Ball
Iron Butterfly · 1969
35 min · 9 tracks · psychedelic rock
A swirling tapestry of psychedelic rock, blending heavy guitar riffs with ethereal melodies and introspective lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Soul Experience — As a standout single, this track encapsulates the band's signature blend of heavy instrumentation and captivating vocal harmonies, making it a defining moment in their catalog.
-
→
In the Time of Our Lives — This opener sets the tone for the album with its reflective lyrics and expansive arrangement, showcasing the band's evolution from their earlier work.
-
→
Lonely Boy — The melancholic yet powerful delivery in this track highlights emotional depth amid the psychedelic sound, making it an essential part of the overall experience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends heavy riffs with experimental elements, showcasing a solid but not approach to psychedelic rock.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a track that features a prominent organ riff layered over heavy guitar, establishing a psychedelic atmosphere.
- Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo shifts and dynamic contrasts, particularly between verses and choruses.
- The use of extended instrumental sections in songs like 'Soul Experience' allows for improvisation and exploration within the arrangements.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo groove exploration
- psychedelic melodies for reflection
- short tracks for focused listening
- warm soundscapes for casual vibes
Maybe skip if you
- need for high-energy intensity
- prefer long-form compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on February 1, 1969, Ball marked Iron Butterfly's third studio album, following the monumental success of their hit 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.' At this stage in their career, the band aimed to expand their sound while still riding the wave of their previous breakthrough, which had established them as pioneers of the psychedelic rock genre.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 In the Time of Our Lives 4:52
- 2 Soul Experience 2:53
- 3 Lonely Boy 5:00
- 4 Real Fright 2:45
- 5 In the Crowds 2:13
- 6 It Must Be Love 4:26
- 7 Her Favorite Style 3:15
- 8 Filled With Fear 3:47
- 9 Belda-Beast 5:45
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.