From Shimmer To Phase In Three Years

A pack of three for the weekend, sir? The Hard Times Blew Mind album is just gorgeous. From '67, it has all the soft shimmer and jangle you want from that year, the Association harmonies, the heartbreaking lyrical optimism. That title was pretty daring, in retrospect - no nudging suggestion ("Blue Mind"), but the music isn't exactly lysergic in effect.

That would change when the band morphed into T.I.M.E. - an acronym of Trust In Men Everywhere. The first album from '68 had a couple of cover variants - this [at left - Ed.] is the one I had, with a pointless but groovy window insert.

Smooth Ball, from '69, wrapped up the transition from patchouli-scented pop to phase-set-to-stun warp drive, in some kind of benchmark for drugged-out studio time. The title track at the end sends you right out there on waves of phase, so hang on to the arms of your La-Z Boy© recliner, old-timer!