Day 29: The Lovin’ Spoonful – Hums of the Lovin’ Spoonful

Album cover courtesy of Kama Sutra Records

I’m trying to find some sort of a gateway drug to country music. I’m from Northern Europe, so I didn’t exactly grow up with it, and it’s not that big of a deal here in Scotland either. It’s not that I don’t like it, it’s just that I’ve not listened to it much. I think folk music might be my gateway, from folk rock to folk to country. The folk rock band I’m starting with is The Lovin’ Spoonful.

The Lovin’ Spoonful was formed in New York in the 1960s. They were one of the biggest bands of the time and influenced many artists, but shamefully I have to admit that I know absolutely diddly about them, save from having heard a few of their hits.

Released in 1966, Hums of the Lovin' Spoonful is their third studio album. At the time it was made, they were already one of the biggest bands in the country and were taking a break from their hectic touring schedule to record the album. It was also the last album they recorded with the original line-up, as two of the members, Steve Boone and Zal Yanovsky, were arrested for marijuana possession after the album was released, and people didn’t take too kindly to the pair ratting out their dealer to save themselves. It created boycotts from fans and tensions within the band, which led to Yanovsky getting the boot.

It’s an interesting album. It oscillates between genres, from country to folk to blues to pop, and all of the songs seem very different from one another. Despite that, it doesn’t feel disjointed. There’s a very jovial vibe to the whole album that makes it a joy to listen to. I don’t know what I  I expected, but it wasn’t this. There’s lots going on on the record, and most of it I like, especially  “Coconut Grove” and “Darlin’ Companion”.

I’ll give this one a very reasonable 8/10. I’ll definitely listen to them again, might even do another one of their records as an Album of The Day.