The fourty-ninth album: #49 The Sonics - Here Are the Sonics
For some reason, I thought the Sonics were one of those girl groups that were prevalent around this time, a strong female lead singer with backup. I was wrong, we're listening to rock instead. Quite a different sound.
The Witch, the first song, starts off sounding vaguely Beatles-like, but a few seconds in shifts. The vocals change a lot of this, sounding aggressive and strained (closer to other shoutier rock bands), while the sound is odd in how non-fluid it is. It's proto punk for sure. Do You Love Me becomes a more traditional smooth song, a weird contrast in between the two. It's fairly conventional, one of those covers that seemed needed for bands of this time, evne if it seems unnecessary. As always, the covers are fine but not exceptional, performed well and showing the skill the Sonics have. It also feels like they were enjoying this plenty - they're not just there because they have to be, as the early Beatles covers sounded.
But as always, their own songs is where they shine. The Witch, as mentioned earlier, is a good statement of their style, while Psycho is slightly more normal while still being loud. It's where their sounds really comes out, and it's one I enjoy.