Love - Forever Changes

One of rock's most overlooked masterpieces, this third album by the L.A. folk-rock outfit led by inscrutable singer-songwriter Arthur Lee sounds as fresh and innovative today as it did upon its original release in 1968. With David Angel's atmospheric string and horn arrangements giving the work a conceptual underpinning, Lee explores mainstream America's penchant for paranoia ("The Red Telephone") and violence ("A House Is Not a Motel") with songs that are as sonically subtle and lilting as they are lyrically blunt and harrowing. Add two gems by Love's secret weapon, second guitarist Bryan MacLean ("Alone Again Or" and "Old Man"), and you've got one of the truly perfect albums in rock history. Rhino's deluxe reissue serves up seven bonus tracks, including outtakes, alternates, and the "Your Mind and We Belong Together"/"Laughing Stock" single. --Billy Altman Amazon.com

Strange music

Some people (well, not too many I suppose) have put this album down because of its lack of memorable songs. I can understand that, the songs here don't hold up on their own as classics. But this album isn't about creating a bunch of sing-along tunes. It has to be regarded as a whole to be fully appreciated. FOREVER CHANGES is about creating something (at least back then) unheard of. The songs are often mystical and a bit weird, both in terms of music and lyrics. And the arrangements are sometimes peculiar but in an interesting way.
If you want some easy-listening, then forget this. But if you want something really original that works on other levels than great hooks, then chances are you're going to enjoy this. At least I do. November 12, 2008

2nd thoughts

Many of the negitive reviews seem to focus on what a waste of money they spent. And warn others not to fall victum of the same mistake.
Well here's what, this is such a great album that I'll send anyone the money to buy it, if that's the only issue.

Howdy, Russ.
November 6, 2008

Interesting, but overrated

This is certainly one of the more creative efforts to emerge from the late '60s scene, blending a variety folk, psychedelic and pop styles. Yet the disc simply doesn't live up to the lavish praise critics have heaped on it since its reissue. There are too few hooks, and the production sounds both slick for its time and outdated for this time. Witness the Herb Alpert-style horns and the kind of string arrangements that turned people off of The Doors' "Soft Parade." If you're looking for a forgotten masterpiece from this era, you're better off searching out Quicksilver Messenger Service or Moby Grape. October 26, 2008

Redefines the meaning of five stars

"Oh, the snot has caked against my pants/It has turned into crystal."

That's how 'Live And Let Live' begins, and it is easy to see why this was Jim Morrison's favorite band. Acoustic guitars everywhere and beautiful harmonies The Beatles would love, and I could not recommend this anymore.

I have listened to "Pet Sounds" and while I tolerated it I didn't see what all the big deal was, but this...My introduction to Love was the song 'Always See Your Face' in the movie "High Fidelity" and instantly I had to know what it was. I listened to the song quite a few times, but this album is even better. After "Alone Again Or" I was hooked. While this album could easily be a soundtrack to a great music film never made, the closer 'You Set The Scene' plays like a film on its own.

"There's a private in my boat and he wears
Pins instead of medals on his coat
There's a chicken in my nest and she won't
Lay until I've given her my best"

Does it really mean anything? I don't know, but I like it. And I think you will too.

July 31, 2008

Neglected Classic

No album, even Sergeant Pepper's, captures the ambience of the 1960's for me like this one. A bittersweet collection of often tender, Spanish-influenced melodies with a folk psychelic flavor and some sad racial overtones--Arthur Lee, like Jimi Hendrix, was an avant-garde Black artist doing rock at a time when music was segregated and his place uncertain and lonely. A truly great recording. June 25, 2008

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