is engaging in itself, and the group's melding of genres and occasionally excellent songwriting make for enjoyable listening. With its wealth of material and lavish packaging and liners, Part of My Past is a triumph, offering the complete picture of a group that deserves a closer look.

4. Jake Holmes
The Above Ground Sound Of

(Tower 1967/Radioactive 2004)

Jake Holmes is an artist who requires not only an introduction, but an explanation as well. A New York-based folk rocker, Holmes made the rounds of typical nightspots and offered his own distillation of singer-songwriter folk before releasing two flop albums for Tower Records. In recent years, a buzz has been generated around the unassuming Holmes and his elusive recorded output due to the eventual discovery that he actually composed a signature track of one of rock's most legendary groups. Yes, "Dazed and Confused", popularized by Led Zeppelin on their 1969 debut album, was originally written by Holmes, and appeared on his 1967 Tower album The Above Ground Sound of Jake Holmes. Apparently, The Jimmy Page-era Yardbirds caught one of Holmes's New York shows and adopted "Dazed and Confused" into their own live show, before breaking up and morphing into Led Zeppelin. The tune became a classic live Zeppelin staple, and no credit was ever given to Holmes, its original author. Finally, however, Holmes is beginning to get his due credit, supported by welcome CD reissues of his Tower albums on the UK label Radioactive Records. On Above Ground Sound, Holmes presents his original version of "Dazed and Confused", which is dark, deceptively simple, and utterly compelling, along with a number of other idiosyncratic, stark acid-folk tunes that sound at once of, and ahead of, their time.

5. The Bachs
Out of the Bachs

(Private Pressing 1968/Gear Fab 2004)

The Bachs were a Chicago garage band who recorded a mega-rare, privately pressed album in 1968. True, many garage bands put out their own albums in the 60s; there's nothing particularly special about that. There is, however, something particularly special about Out of the Bachs. Inside the homemade cover with the cutout photo of J.S. Bach lies a collection of beautiful, expressive music created by a couple of inspired, if unusually melancholy, teenagers. Though their composition style owed more to their rock contemporaries than to their baroque namesake, The Bachs' songs showed a skill and maturity rarely seen in teenage garage bands. Despite limited funds and less-than-ideal recording conditions, the artistry of songwriters Black Allison and John Peterman shines through beautifully on the album, which consists of all original compositions. With minor keys, emotive melodies, and well-chosen words, songs like "Pleasure of Your Company", "Free Fall", and "Minister to a Mind Diseased" express fear, longing, sadness, alienation, and rebellion with stunning frankness and eloquence. Out of the Bachs is an amazing accomplishment, an absolute jewel. Though the album has been bootlegged before, this new reissue from Gear Fab is its first legitimate CD release, and it includes unseen photos of the group as well as a rare, unreleased live track.

6. The 23rd Turn Off
The Dreams of Michelangelo

(RPM 2004)

The 23rd Turn Off's song "Michelangelo", released on the progressive Deram label in 1967, is a true classic of British psychedelic pop. The understated vocal, compelling guitar work and classy trumpet, and the intriguing subject matter make "Michelangelo" a quintessential artifact of UK 1967. But unfortunately, "Michelangelo" and its flipside "Leave Me Alone" were the only songs released by the Liverpool group, so named because Liverpool was, in fact, the 23rd turn off from the M6 highway. This new CD from RPM Records, however, includes a heap of material recorded by the band and by its earlier incarnation, The Kirkbys, who released a single on RCA in 1966. The Dreams of Michelangelo traces the career of the group chronologically, featuring all the released material by The Kirkbys and The 23rd Turn Off combined with unreleased songs and demo material recorded along the way, including early versions of "Michelangelo". Including a booklet full of photos, notes, and interviews with the musicians, this CD is practically a work of art in itself.

7. The Penny Arkade
Not the Freeze

(Sundazed 2004)

Discovered by Mike Nesmith of The Monkees, The Penny Arkade was a group of Los Angeles hopefuls lead by songwriters Chris Ducey and Craig Smith, the latter having written "Salesman", which was released by The Monkees on their Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. album. Nesmith produced a number of recordings with the Arkade in 1967 and shopped the tapes around to record labels in the hopes of winning his protégés a record deal. Unfortunately, however, despite Nesmith's support, the band was unable to secure a contract, and the album's worth of material they recorded was left unreleased and unheard. But in characteristic Sundazed fashion, the complete recordings of The Penny Arkade have been unearthed and the band's story told in its entirety on this new CD. Not the Freeze features what would have become The Penny Arkade's album along with demos and other recordings from the original sessions. While the band's musical style is rooted in the same influences as many of their Southern California folk-rock contemporaries like The Byrds and The Buffalo Springfield, the Arkade's music remains original and inventive, benefiting sonically from Nesmith's inspired production. Not the Freeze features 23 tracks in all, as well as detailed liner notes tracing the band's interesting history by 60s historian Mike Stax.

