All was not that well within The Yardbirds by this point in time. Although legendary guitarist Jimmy Page had been signed on after a bunch of personnel changes within the group (after guitarist Jeff Beck was fired), the focus was shifting from singles to albums and The Yardbirds needed to progress to adjust to the rapidly shifting musical context of the moment. By 1967, Psychedelic Rock was the musical trend of the time and The Yardbirds began playing long and drawn-out jam-based performances at live shows. The recordings here apparently were rushed, not perfected as producer Mickie Most was interested in hit singles, less so a concept album of consistent songs, which was a thing at the time. As a result, this was the final main release by The Yardbirds before Jimmy Page decided to form the legendary Led Zeppelin which became a major Rock music act of the 1970s. That was yet to come at this point, however. Let’s take a listen to this album and we shall hear if it is any good.

Little Games begins with some loosely strummed guitar chords, bongo beats and some pleasant-sounding vocals. This is a song of the times, sounding very much like a 1967 tune. It has lyrics about childhood imagination and toys galore. This is actually surprisingly good and has some sweet violin in the background throughout this song. A loud and energetic guitar melody and solo is here, alongside some sweet violin. This is an underrated and strong effort throughout, just sounding really classy. A beautiful and decent tune from the 1960s. The dual-tracked guitar parts and violin mesh together nicely, with some expressive playing at the end of this song. A solid start to the album.

Smile On Me has some more traditional guitar work by Jimmy Page in a 12-bar Rhythm and Blues styled piece. The instrumentation and playing sound very good, once again. This is an enjoyable song with some pleasant Fender Telecaster playing throughout, although this is swamped in the background for the most part. Soon enough, this changes into a boogie-styled tune with rich piano and expressively awesome guitar leads. This points out that the album here, so far at least, is very underrated. The verses quickly resume and this tune sounds very, very good. Obviously, the music of the 1960s was a great deal better than the music of today. A really gloriously excellent listen, the guitar playing by Jimmy Page is fantastic, sounding different and unique overall. A good listen, and something worth hearing, once again. It ends with a touch of wah-wah guitar in the fade-out.

White Summer begins with some interesting acoustic guitar that is in a DADGAD tuning. It is virtually a Jimmy Page solo piece this one, with some super excellent and awesome guitar playing throughout. This is worth hearing, and it sounds very much like a proto-Led Zeppelin tune. Some excellent riffing eventually kickstarts this tune, with some tabla drums following in hot pursuit and the whole tune sounding legendary. Some muted saxophone follows. This is very interesting to listen to throughout, and it should put a smile on your face. This is a very euphoric and decent tune. This does point ahead to the future of music with Led Zeppelin, and it sounds really pretty, skilful and excellent. All in all, a really great tune to hear. The tabla drums play at a furious speed, alongside the descriptively emotional acoustic guitar. There is a brief break in the second half before the acoustic guitar riffing gets started again. A really decent tune to listen to, this sounds clever, pretty and unique. A great tune from the late 1960s. It ends with a nice sustained acoustic guitar chord. Brilliant.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor begins as a loud electric guitar-based jam and sounds quite quirky and different. The song gets going away nicely and continues the theme of childhood delights lyrically. This may seem like garbage to some out there today, but still, it sounds really cool for what it is. It has some great rhymes and musicianship throughout, just sounding like an inspired and tuneful listen. There is some interesting guitar soloing present in this tune, followed by a return to the verses. A good, although to some not great, example of the music of 1967. Less than three minutes long, this is a really great tune to listen to. Better than expected.

Glimpses begins with a bass guitar riff, electric guitar feedback and slow and steady drumming. This sounds extremely Psychedelic, along with some cool harmonies to hear. This is another (likely) drug-inspired tune that sounds really different. There are washes of Psychedelic guitars present as well. A wordless jam with some interesting playing and sounds throughout, this is a much better album than expected. It is thoroughly consistent throughout. Towards the middle, the music fades out somewhat, whilst a radio-sounding voice recording enters, which is completely different. An awesome tune, one can almost literally smell the incense and marijuana from listening to it. A bunch of additional strange sounds enter in the second half of the song, along with dual-tracked harmonies that are winners. This is likely based on Indian music that was popular at the time and sounds really awesome and great throughout. A really excellent listening experience throughout, and a memorable jam band-styled tune you can come back to. Awesome music. It ends with a sped-up section to conclude with, along with some powerful drum rolls. Sweet.

Drinking Muddy Water is likely a reference to awesome Bluesman Muddy Waters. It begins with some, indeed, Blues-based guitar music that sounds fresh and fantastic to this very day. This has some more wordless harmonies throughout and is a really cool listen. Soon enough, vocalist Keith Relf sings wonderfully here and this song gets going very nicely. It’s more a textural Psychedelic Blues jam piece than anything else, but it is a really stunning listen all the same. It’s not a million miles away from the sort of music that Cream was playing at the time, of whom their guitarist Eric Clapton used to be in The Yardbirds. In the second half are some pleasant breakdowns and buildups musically throughout, before this song eventually reaches a logical conclusion. Awesome.

No Excess Baggage is a quirky riff-driven piece with some excellent drum rolls throughout. Singing is present about being by oneself without a wife or kids. This is a good song, but not a great song as it sounds a little weird musically on this album. Nonetheless, this is a decent listen that doesn’t need to be skipped. It just sounds really weird. A good tune on a very underrated album, the guitar solo in the second half is quite good as well. A really interesting listen about not having a wife and kids and pursuing a lady simultaneously. It is only two and a half minutes long. Good job.

Stealing Stealing begins with a Jazzy and upbeat piano, followed by harmonica and imitations of double bass, via humming. It quickly launches into a cool and quirky tune to listen to, and this is obviously a mockery of certain people out there who are kleptomaniacs. A kazoo solo is present here, to add to the madness. Cool and different listening, this one is not designed to be taken seriously whatsoever. Really fun and joyful music, The Yardbirds may have been past their best moments musically here, but they still knew how to have fun. A really cool and decent parody musically.

Only The Black Rose is an acoustic-led tune with great playing by Jimmy Page. Some extra chiming percussion is here as well, adding to the Hippie ambience here. Soon enough, singing emerges that sounds pleasant and extremely good. This is likely about an out-of-body experience and is definitely a rewarding listen A short, awesome and valuable tune in the history of music, this is a surreal, lovely and pleasant song to listen to. In the second half, some reversed sounds and pleasant instrumentation are present throughout, as the singing resumes to paint a beautiful, Psychedelic and Surreal picture musically. A great song that should be heard more by others. A must-hear from this album, it is also less than three minutes long. Excellent.

Little Soldier Boy begins with some interesting marching drums and launches into a weird song that does sound quirky and unusual. It continues the theme of childlike visions throughout this album. All in all, this is yet another cool tune that works incredibly well upon listening. A really cool and imaginative tune, this finishes off this album with a reminder that the 1960s was about Rock music that was consistent and imaginative. The marching drums, quirky sounds and surreal lyrics make this song come alive. Interesting tune, it ends with a fade out.

This is a decent album that, whilst perhaps not as consistent as one would hope for, still sounds interesting and different to this very day. Sure, it has its weak moments, but this is largely forgivable, as the album itself is overall good. A trip through wonderland itself. Should you listen to this album? Yes, especially if you are a big fan of Psychedelic Rock or if you love musical history. After this album, The Yardbirds fell apart and Jimmy Page went on to form Led Zeppelin out of the ashes of The Yardbirds. This is a good album, however and history should judge it as that.

Decent and imaginative Rock music from 1967.

8/10