A Web of Sound cover

Released 60 years ago

A Web of Sound

The Seeds · 1966

133 min · 32 tracks · psychedelic rock

Psychedelic rock textures intertwine with jangly guitars and whimsical lyrics, evoking a surreal sonic landscape.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Mr Farmer — This track stands out with its catchy chorus and playful lyrics, embodying the carefree spirit of 1960s youth culture while also introducing a slightly darker undertone.
  • →
    Pictures & Designs — With its dreamy melodies and vivid imagery, this song captures the essence of the psychedelic experience, inviting listeners into a world of colorful thoughts and emotions.
  • →
    Up in Her Room — Clocking in at over fourteen minutes, this epic showcases The Seeds' adventurous side, blending hypnotic rhythms with extended instrumental passages that push the boundaries of traditional song structure.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100
Lowland
Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The album showcases inventive songwriting and production but lacks cohesive flow due to its length and multiple takes.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with 'Mr. Farmer', which features a prominent jangly guitar riff and whimsical lyrics that set a psychedelic tone.
  • Tracks like 'Pictures & Designs' and 'Tripmaker' utilize layered vocal harmonies and reverb effects, creating a dense sonic texture.
  • Several tracks, such as 'I Tell Myself' and 'A Faded Picture', incorporate abrupt tempo shifts and unconventional song structures, enhancing the surreal feel.
  • The inclusion of multiple takes of songs towards the end suggests an experimental approach to recording, though it disrupts the flow.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Mr Farmer 3:14
  • 2 Pictures & Designs 2:44
  • 3 Tripmaker 2:45
  • 4 I Tell Myself 2:27
  • 5 A Faded Picture 5:26
  • 6 Rollin' Machine 2:51
  • 7 Just Let Go 4:19
  • 8 Up in Her Room 14:42
  • 9 The Wind Blows Your Hair (version 1) 3:10
  • 10 Dreaming of Your Love (version 2) 2:15
  • 11 Out of the Question (version 4) 3:17
  • 12 I Tell Myself (take 1) 2:49
  • 13 Pictures & Designs (take 14) 2:56
  • 14 Just Let Go (take 4) 4:03
  • 15 A Faded Picture (take 1) 5:33

Disc 2

  • 1 Mr Farmer 3:11
  • 2 Pictures & Designs 2:45
  • 3 Tripmaker 2:48
  • 4 I Tell Myself 2:35
  • 5 A Faded Picture 5:22
  • 6 Rollin' Machine 2:44
  • 7 Just Let Go 4:20
  • 8 Up in Her Room 14:42
  • 9 Pretty Girl 2:06
  • 10 Moth and the Flame 3:53
  • 11 I'll Help You (Carry Your Money to the Bank) 3:32
  • 12 Cry Wolf 6:10
  • 13 Plain Spoken 2:56
  • 14 The Gardener 5:02
  • 15 One More Time Blues 2:29
  • 16 Creepin' About 2:48
  • 17 Buzzin' Around 3:44

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata