Waking up early on a Monday morning isn't always the easiest thing to do, but I'm guessing if you had a strawberry alarm clock it would at least make waking up pretty dope. While taking online classes at ASU, I took a couple modern music history classes, which turned out to be some of the best courses I had ever taken. One of the eras focused on that captivated me was the psychedelic scene of the 1960's. In a time of so much hate, this entire group of people did not judge by race, gender, age, or social status, but then again it was probably because they were all on drugs. But it made for some pretty incredible music. The Strawberry Alarm Clock "Incense and Peppermints" December 1967 With a name like The Strawberry Alarm Clock you know they had to be on some crazy drugs to make them think of that name. But luckily for us, their lifestyle helped create this incredible album psychedelic sounds and peaceful lyrics. The first time I actually heard one of their songs was on the first Austin Powers movie, I knew the song just from that movie but had never thought to look it up. So when these guys popped up in my assignments, it was almost like their sound had never left my memory. These guys formed their group in the Los Angeles area in the 1960s, and of the 20 members they have had come in and out over the 50 years they've been together, six men remain strong and continue to play together. On March 18th, they actually had a 50 year anniversary concert which they headlined to celebrate this historic album. Incredible to think that these dudes are still going strong after all these years. The album is only 30 minutes long, but it makes for the perfect length for a car ride to work to get your mind in a more peaceful state. The album was named after the hit song "Incense and Peppermints" which is a hit that you have probably unknowingly heard in your life. It was a Billboard #1 hit at the time and it remained their biggest hit over their years together. The lyrics are somewhat relatable when you can put yourself in their shoes. Incense and Peppermints are what they used when they would smoke weed, so that they could mask the smell. But the song references not only their lifestyle, but how people should be able to express themselves however they want. Incense and peppermints, the color of thyme. Who cares what games we choose? Little to win, but nothing to lose. Incense and peppermints, meaningless nouns. Turn on, tune in, turn your eyes around. Look at yourself, look at yourself There are only ten tracks on this album, but they all contain the same substance that represents this era of music greatly. Songs like "The World's on Fire" and "Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow" have also found their way into movies over the years. One song that still stands out to me is one that could still be a positive influence on our people today. "Tomorrow" contains simple lyrics, that remind us that we can make it if we stick together. Tomorrow Things won't be the same Tomorrow Life would be a different game But right now I am with you, and Together we can make it through Ba-ba-ba...ba-ba-ba-ba If you like The Beatles then I can guarantee you will like this album. If you don't care about anything created before you were born then you won't like it. But I encourage you to open your mind to this music and allow yourself to fall into an alternate state of mind. These guys are pretty far out man. Look at these dudes swag bruh lol
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Anthony VallesterosJust a man trying to make the most of his time on this planet. Categories
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February 2019
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