Snappy Feathers

Overall Album Score: 8.8 out of 10

I suppose that so many bands in the '60s valued melodic songwriting, which is why groups such as The Turtles get swept under the rug. The critics aren't too interested in giving them a re-appraisal, because they have a reputation for being throwaway sunshine-pop guys. The public's certainly not interested in this, because they're so busy watching American Idol that they don't even bother wiping up the dribble that's dangling off their lips. At least indie-music fans have a chance to discover them since their discography has been available cheaply at emusic.com.

These guys have such a gift for melody that I can't imagine you would need to have a fetish for '60s pop music to enjoy it. Even among other bands of their day, they're decidedly above average.

Their 'throwaway sunshine pop' reputation should be debunked immediately. It's true these guys seem like they must have overdosed on Prozac before they went into the recording studio, but their music is far from throwaway. Not only are they good melody writers, but they prove to be quite good with the arrangements as well.

Take the most famous song on the album, "Happy Together" for example. Its melody would have been a hit no matter what they did to it. But, they have things like interesting orchestral build-ups, a short section where there's gorgeous but subtle little horn solo, some nice flutes ....... very good stuff, and it's all quite tasteful. The Turtles were far from revolutionary, but that's hardly a reason to criticize them. They took the musical stylings of the time, and reaped the benefits! They're so melodic and prone to put a smile on your face that they deserve to be heard. They're the Johann Strauss of the '60s.

There's a fair amount of diversity in here. OK, not really, but the songs are distinctive enough from each other to keep the effort from getting too boring. It's mostly dominated by pop songs of the "Happy Together" variety, but they also throw in happy ballads ("I Think I'll Run Away" and "Like the Season") and a number of orchestral songs ("You Know What I Mean" and "Is it Any Wonder"). They even take a moment to be utterly goofy (but still tasteful, musically) with "Rugs of the Woods and Flowers."

I do like happy music as long as it's melodic and tasteful. The Turtles fit the bill exactly.

Overall Album Score: 8.8 out of 10 (Does this album really deserve such a high rating? I think so... Surrender to your stodgy tastes and admit that The Turtles rule!)

Average Song Score: 9.0 (Is it worth denying that this isn't an album full of well-written songs? ... I don't think you want to do that ... Seriously ...)

Album Tilt: 9.0 (Fresh, fun & happy. Also not worth denying...)

Artist Rating: 8.5 (I'm less inclined in this category although they're certainly not writing throwaway music. Maybe one day I'll have the guts to give this album a 9.0, but I just can't at the moment.)

Track Reviews

Makin' My Mind Up 9.5/10

Here is a happy, sunshine-pop song with a catchy melody... And all of it is done in a method that doesn't seem cheap to me. Hey! If you're going to make sunshine pop, this is the way to do it. Make me happy without making me want to vomit. The instrumentation is similar to what the Beatles might have done in 1964. But the melody is so wonderful and the harmonies are quite complex. It's not brilliant, but it's joyous and makes me think of "the good times."

Guide For the Married Man 9/10

Here is another killer melody. Gosh, the lyrics are just crazy ...... it's hard to know if they're serious. Anyway, speaking of the melody, it's so hooky that it's surprising. They have a nice, danceable beat and some orchestral stings to keep things sounding current. This seems like the band was treating it a throwaway song, but the melody is too catchy.

I Think I'll Run Away 9.5/10

And they slow things up with an interesting ballad. The melody is so catchy that you CANNOT dislike it. The mid-tempoed beat is well-constructed ... in ways it's reminiscent of a country-western ballad, but it's much too awesome for that. The instrumentation is quite interesting ... you hear those "Aaahs" and funny horn loops going in and out of the speakers at opportune times. This is a complex song with interesting harmonies and even some rather clever rhythm changes.

The Walking Song 9/10

This would be loved by every indie-fan if it were recorded by They Might Be Giants ... and that's not far off to be honest. The chorus sounds exactly like them. This is a rather exciting song, and it sounds like The Turtles were having quite a lot of fun! When the Turtles have fun, I have fun as well... That's how it works, folks. And that's why I don't like Madonna!

Me About You 8.5/10

They don't relent. This is a rather thunderous pop ballad with another melody that would make Phil Collins shutter in his shorts. The instrumentation is fun and interesting ... they're obviously Beatles inspired here, but that doesn't mean it's not fun. I'm having a blast.

Happy Together 10/10

Here is that famous song that I know best from the movie Ernest Goes to Camp, which I loved for reasons when I was a kid that I'd rather not remember. This is one of those songs that you think you are going to hate because it's so over-played. But then when you sit down and actually listen to it, you discover that it's genuinely a very good song. These guys certainly aren't cheap about it. Their melody is just perfect. They give it all the care in the world with their instrumentation .... The rhythm section is almost fit for the Beatles (not quite) but they throw in things like that horn solo in in the background, tasteful vocal "ooohs," dramatic build-ups ....... in all actuality, this is one spankin' song.

She'd Rather Be With Me 8/10

This is another happy, smile-inducing song. The instrumentation doesn't seem to be quite as good. Surely the drummer could have done something a little less ... pounding? There's a lot of creativity here with their chord changes anyway. The melody is catchy but not their finest.

Too Young to Be One 8/10

Another gorgeous melody! It's average for them but well above average for everyone else. It has a nice flow and good instrumentation. It's far from a great song, though, but it's not cheap either.

Person Without a Care 8.5/10

This is a similarly happy song with a good melody! They have an interesting bit of instrumentation in here consisting of a jangly xylophone type instrument, and other odd sounds. Some of it sounds like a tape recorder experiment ... and some odd percussion that sounds like what Paul McCartney would later do in "Ram On" in Ram.

Like the Season 9/10

Ah, back to the timeless melodies. This is a sweet folky ballad. They don't try to be unusual with the instrumentation ... it's just an acoustic guitar, singing and a light violin in the background. It's gorgeous.

Rugs of Woods and Flowers 9/10

I never doubted these guys had a sense of humor, but they're just being goofy here. There's some weird, mock operatic singing amidst a similarly weird song that sounds like a fake showtune. It's silly but seemed to worked thanks to the catchy melody and those nice instrumental ideas. (The horns are very nicely arranged in particular... I'd go so far as to say the horns are tasty.)

She's My Girl 9/10

This is a strangely epic track, but it's still happy to the core... You've got to love optimism anyway! The instrumentation might be at home in a soundtrack ... it's surprisingly thick and quite involving. These guys knew a thing or two about harmonies ... I love those chord changes.

You Know What I Mean 9.5/10

Yet another strange track that's completely enjoyable. The melodies, again, are killer. It has an orchestral quality that's even more flamboyant than the previous track. There's horn fanfare, string glissandos ....... hooo yeah!

Is it Any Wonder 9.5/10

And they close with a beautiful ending... another happy track with some fun instrumentation. Their melodies don't seem like they're trying ... it's larger than life in that respect. The horns are very well arranged. The vocal work gives the track a glorious vibe that I hate to say is rarely repeated.

The good old Turtle guys want you to send a comment here!