Favorite “Unhip” Albums From 1967

[@WayneScank]

Ode to ... Is a tune I never tire of

[@total.stranger]

Each of your choices qualified for "unhip" status, back in ancient times. There may even have been another, lower, sub-strata of unhipness in bands like "Every Mother's Son" ("Come On Down To My Boat, Baby" - summer 1967) and a few other forgotten outfits - but during that time period, after their first flush of American fame, The Kinks were as unhip as they could be, compared with the BIG NAMES of the day, and finding other Kink fans, besides myself, was like finding that old, proverbial "needle in a haystack": it was rare and frustrating. This is another example of your interesting and intriguing "angles" on discovering and exploring the music that affected so many of our lives. Good job, CF. Thank you.

[@petercena9497]

The Zombies "Odessey and Oracle " was considered outdated in 1969,which is why it charted so low in spite of having a huge hit with Time of the Season.

[@total.stranger]

@@petercena9497Agree - and The Zombies had already split up by the time that "Time Of The Season" became a huge US hit. They're a great British band, and I've seen them (as the 'reconstituted' Zombies, as a solo Colin Blunstone, and as Argent) many times, over the years.

[@Brunoburningbright]

Madly in love with Bobbie Gentry as an adolescent back in the day. Loved that husky voice. She did excellent duets with that other uncool artist, Glen Campbell.

[@senatorjimdracula1603]

I really enjoy The Cowsills first album.... and Headquarters is anything but "unhip"! I've loved that record since I stole it from my mom's records around 1970 LOL!

[@keefer-k8266]

Another interesting topic, Tom. Herman's Hermits, Petulia Clark, Tom Jones -- great picks. I saw Tom Jones perform live (along with Van Morrison) at the Hollywood Bowl in 2016. I was stunned how well his voice had aged -- sounded even better than it did in the 60s. Unhip albums from 67 is a tough one for me (unlike 1968 which had amazing debut albums from three of my favorite musical "un-hipsters": Wild Man Fischer, Tiny Tim, and the incomparable William Shatner), but here's my contribution to the conversation -- Harpers Bizarre: Feelin' Groovy, Jay & the Techniques: Apple, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie; The Turtles: Happy Together; Scott McKenzie: The Voice of Scott McKenzie; and Tom Jones's rival, Engelbert Humperdinck: The Last Waltz.

[@petercena9497]

Insight Out - The Association Great album Bee Gees 1st - A must for any collection. I need to listen to the Brenton Wood album since "Gimme Some Sign" was one of the years best songs.

[@bacarandii]

Good call comparing the 5th Dimension to Mamas & the Papas. That was definitely the upbeat, melodic vibe that came through in 1967. I was only 10 years old, but I remember how joyous pop music felt at the time, and how dramatically the national mood seemed to harshen and sour in 1968 -- Nixon's election, shattering political assassinations, and so on -- and the music got darker, too. By the time the Dimension topped the charts with "Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In" from "Hair" in 1969, there was an undercurrent of darkness running through Top 40 pop...

[@deadfdr]

Good job! Chris Montez!!

[@pauldaniels2019]

Headquarters is the first Monkees album (probably the only) where they played their own instruments.

[@casablanca2745]

Would add Lulu and Dionne Warwick who both uncorked some timeless tracks in 67

[@if6was929]

John Phillips wrote If You're Going To San Francisco.

[@jameshunter3177]

Alternate title was no. 1 in the UK.

[@syater]

Have you seen the video of CSNY & Jones performing Long Time Gone here on KZbin? Or did I just dream that? Love Brenton Wood. I have his other 1967 album 'Oogum Boogum.' I suspect you may have both albums. They have different playlists, but 'Gimme Little Sign' appears on both. 'Neon' is a fun album. 'Randy Scouse Git' had a name change in the UK, for fear of offending. I believe Petula Clark had French hits before she had English.

[@syater]

Amendment: Clark had concurrent hits in both languages going back to the mid 1950s. -- RIP Phil Lesh.

[@wayne7177]

Carl Wilson could sing, man!

[@buzzsmith8146]

It's hard to explain the mysterious style and magic of "Ode To Billie Joe".

[@WayneScank]

I like the mysterious atmosphere. It draws me in.

[@seed_drill7135]

The Circle unhip? Their 3rd album was the soundtrack to an X-rated movie! (The Minx).

[@WayneScank]

Up + up & away overplayed. At times I think some LA music was too smooth, polished. Ugh: No Milk Today. Freakin' repetitive. Yeah for P Clark. Not everyone was into Nico/V Underground.