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The Leka/Pinz songs are the "bubblegum" part of the collection, and while the lyrics on some of those are juvenile, the music is always enjoyable. Good lightweight orchestral pop with many instruments, along with the band's own guitars, keyboards and drums. Sitar, horns, harpsichord, and violin, are some of the other instruments added, that make this music more creative than typical "bubblegum." These atmospheric songs are best appreciated with headphones or careful listening. The group originals are rather good, "Wine and Violet" is an obscure gem of the psychedelic era with demented lyrics and backwards guitar, along with an echoed flute. The closing near 12-minute track shows a progressive side to this under-appreciated band. Any fan of psychedelic music should get this. Because the sound quality is top of the line, this is the best compilation for the band, even though it is missing a few good tracks. Check the page for more information, and my ratings of their songs."
Psychedelic bubblegum
James M. Meehan | somerville, ma United States | 12/30/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"while not the hitmakers the Ohio Express & the 1910 Fruitgum Co. were, they had the best song of the bunch with Green Tambourine. also great were jelly Jungle (Of Orange Marmalade), Rice Is Nice and Blueberry Blue. they certainly could have included the single version of Green Tambouine which has a more bassy mix and less echo. four stars is being generous."
Best Lemon Pipers reissue
Zub | Forks Twp., PA | 04/08/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The resurrected and reformed Buddah label (as Buddha) has issued compilations of the original Buddah/Kama Sutra bubblegum-era artists. This is one of the series. Lemon Pipers stuff has appeared on previous greatest-hits and various compilations but this is the best to date. The entire compilation is in true stereo including stereo versions of the three top-100 charted singles. The sound quality is superior to anything encountered so far. If you're looking for this group's material, this is the best quality piece to buy."
3 Degrees of Separation...
Funboy3 | Phoenix AZ | 06/27/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Rather than offering a critique of the album, I'd like to point out some interesting connections to this band:
1. The group Steam, who sang "Na Na, Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)" held in its membership one Paul Leka, who was part of The Lemon Pipers.
2. The group The Peppermint Rainbow, who sang "Will You Be Staying After Sunday" and "Don't Wake Me Up in the Morning, Michael", also includes Paul Leka. And they even included a near-identical cover of "Green Tambourine" on their album.
So, if you want to get a really interesting snapshot of the evolution (or perhaps lack thereof, should you decide such) of a group of musicians, listen to the recordings of all three groups."