''Underground'' is the second studio

album An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early 20th century as individual 78 rpm records co ...

by the American garage rock band,

The Electric Prunes The Electric Prunes are an American psychedelic rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1965. Much of the band's music was, as music historian Richie Unterberger described it, possessed of "an eerie and sometimes anguished ambiance." Th ...

, and was released in 1967 on Reprise Records. It would be the final album of any materialized input by band members until the 1969 "New Improved" Electric Prunes were formed. The album was a moderate chart hit, but, without a hit-ready single, the band could not repeat their past success. In 2011, it was included in '' NME's'' "The 100 Greatest Albums You've Never Heard" list, chosen by Andrew VanWyngarden of MGMT.

Background

The album, ''Underground'', brought changes to the band once recording began. Limited lyrical input plagued the band's creative process on their debut. Only one track, composed by Mark Tulin and James Lowe, called "Lovin'" was included on their first album. This changed with this album because Dave Hassinger, the group's producer, was not as active in the sessions resulting in nine of the 12 tracks becoming the band's own material. With so much more musical freedom, the band could mold their music into their own image. The final products were a more direct and cohesive set of songs that reflected the band's own design. The band continued in their utilization of distorted sound effects, fuzz-toned guitar instrumentals, and experimented with a Vox organ. Regarding the playing of the organ Lowe said, "they brought a prototype in, and took it back after they heard what we did with it." Near the end of recording, however, two band members left.

Preston Ritter Preston James Ritter (April 24, 1949 – March 30, 2015) was an American drummer, drum teacher and author of drum methods. He joined The Electric Prunes in 1966, and played on their debut studio album, ''The Electric Prunes'', and two hit singl ...

's departure stemmed from musical differences, and James Spagnola left due to medical issues. Their replacements were original drummer Michael Fortune and new member Mike Gannon. As a result of being brought in late, Fortune appeared on five tracks and only two included Gannon. Gannon also is featured on the non-album single "Everybody Knows You're Not in Love". ''Underground'' was released in August 1967 and became a moderate success, charting at number 172 nationally. Without a hit single, the album could not reach more popularity. This lineup consisting of Tulin, Lowe, Williams, Fortune, and Gannon would tour to promote the album. They played across the United States in prestigious venues like ''The Crystal Ballroom'' in Portland, and were the only lineup, until the reformation 30 years later, to tour Europe. A live album called ''Stockholm '67'' was recorded material from a concert on this tour that was released 30 years later.

Track listing

;Side one # "The Great Banana Hoax" ( James Lowe, Mark Tulin) – 4:09 # "Children of Rain" (Goodie Williams, Ken Williams) – 2:37 # "Wind-Up Toys" (Lowe, Tulin) – 2:26 # "Antique Doll" (Nancy Mantz, Annette Tucker) – 3:13 # "It's Not Fair" (Lowe, Tulin) – 2:04 # "I Happen to Love You" ( Gerry Goffin, Carole King) – 3:15 ;Side two # "Dr. Do-Good" (Mantz, Tucker) – 2:26 # "I" (Mantz, Tucker) – 5:14 # "Hideaway" (Lowe, Tulin) – 2:42 # "Big City" (Johnny Walsh, Dan Walsh) – 2:46 # "Captain Glory" (Lowe) – 2:14 # "Long Day's Flight" (Michael "Quint" Weakley, Don Yorty) – 3:12

CD bonus tracks

# "Everybody Knows You're Not in Love" (Lowe, Tulin) – 3:05 # "You've Never Had It Better" (Steve Poncher, R. Schwartz, P. Snagster) – 2:07

Personnel

Musicians

* James Lowe –

vocals Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or withou ...

, autoharp, harmonica * Ken Williams –

lead guitar Lead guitar (also known as solo guitar) is a musical part for a guitar in which the guitarist plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs and chords within a song structure. The lead is the featu ...

, effects * James "Weasel" Spagnola – rhythm guitar, vocals (tracks 2-11, 13) * Mike Gannon (uncredited) – rhythm guitar (tracks 1, 12, 14) * Mark Tulin – bass, organ,

piano The piano is a stringed keyboard instrument in which the strings are struck by wooden hammers that are coated with a softer material (modern hammers are covered with dense wool felt; some early pianos used leather). It is played using a keybo ...

* Michael "Quint" Weakley – drums (tracks 2, 4, 8, 11-12) * Preston Ritter (uncredited) – drums (tracks 1, 3, 5-7, 9-10)

Technical

* Dave Hassinger – producer, liner notes * Richie Podolor –

engineer Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who invent, design, analyze, build and test machines, complex systems, structures, gadgets and materials to fulfill functional objectives and requirements while considering the limit ...

* Bill Cooper – engineer *

Ed Thrasher Edward Lee Thrasher Jr. (March 7, 1932 – August 5, 2006), known as Ed Thrasher, was an American art director and photographer. He was the recipient of numerous Grammy Award nominations for his work on album covers and won a Grammy for Best Album ...

– art director * Tom Tucker –

photography Photography is the art, application, and practice of creating durable images by recording light, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. It is employe ...

Covers

The track "Wind-Up Toys" was recorded as a demo by the psychedelic rock band Opal Butterfly in 1968. It has been included in psychedelic rock compilations including ''Psychedelic Schlemiels''.

Charts

Billboard 200 The ''Billboard'' 200 is a record chart ranking the 200 most popular music albums and EPs in the United States. It is published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine and is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of ar ...

(1967) - No. 172

References

{{Authority control The Electric Prunes albums 1967 albums Reprise Records albums Albums produced by David Hassinger