Audio CD review:
The Mamas & the Papas - If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears

The Mamas & the Papas - If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears

Band: The Mamas & the Papas Title: If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears Rating: Release Date: 24 February, 1998 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Monday, Monday 2: Straight Shooter 3: Got A Feelin' 4: I Call Your Name 5: Do You Wanna Dance 6: Go Where You Wanna Go 7: California Dreamin' 8: Spanish Harlem 9: Somebody Groovy 10: Hey Girl 11: You Baby 12: The In Crowd

Editoral Review But none of that is evident on their 1966 debut, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears; rather, it's the quartet's dreamy vocal interaction that is the highlight here. As they developed and incorporated more of their own social lives into their music, the Mamas and the Papas became the model for other dysfunctionally self-involved groups like Fleetwood Mac. "California Dreamin'" is a touching honeymoon of a song; and its follow-up, "Monday Monday," is much the same--though it comes this close to overwhelming sappiness. "Spanish Harlem," "In Crowd," and Mama Cass Elliott's lead on the Beatles' "I Call Your Name" are just as enjoyable. Though the accompanying music on this album was not the focus, it's every bit as strong as the vocal arrangements, with Larry Knetchel, Joe Osborne, and Hal Blaine handling the chores here. --Randy Silver .. You can see a complete list of all The Mamas & the Papas discography, or go back to the The Mamas & the Papas tabs