Search - Cowsills :: Cowsills

The Cowsills arrived with their first MGM album in 1967.

02/15/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The 1967 album that showcases the Cowsills' first great 45, "The Rain, the Park and other Things," offers a winsome trip back to the greatest year of 60s pop music. While "Rain" is the outstanding track on this album, several others will interest fans of their sound (which features some of the brightest harmonies of the 60s). Here it's all the boys (later on the "Mini-Mom" Barbara and her daughter Susan got in on it). Highlights of this album include "Dreams of Linda" and "La Rue du Soleil," about an attraction to a jeune fille in a Paris street cafe that ends disappointingly (it has a charming accordion background). Fans of Hendrix and Joplin will find this material bland (Hendrix trashed the Beach Boys too), but those who retain some 60s innocence will get into it. I reheard all my Cowsills albums last month, and in replaying this one I was pleasantly surprised by side 2, which I hadn't listened to closely. Razor & Tie did us a favor issuing it -- I just wish some other Cowsills albums, like Captain Sad and His Ship of Fools (1968) and II X II (1971), could get onto CD. The Cowsills' bright sound suffers badly on scratched vinyl. R&T has done a solid job remastering this one. Recommended, especially to those who like their hits and want to hear more."

Cowsills Fans Only

06/21/1998

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Though it contains their breakthrough hit ("The Rain, The Park, and Other Things") and the elusive theme from "Love American Style," only diehard fans of the family should pick this up, as most of the songs are not up to the quality of later hits. Good sound and interesting liner notes."