Daydream - The Lovin' Spoonful  

USA / 1966 

These guys were really big, but for only about two years. Daydream shows the original lineup in all its glory; by now they'd already scored a major hit ("Do You Believe In Magic"), and this early 1966 album includes two more: "You Didn't Have To Be So Nice," a brilliantly arranged but whitebread love song with great 
harmonies and a catchy, if plodding descending guitar riff that's doubled on chimes; and the equally clever title track, which went to #2. The album is short and terribly dated-sounding, but actually quite good, with the band effectively delivering its unique blend of old-timey blues and Byrds-influenced 60's folk-rock - you'll hear plenty of tambourines, smooth harmonies, and jangly guitars. Zal Yanovsky plays most of the guitar parts, and he's quite competent 
if entirely derivative of the big Chicago blues sound. But most of the musical focus is on John Sebastian, the lead singer and songwriter, who also adds some rhythm guitar and harmonica. He's got a warm voice and a good ear for light-hearted lyrical Americana when he's not falling prey to 60's pop song 
cliches. The sound really was behind the times, though; there's none of the heavy rock experimentation of the Beatles, Byrds, and Yardbirds, clever orchestration of the Beach Boys, or introspective, but political lyrics of Dylan. Later the same year the band scored two more monster hits ("Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?" and "Summer In The City," their only #1), then five 
further ever-more-lackluster Top 40 singles until sinking into obscurity in the wake of John Sebastian's 1968 departure.