The Mamas & the Papas - If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears

As they developed and incorporated more of their own social lives into their music, the Mamas and the Papas became the model for other dysfunctionally self-involved groups like Fleetwood Mac. But none of that is evident on their 1966 debut, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears; rather, it's the quartet's dreamy vocal interaction that is the highlight here. "California Dreamin'" is a touching honeymoon of a song; and its follow-up, "Monday Monday," is much the same--though it comes this close to overwhelming sappiness. "Spanish Harlem," "In Crowd," and Mama Cass Elliott's lead on the Beatles' "I Call Your Name" are just as enjoyable. Though the accompanying music on this album was not the focus, it's every bit as strong as the vocal arrangements, with Larry Knetchel, Joe Osborne, and Hal Blaine handling the chores here. --Randy Silver Amazon.com

If You Were Around

If you were around during the sixties, this is an important album/CD to have. On a comparative basis, the Mamas and Papas were not the most inventive or talented of the top bands back in those days,they had several super hits that really became benchmark identity songs of the era, California Dreamin being the biggest. If you were a kid back in those days these tunes seem to be very important and give you a feeling that transports you to those better times. You can feel the sixties in the air when this music is played. When I hear this album, I think of the summer of love, the culture change that occured, Gene Clark having "the affair" with Michelle which served to create "I Saw Her Again Last Night", and of course the smell of incense and weed burning. This album is a time machine. Personally, I feel the cover on the original album is worth the price of the trip. April 24, 2008

OUTSTANDING!

I had this "album" as a teenager (40+ years ago) and I LOVED it. I just logged in to Amazon to check out the 60's CDs and found this one by the Mama's and Papa's. I HAVE to have it! March 6, 2008

somewhat dated, great popular music

It's very much of its time, I suppose. "Sunshine pop" is the name it's been given, and some of the subject matter could sound naive now and for anyone in the over-17 crowd, but it's so breezy and the melodies are so infectious that it makes for good listening much longer than one expects on the first rotation. It's very unique as a period piece, but more than just "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday" hold up long after the fact. March 5, 2008

words and music

The Mamas & The Papas turned out this excellent debut album in early 1966; and the music was way above par from the start. This album almost instantly shot to the top of the charts and even today, all these years later, it's easy to understand why.

The album offers beautiful music; but of course there are some songs that particularly impress me. "Monday, Monday" is a stream of consciousness song with great singing, harmonizing and percussion. Awesome! "Straight Shooter" is a strong ballad with harmonizing and a terrific beat that feels like a blend of folk rock and mainstream rock. Moreover, listen for "I Call Your Name;" The Mamas & The Papas handle this tune by members of The Beatles and press their own stamp on it with an excellent interpretation of this ballad.

"Do You Wanna Dance" gets a much slower tempo than usual to infuse this number with a folk rock flavor. Of course, "California Dreamin'" was one of their greatest hits ever; this number inspired many young people to flock to California in search of inner peace, love and a better quality of life. "California Dreamin'" is performed flawlessly by this group and it will always be a fixture in the world of music.

"Spanish Harlem" also gets a folk rock treatment which works rather well, actually. Denny sings this very well. Michelle and Cass do great harmonizing on the backup vocals and I think you will enjoy "Spanish Harlem" very much.

The album ends with "The `In' Crowd;" Cass sings this one a bit more forcefully than she could when she had to reign herself in to avoid obscuring Michelle's "thin" voice. Cass could really belt `em out; and on this final track we see some of that rather easily.

The Mamas & The Papas didn't stay together all that long; but whatever they did produce was more than enough to make them a solid fixture in the world of great music. I highly recommend this album for people who like folk rock mixed with mainstream rock from the `60s.
December 26, 2007

I'M A BELIEVER !!!

To me, great debut albums are few and far between. These days, there's just too much hype made about this group and that group; and, even if they are good, so much media overkill and overplay gets done that you're sick of hearing about someone before they've really had a chance? "IF YOU CAN BELIEVE YOUR EYES AND EARS" is one of those great debut albums--almost a "sleeper," if you will--that can't be beat! From start to finish, you want to hear more; and usually do wind up playing it a second (and maybe even a third) time around before walking away and saying, "Wow," to yourself over and over again. I can only compare that to, say, the first Beatles album (take your pick between the first UK or US release), Boston's debut LP, Skynyrd's "PRONOUNCED," or (another "sleeper") "LISTEN UP... IT'S THE ECHOES"--the latter, in some ways, reminding me of The Mamas & The Papas magic and honesty? This group's definitely earned itself a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I only wish there were more like them! August 15, 2006

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