Back : Jim Lowe
Middle - left to right : 'Weasel' Spagnola; Preston Ritter; Ken Williams
Front : Mark Tulin
"The lyrics, the melody, and the rhythm find their way into the inward places of the soul on which they mightily fasten. Come forth, Electric Prunes, and move from the shallows and venture forth into the deep."
(Liner notes on the reverse cover of 'I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night' by Dave Hassinger)
Review by AMG
The Electric Prunes' self-titled debut (with "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)" and "Get Me to the World on Time" acting as a subtitle on the front sleeve, though not on the LP spine) was an interesting but way-erratic psychedelic album. The two aforementioned hits led off sides one and two respectively, and were easily the highlights of a set that boasted continuously imaginative production, but inconsistent songwriting. There were some tracks that proved the group were more than two-hit wonders. The group original "Train for Tomorrow," for instance, had the edgy melody and atmosphere typical of several Tucker-Mantz compositions of the time, unexpectedly ending with a jazz guitar coda; the nutty "Sold to the Highest Bidder" boasted a futuristic sped-up guitar that sounded like a berserk balalaika; and "Try Me on for Size" was a psych-punked-out Paul Revere & the Raiders. On the downside, there were some positively frightful quasi-psychedelic vaudevillian fairytale tunes; it is hard to believe the same songwriting team that gifted us with "Get Me to the World on Time" was also responsible for "Tunerville Trolley" and "About a Quarter to Nine." Part of the problem was that the group's identity was so subject to the material and production bestowed upon them by outside songwriter and producers, as the band themselves wrote only two of the tracks. There's about two-thirds of a good album here, though, chock-full of intriguing and sometimes wacky reverberation and guitar effects. -- Richie Unterberger, All-Music Guide
Songs
Side 1
1. I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night) (Tucker / Mantz) 2.55
2. Bangles (J. Walsh) 2.27
3. Onie (Tucker / Mantz) 2.43
4. Are You Lovin' Me More (But Enjoying It Less) (Tucker / Mantz) 2.21
5. Train For Tomorrow (Lowe / Tulin / Williams / Spagnola / Ritter) 3.00
6. Sold To The Highest Bidder (Tucker / Mantz) 2.16
Side 2
1. Get Me To The World On Time (Tucker / Jones) 2.30
2. About A Quarter To Nine (Dubin / Warren) 2.07
3. The King Is In The Counting House (Tucker / Mantz) 2.00
4. Luvin' (Lowe / Tulin) 2.03
5. Try Me On For Size (Tucker / Jones) 2.19
6. The Toonerville Trolley (Tucker / Mantz) 2.34
Personnel
James Lowe - Vocal, Rhythm Guitar, Autoharp and Tambourine (All vocal solos except 'Onie' and 'Are You Lovin' Me More')
Mark Tulin - Bass Guitar, Piano and Organ
Ken Williams - Lead Guitar
'Weasel' Spagnola - Rhythm Guitar and Vocals (Solos : 'Onie' and 'Are You Lovin' Me More')
Preston Ritter - Drums and Percussion
Produced by : Dave Hassinger
Arranged by : The Electric Prunes
Recorded at : American Recording Company, Power House, No. Hollywood, California
Chief Electrical Engineer : Richie Podolor
Assistant Electrician : Bill Cooper
Initial Spark : Barbara Harris
Cover Photo : Jane McCowan Asc., Inc.
Painting : Stan Leong
Art Direction : Ed Thrasher
String and Brass Arrangements : Perry Botkin, Jr.
