Search - Small Faces :: Ogden's Nut Gone Flake

Barely qualifying as a "concept" album, the second half of this album tells the story of Happiness Stan, a young man who sees the moon turn from full to half and decides he needs to find the missing part. It's a rather odd tale that's adorned with lush, psychedelic arrangements. The spoken narrative that links each song (provided by one Stanley Unwin in barely decipherable Clockwork Orange-style English) contributes to the yarn's surrealistic atmosphere. The real gems on this recording, however, are the six songs that make up the record's first half. From the sludgy, acid-jazz feel of the title track straight through to the comic plea for peace, love, and understanding ("Lazy Sunday," a song that opens with the universal sentiment "Wouldn't it be nice to get on with me neighbors..."), the real concept at work here is based on unforgettable songwriting. --Percy Keegan