JAN & DEAN/POPSICLE LRP 3458 (-66) US MONO

  US pop/rock duo formed 1958, consisting of William Jan Berry (1941-2004) and Dean Ormsby Torrence (1940-  ). After a debute playing mostly ordinary time typical pop and rock they converted to be a surf rock band in the early sixties and thus both collaborating and competing with The Beach Boys. I've seen differing theories about the two acts early connection - either it was they who inspired Beach Boys to go music surfing, or the other way around. In any case these guys almost always came out second to BB when it came to selling. However they managed five top ten singles on Billboard up to 1966, whereof one - "Surf City" - reached #1. The LP:s didn't do that well, highest charter was "Drag City" at #22. This was their last released album before the 1986 "Port To Paradise". Two more were recorded - "Save For A Rainy Day" 1966 and "Carnival Of Sound" 1968 - but were initially cancelled and not issued till much later. One of the explanations why they stopped at this point is in April 1966 William Jan Berry suffered severe head damages in a car accident and was in coma for two months, making it impossible to go on like before. But partly it can be explained by the music scene by then had started to drift towards more experimental stuff. Something Beach Boys and many others soon adapted to while Jan & Dean kept on like it was still early sixties and therefore became obsolete. This is mostly a classic surf album, very much reminding of early Beach Boys. It's happy relaxing listening with very few problems involved. Not one I listen closely too, but can have as a background when in need of some pepping up. Most interesting track to me is the "Norwegian Wood" cover with its angelic background vocals and prominent sitar parts. Good stuff. Originally released also in Canada, Downunder and a couple of South American countries. Japan 2018 CD on Oldays Records (ODR 6558) came with two bonus tracks. Premiere US (also as stereo LST 7458) had label as shown here in a laminated cover. (YZÄ*)  (ÖXCÅ*)