Fever Tree. 1968 USA-Texas

This was a fun pickup for me. I first heard Houston's Fever Tree on the radio going back to the early 80s. I was intrigued but never really pursued them. In the latter part of the decade, as I was deep diving into progressive rock waters, I finally had a chance to hear the album. As usual with psychedelic records, my ears at the time just weren't interested, and I wrote it off. 30 some years later, let's try this again, shall we?

The standard review of Fever Tree is the first side is a compendium of superb acid rock, and the second side is pop slop. It's hard to go against the grain on side 1, as Fever Tree gives us a great example of what is commonly known as fuzz psych. The tracks are well-written, and all of them could be consider worthy of the various psych compilations out there. Side 2 is also quite good in my estimation, but it is different. While I would have been perfectly content for Fever Tree to continue as they had, I'm also fine with the direction they chose. The compositions here (or arrangements in some cases) are particularly well conceived. It's a bit disorienting, which to me is a keyword for psychedelia anyway. It's not commercial sounding at all. Fever Tree is a solid album all the way through, just know it's two different styles going in, and you'll be fine.

Ownership: LP: 1973 MCA. Later pressing. Recent thrift store find (in nice shape too).

7/16/20 (new entry)