8. The Feminine Complex
Livin' Love

(Athena 1969/Rev-Ola 2004)

Garage and psych fans have always been interested in that rare, but fascinating 60s phenomenon: the all-girl rock band. In an era strongly dominated by male rock groups, a girl band (which is much different from the vocal "girl group" of the early 60s) was definitely an anomaly. Most girl rock bands didn't achieve much visibility during the 60s, but interesting femme rockers like The Luv'd Ones, She, and The Ace of Cups have been discovered retroactively via CD reissues. The Feminine Complex were based in Nashville and received more attention than most girl bands, appearing on local television and releasing a full-length album, Livin' Love, in 1969. Though Livin' Love didn't make an impression when originally released, it's since become an envied collectors item, and it's easy to see why. A unique period piece composed entirely of original compositions, the album is nothing if not distinct. And finally, it's available on CD, thanks to the excellent Rev-Ola label in the UK. Far from a simple album reissue, however, this new CD includes numerous bonus tracks and excellent liners, including photographs and the interesting story of the band. Fans of 60s girl rock will definitely dig this one.

9. The Blues Magoos
Basic Blues Magoos

(Mercury 1968/Repertoire 2004)

The Blues Magoos are a group that most garage and psychedelic fans should be familiar with. Their "(We Ain't Got) Nothing Yet" made the US Top Five, and their first two albums, Psychedelic Lollipop and Electric Comic Book, both were big sellers. Less familiar, however, is their third album, Basic Blues Magoos. Released in 1968, after the hits had basically dried up, Basic Blues Magoos was the band's first album not to chart, which resulted in their being dropped by Mercury Records. Since the album was such a flop, it's gone largely unheard, which is a shame since it represents a sort of stylistic "branching out" for the band. Finally, the album is available on CD, from the German label Repertoire, which, incidentally, has released a number of interesting digipak reissues over the last year or two. While the tunes on Basic Blues Magoos might not be as immediately infectious as their early material, the album does include some great tracks, like the group's cover of The Move's UK hit "I Can Hear the Grass Grow", the pretty psychedelic ballad "Yellow Rose", and the excellent, slightly funky "Chicken Wire Lady". Including six bonus tracks taken from singles, this reissue is a long overdue treat.

10. Elephants Memory
(Self-Titled)

(Buddah 1969/Collectors' Choice 2004)

Elephants Memory worked with Carly Simon in their early days, had their music featured prominently in the groundbreaking film Midnight Cowboy, and were friends with The Beatles, even releasing an album on their Apple label. And yet, somehow, they still never achieved much success or recognition. This, their eponymous debut album, was released on the sometimes-eclectic Buddah Records in 1969. Elephants Memory is a proverbial melting pot of different styles, including hard rock, jazz, rhythm and blues, and psychedelic pop. And while the album is a mix to say the least, most of it comes off quite well. Highlights include the jazzy horn-blower "Don't Put Me on Trial No More", the mellow pop tune "Crossroads of the Stepping Stones", the slow groover "Super Heap", the singalong pop of "Band of Love", and the exotic, dreamy jazz-psych of "Old Man Willow", which was featured in the Warholesque party scene in Midnight Cowboy. Though this album was released on CD years ago, it's been out of print for some time. This new reissue from Collectors' Choice makes Elephants Memory widely available again and includes liner notes by pop historian Richie Unterberger. It's unusual, eclectic, and pretty enjoyable.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

11. The Robbs
(Self-Titled)

(Mercury 1967/Collectors' Choice 2004)

Originally hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, The Robbs were a family band that recorded some excellent original material from 1966-1970. They released their sole long player in 1967 on Mercury, and it's full of fine harmony folk rock tunes, including the excellent "Race with the Wind", which narrowly missed the Hot 100. Collectors' Choice gets high marks for recognizing the inherent value of a Robbs reissue, but definitely gets points deducted for a conspicuous lack of bonus tracks and for using the inferior mono mix of the album.

12. The Troll
Animated Music

(Smash 1969/Radioactive 2004)

Originally known as The Trolls, this Chicago band released a string of strong garage punk singles (including the small hit "Every Day and Every Night") before moving toward a heavier, trippier sound for their 1969 Smash album Animated Music. Different styles and moods meld on the album, but a consistent standard is maintained, with lots of effects and production tricks to keep interest. Animated Music is one of many new interesting releases on the Radioactive label, and has never been released on CD before.

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