GET THE PICTURE?

The second studio album by London near-Beat, Rhythm-n-Blues-meets-Garage-Rock darlings, The Pretty Things, Get The Picture? is still very much of their earlier era, bluesy, yet clearly set in Garage Rock England. We are yet to see even hints of clear Psychedelia (perfected for them in S. F. Sorrow, 1968).

"You Don't Believe Me" is our opener, a good 'Picture' into this band's earlier sound: well-performed, earworm, R'n'B-inflected Garage Rock. This song was actually co-written with would-be Zeppelin guitarist and would-be Yardbird, Jimmy Page. "Buzz the Jerk" is a pretty standard groovy, bluesy Garage Rock song, comparable, I find, to contemporaries The Small Faces. Sure there's some lowlight material on here, too, like the head-boppin', but ultimately static number, and title track, "Get The Picture?".

"Can't Stand the Pain" feels like it has elements from an Ennio Morricone-penned soundtrack for classic Spaghetti Westerns, like A Fistful of Dollars, mixed with a garagey post-Rockabilly feel. Reverb-soaked and twangy is "Rainin' In My Heart", a blues number.

Back into the groovy, this time maybe most reminiscent of the Stones, is "We'll Play House". There's not a whole lot to say here, as these songs are pretty straightforward and only differentiate themselves by tone and specific composition. Clearly a highlight in comparison, though, is "You'll Never Do It Baby" [What is this? That "You won't" meme? hahahaha... Anyways...]. Real great Rock number with a sweet beat and an awesome guitar solo from the great Dick Taylor.

Back to the straight n' boring Blues with "I Had A Dream"... "I Want Your Love" on the other hand has a good rhythm and some fun group vocals. Would fit real nice in the canon of '60s Pop Rock, for sure. "London Town" is back to the low and slow, with a sort of stripped back Folk Rock. We're back into R'n'B territory then on "Cry To Me". Decent song, just static. I guess we can say that what sets this apart from Merseybeat of the same period (and just before) is its lo-fi nature: It's very clearly categorized into 'Garage Rock' overall. This is clear, too, in our next track, "Gonna Find Me A Substitute". Pretty good, groovin' track. Decent guitar solo here. And this here is where the original LP ended (2.5/5.0). Onto the Bonus Tracks!

"Get A Buzz" is another rocker. I guess now that I'm thinkin' about it, as we keep goin', Garage Beat could ultimately be a thing haha; this would fit the bill. "Sittin' All Alone" is slow but groovin', as they sometimes do. A bit of boogie-woogie then on "Midnight to Six Man", a decent rock track. Good a time as ever to praise the drummer here and on, Twink. Killer performer. "Me Needing You" isn't much to sneeze at... We're back in the garage with the heavier "Come See Me". Pretty boring though, to me. Finally, we have "L.S.D." It was also just alright. And so that's it.

True Rate: 2.5/5.0 | Even in their earlier years, I feel they've done better. If anything, the LP proper, pre-bonus tracks, was a hair better.