California

The Electric Prunes | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 25, 2004)
• Original Release Date: May 25, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: PruneTwang
• ASIN: B0002A59K4
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,591 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. SideShow Charade

2. 49 Songs

3. I Never Knew What You Wanted

4. Makin' Some Noise

5. Pacific Ocean Blue

6. I'll Drag You Home

7. Rosy Made Me Crazy

8. Transient Absolution

9. Tidal Wave

10. Rewired

11. Running With Scissors

12. The Rickenbacker 12 String

13. Cinema Verite

Editorial Reviews

Creem Magazine, June 2004

This album marks the return of these Original Artyfacts From The First Psychedelic Era, buzzed, fuzzed and bending more minds.

Product Description

The Electric Prunes have always been a California band. Screaming out of the late 60's their pulsating music captured the hope and angst of a drifting generation. Well the drifting is back, and so are the Electric Prunes! Perhaps to the rescue!

From the minute you "come flying", as the lyric suggests on the introduction, this seminal band delivers the goods. 13 surprising new flame-laden psych tracks melt your speakers with "Prune" trademark fuzz, twang, tremolo and mayhem. For those that thought the 60's were over.....hang onto your wah wah!

Not some rehash or recreation of a time past, this is the real thing played as only the "real people" can play it. The "California" of the 60's is found at the end of some gloriously simple songs, memorable riffs and a sense that each track is actually taking place in some cosmic vortex of a past time. This record sounds just like 1967!

Legendary Moby Grapeist Peter Lewis joins the band for some vintage 60's guitar work on "Rickenbacker 12 String", an ode to that very special "California made" 12 string guitar.

California mixes some cool Rudi Protrudi abstract guitar artwork on the cover, with a range of images from a touring musician losing his pants in France (49 SONGS), to a guy that can't leave his flipped out girlfriend because he just tattooed her name on his bum (Rosy made me crazy). Face it, all pertinent topics.

"California" is Escapist Surfing, the Hollywood Movie Business, Famous Friends, even an ass kicking Tidal Wave. This CD leaves no doubt in what is left of anyone's mind that the Electric Prunes were, and are, anchors for a drifting generation. Man the lifeboats!

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Like They never Left!, August 26, 2004

By 

Mark Cloud "Musician" (Murrieta, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: California (Audio CD)

Often, when bands get back together after many years apart, they find that the old magic somehow eludes them. They become little more than a sad nostalgia-fest. But not so the Prunes! With the "California" CD, they somehow take that old 60s/psychedelic/punk/surf thing they did so well and bring it into the 21st century. It really is like they never split up in the first place!

Honestly, there is not a weak cut on this record. But, that said, I do, of course, have my favorites: "Slideshow Charade" with its bizzare harmonies effectively sets the 60s-never-ended-and-they're-still-great tone; "Pacific Ocean Blue" is a delightful paean to the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson, with an intriguing musical/melodic structure; "Rewired" (great pun) is terrific riff rock; "Tidal Wave" with its infectuous melody and guitar hooks simply demands radio play (programmers please take note). It's all here: the distorted stratocasters; wammy bars; tremolo; engaging, flowery lyrics; and plain old---if I may use the phrase---innocent fun.

The Electric Prunes have pulled off the nearly impossible: they have managed to preserve and update their sound to make it even better and more original than the music they first made together all those years ago.

If you happen to run into them somewhere, please give them a hearty thanks and handshake for me.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Electrifying!, May 30, 2004

By 

D. Greenfield "sid_presley" (daly city, ca United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: California (Audio CD)

The Electric Prunes were among the few truly innovative bands from the 60's garage and psychedelic eras. Their music sounds like no others, and it comes as no surprise to hear a new record full of surprises.

The Prunes play with wisdom and experience, with a deeply youthful attitude. To me, that's the difference...They honor their glory days, yet they don't appear to be trapped in time. Maturity has served them well, and it's allowed them to create an interesting, inspired album that contains a surprise around every corner.

ROSY MADE ME CRAZY is my current favorite.

Expect the unexpected on this recording.

Just remember...This ain't no revival act. This is rock and roll at it finest.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Electric Prunes still shines!!!!!!, May 26, 2004

By 

Stefan Asplund "music lover" (Stockholm/Sweden) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: California (Audio CD)

If you like the Prunes this is a MUST in your collection. The whole cd floats like ocean waves. The music is so fantasic, the songs are amazing. The song "I never knew what you wanted" is worth the price alone................A true classic, just like their 3 first albums!!!!!