Classic Rock Album of the Day- Iron Butterfly- In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968) * 1/2
Earlier today, I mentioned that the Doug Ingle, the last member of Iron butterly passed away. Ingle was that one member was 98% of the talent center of the band. I want to be totally respectful to the band and its fans, but from my taste, they just weren't that good. At least good past one infamous song.
But, and this is a huge one, what this band lacked in proving good music was one major contribution that can not be overlooked. Side 2 of this album can make a significant claim that is was the first true hard rock song on an album in history. The Title Song was more than ground breaking, it brought meter fuzz, distort and structure that not even Hendrix was providing at the exact same time. Of course, Iron butterfly for all practical purposes was a band steeped and focused in psychedelia. But that side (2) was an innovative approach that 100's of bands would later take, but do it so much better.
And on another innovation, and also a new approach they would take.... In-a-gadda-divida took up an entire side of an album in length. Personally, I tought is was bit too much on the self indulgence, but with this song, it's like a lightning bolt struck, and provided this band one moment of glory, and by god, they rode and milked this number for the rest of their brief and medicore career. Even with the epic length,I always thought the song was 10 minutes too long.
3rd point of innovation was (I might be wrong?) that this was one of the very first rock songs to incorporate a lengthy solos. Drums, organ, etc. And I would be amiss not to say that this band was devoid of talent. Ingle did a decent job of finely working his psychedelia laden organ into the product. I remember some of the hippy's in the day, feeling that Iron Butterfly was a cultural phenomenon, basically marrying psychedelia to hard rock. I think in some ways they were right.
Iron Butterfly floundered after this one, but in their defense that this a Quad platinum album in 1968, is pretty impressive. Sadly, they lingered for 4 more, and all were patheric.
Fun Fact: Venture a guess how many people can say they were a member of this band- 65... Yep, 65, and I'd say 90% were familar with the Green Signs of Holiday Inn bars.
Side 1-
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All psychedelia improv filler,and 3rd rate Doors impressions. I applaud the lack of hook,if the music has other redeeming qualities.
Side 2-
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In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida -17 minutes of what I pretty much covered in body of review, There is no arguing that this song is historic in genre creation/amending. I always thought it was bizarre that this song, that is so good shines way above anything else they produced. It's a great song, and worth the visit. Even to this day, you wlll occasionally catch the radio version of this on classic rock rotation. And deservingly so.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAT4nIg00t0
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