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Rating:
Yes, old Lester, you convinced me. I searched for them, I found your Count Five. And I have to say I'm enjoying them, just as you did many years ago. I even discovered yet another side of your fascinating twisted mind, your 'invention' of other albums attributed to this band. And that's why I love you, Leslie, because the more I get to know you, the more I get to know myself, because I find you everywhere, because I increasingly admire your way of being, of existing. You were right, damn it, a great band.
Dirty, raw, yet very catchy at the same time, these Count Five are really cool. You know, listening to them reminds me of your dear friend Lou, who came very close with his Transformer. What power, dirty energy, a voice rooted in the head, a slightly distant but ringing bass, crunch guitars... Surprise, surprise, here comes 'My Generation', which comes across really well. The next "She's fine" sounds like a Beatles track, very similar harmonizations, even the voice has similarities. The tilt track is very charming, but then again so is the rest. The little panning tricks are noteworthy, listening on headphones literally makes your head spin! "They're gonna get you", amazing falsettos, what strength. A great oddity, the fade-outs at the end of the tracks... Very unnatural, as if someone just turned down the volume... just because they're fed up. And without any precise progression, without a smooth fade. Just like that. Down it goes, and that's it. "Teeny Booper" sounds like it was recorded with a tape recorder in a rehearsal room given how raw and saturated it is, yet it's still a great track. "Contrast" on the other hand isn't worth anything, doesn't tell me a damn thing. Even the last tracks are nice, but all in all, nothing special.
Overall, however, it's a great product, perhaps not very refined, not much appreciated, but strong, really strong. You were right, Lester, you had caught them. It had been a while since I'd found such a nice little band that grabbed me like this.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
04 Psychotic Reaction (03:08)
I feel depressed, I feel so bad
'Cause you're the best girl that I've ever had
I can't get your love, I can't get a fraction
Oh, little girl, psychotic reaction
And it feels like this!
I feel so lonely night and day
I can't get your love, I must stay away
Well, I need you, girl, by my side
Oh, little girl, would you like to take a ride now?
I can't get your love, I can't get satisfaction
Oh, little girl, psychotic reaction
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Other reviews
By psichoprog
This is, in summary, the meteor that sparked the psychedelic light of the entire 1967.
The entire album and especially the leading single that gives it its title (PSYCHOTIC REACTION) is a great example of psycho beat.
By Borrito
It is not the mastery and knowledge of the instruments that make this group great... but the simplicity of execution and the freshness of intent.
It’s thanks to albums like this that all doors were smashed open, and these youngsters deserve credit for the great leap towards the new that was arriving!
