Formed in 1964, Count Five had very little success. Their only hit single was “Psychotic Reaction” off the 1966 album of the same name. Because the LPs were never released as CDs, there is really only one out there. “Psychotic Revelation”. It has the same album art, and same songs (plus a few more), just a different title. The band led the way, however along with Question Mark and the Mysterians, to Punk. They were a Garage Rock band founded by two High School friends in San Jose, California. They shared a style similar to The Yardbirds, who endured much greater success.
This album, to me, is truly a hidden gem. It is also quite a rare find, but if you can get your hands on it, pick it up and give it a listen. When I listen to this album, you can just imagine back in the 1960’s going to someone’s house for a party, and they have a band playing in the garage. That band is the Count Five. Full of hard driving guitar work, full of fuzzed out solos and interesting rhythms, the songs really grab you. What makes the songs characteristic to the group are the bridges. They are usually unexpected, and unpredictable. This makes the songs a lot of fun to listen to.
Included is a cover of The Who’s “My Generation”. In my opinion, it is one of the weaker songs off the album, but still holds out for interesting guitar work. My favorite song of the album would be “Double Decker Bus”. The main guitar riff of the song is captivating – it’s just what I like to hear in a song. There is nothing better than a good song with a great driving guitar riff. I thrive on songs like those. Again, later on in the album, we see another Who cover. “Out In The Street”. Again, they don’t really do that much with this song. It is nice and lively however, with very nice rhythm guitar.
Again, musically, this album is very good. The melodies are original; the arrangements are very unique as well. The layered guitar work and vocals allow the band to really drive home the fact that it is
their song.
Fans of early Who, Punk music, The Beatles, The Yardbirds, The Zombies, and countless other bands would definitely find this album to their liking. One of the reasons that I like the band so much, besides the really loose Garage feel is the guitars. The fuzzed out tone used in many of the solos really grab your attention, and keep you there for the rest of the song, and eventually, album. The music has a direct British sounding flare, along with the definitive “San Francisco Sound”, giving them a unique sound, much like The Chocolate Watchband.
