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Open Your Mind To The Open Mind

Jack B. Nimble | East Coast | 01/07/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A lot of people get on these guys for sounding similar to early WHO with the vocals in some songs reminding one of Daltry (like in "I Feel The Same Way Too", "My Mind Cries" & "Thor The Thunder God"), but there are a lot of great ideas and melodies scattered throughout the album. "Scattered" being an appropriate word. There will be a truly great part and then they go into something that does not really fit leaving you wondering, why did they go there? I really enjoy this album though and have listened to it numerous times. The distinct vocals and two part harmonies are very good. Classic guitar tone with some awesome overdrive giving it a unique sound similar to fuzz, although the guitarist's leads leave much to be desired as the solos are simplistic. "Dear Louise" is a catchy number with a driving drum beat/bass part and nice rocking guitar riffs. "I Feel The Same Way Too" in my opinion is the best song on the original album and is an excellent example of British psychedelia with some great riffs. "Magic Potion" is a great tune that took me by surprise. It is quite heavy for the time, possibly and sonically being one of the first "heavy metal" songs, before the term was even conceived as a style of music, complete with double bass and distorted power chords that was more prominent in the 70's. The sound production and playing is tight and the sound quality on this reissue is excellent. Rare as hens teeth, original 69' UK pressings on Philips go for $800+ depending on condition. I saw a near mint copy fetch around $1500. All in all it's a good album. It's just a little inconsistent in the song writing dept., but it rocks! Through Time & Space Thor's Hammer Flies......"

Top drawer British psych 1969

Kevin D. Rathert | Carbondale, IL | 11/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sunbeam Records has once again outdone itself. Rather than issue perhaps the greatest British psych album of all time as a straight up reissue of the lp, they have added both sides of the band's lone single, "Magic Potion" c/w "Cast A Spell," and as an extra added attraction, the sole single by the band in its earlier incarnation using the moniker The Drag Sect, "Day and Night" c/w "Get Out Of My Way." The 16 tracks 15 of which were written or cowritten by lead guitarist Mike Brancaccio are all strong guitar led psych the way only the Brits could play it. The playing on the songs is incredible, with Brancaccio aided by vocalist/rhythm guitarist, Terry Martin, bassist/pisnist Tim de Feu, and drummer Philip Fox. From the opening notes of "Dear Louise" the listener is transported to London 1969, and treated to an album that with any label support would have put The Open Mind on the charts and in the hearts of psych lovers everywhere. Unfortunately neither the album nor the single were given financial or promotional backing and like so many other classic albums of the time quickly disappeared into obscurity, except in the hearts and ears of the most devoted British fans. The recordings were given absolutely no support whatsoever in the US. However, as is the case with many albums of the time, The Open Mind's eponymous album was always rated among the top among collectors of late 1960s psych. And now thanks to UK reissue specialists, Sunbeam Records, the complete released works of The Open Mind are available to psych fans all over the world. The album is full of heavy fuzz guitar by Mike Brancaccio, crdited on the album as merely Mike Bran, and the songwriting is strong throughout, with nary a toss off. God bless Sunbeam for their consistently strong reissues. The cd, formerly available only from German reissue label, Second Battle, not only includes the additional Drag Sect single sides, but is accompanied by a detailed 12 page color booklet, with detailed liner notes and many previously unavailable photos. Pick up this gem before it goes out of print again, or you will be sorely sorry as it belongs in the collections of all fans of guitar driven psych rock. And if you check out Amazon drop shippers the cd is available at a bargain price. Thanks to Sunbeam Records for releasing yet another absolutely essential psych classic."