Pearls Before Swine is an American psychedelic/acid folk group led by singer-songwriter Tom Rapp, formed in 1965. They are noted for their early albums One Nation Underground and Balaklava and later recordings such as The Use of Ashes and City of Gold. Tom Rapp later pursued a legal career.

Formed in 1965; debut One Nation Underground was released on ESP-Disk; Balaklava is widely cited in reviews as a career highlight; Tom Rapp later practiced law. Reviews note chamber-folk arrangements, use of harpsichord/oboe/viola/marimba and occasional covers (eg. Leonard Cohen’s "Suzanne").

DeBaser reviews celebrate Pearls Before Swine as a distinct voice in 1960s psychedelic/acid folk, led by Tom Rapp. Critics highlight fragile, haunted melodies, chamber-folk arrangements and evocative lyrics. Key albums discussed are One Nation Underground, Balaklava, The Use of Ashes and City of Gold.

For:Fans of psychedelic/acid folk, chamber folk listeners, listeners of 1960s counterculture singer-songwriters

 In fact, more underground than this you die.

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 The first time I listened to "The Jeweller," I was stunned; the second time, I felt like a child; and the third time, I sang while butchering the words, partly because I didn't know the lyrics and partly because it felt like a magical spell.

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 The first four albums are bearers, in equal measure, of love and misfortune, like the Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

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 Pearls Before Swine formed in 1965, and there are many legends surrounding them (it is said that Rapp beat Bob Dylan in a poetry contest).

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