The College Crowd Digs Me

"Come And Have Some Tea With The Tea Company" - The Tea Company (1968) The Tea Company, from out of New York, left behind one album. The music was intentionally trippy and a bit freaky with an album cover that leaves little doubt as to the kind of "tea" they are thinking about.  Side one is the deeper psych for the head and side two has a more poppy psych vibe.  And I loved it.  The band dive in with both feet.  Nothing too heavy, but tasty studio trickery abounds and make for some pleasing psych moments. Some of the lyrics are a tad cheesy in places, but they are sung with a sincerity that begs forgiveness.  I dug it.  The album has become a sought-after essential for psych lovers and nice copies are starting to sting the wallet.  Still, as record hunters are want to say...good deals can be had.  My copy was a "right place, right time" find for low dollar from a local seller known as Garageman G.  "Come And Have Some Tea With The Tea Compa...

" Ars Nova" -  Ars Nova (1968) I didn't dislike Ars Nova's debut album, but the wow factor was fairly low.  Nothing bad, but nothing stands out either.  There are a few Baroquish tracks that have occasional low-bottom brass and a Medieval presence that throws off a bit of a time-traveling vibe.  There are subtle hints of psych ghosts yet-to-come...but they never stay for very long.  I'm glad I picked it up, but I'm not sure how often I'll play it. "Ars Nova" (back) The band sometimes sound like they might've kicked some dirt wandering through the English countryside, but they are just good-ol' New York boys.  The guys look dark and foreboding on the front cover.  If only the album had more of that attitude.  Favorites are the opener  "Pavan For My Lady."     The most psych-ish track... " And How Am I To Know" ...is a grower that whips itself up into a nice, if short, fuzz-burner midway through the spin.  And the clo...