ERIC BURDON AND THE ANIMALS/THE TWAIN SHALL MEET C-8074 (-68) UK MONO

Not counting "Eric Is Here" this was the second LP under the new name and setting. As with "Winds Of Change" it's Eric Burdon exploring the contemporary American youth scene. "Monterey" is a tribute to the 1967 festival, "Sky Pilot" an anti-war statement and "Closer To The Truth" deals with pollution and destruction of the rainforest (way before Sting or Bono got the idea). Other songs are introspective and self-indulgent, probably related to acid experience. The longest track - "All Is One" - mixes bag-pipes and sitars to an orchestral background with lyrics inspired by Indian philosophy. All together it's a good psych album - melodic and experimental with some odd twists and turns. Produced by Tom Wilson, who at that time handeled both Mothers Of Invention and Velvet Underground. Favorite tracks "Just The Thought" and "Orange And Red Beams". Premiere US on MGM (E/SE 4537). I'm not 100% sure this is a separate mono mix, but it sounds very nice - clear and well balanced. First UK on yellow label as shown here and laminated flip/back cover. (ÄNÄ*)