What makes Incense and Peppermints by Strawberry Alarm Clock notable?

The album features the iconic title track, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying its place in pop culture. Its innovative use of studio effects and lyrical themes contributed to the burgeoning psychedelic movement, influencing countless artists in the genre. Released in early 1967, Incense and Peppermints was Strawberry Alarm Clock's debut album, introducing their signature blend of psychedelic rock. It marked the beginning of their brief but impactful career, which saw them navigating the shifting landscape of 1960s music.

How many songs are on Incense and Peppermints?

Incense and Peppermints has 10 tracks, running approximately 32 minutes.

Incense and Peppermints

Strawberry Alarm Clock · 1967

32 min · 10 tracks · psychedelic rock

Psychedelic melodies intertwine with whimsical lyrics, creating a vibrant soundscape that captures the essence of the 1960s counterculture.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Incense and Peppermints — This track not only became the band's most recognizable hit but also defined the psychedelic sound of the era with its ethereal instrumentation and surreal lyrics.
→
The World's on Fire — Spanning over eight minutes, this track showcases ambitious song structure and vivid imagery that reflects societal unrest during the 1960s.
→
Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow — This song exemplifies the dreamy quality of their music, merging whimsical storytelling with lush harmonies that transport listeners to a surreal realm.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album blends innovative studio techniques with whimsical lyrics, marking a distinct entry in the psychedelic rock genre.

What we noticed

The album features a prominent use of reverb and echo effects, particularly on the vocals, creating a spacious sound that enhances the psychedelic atmosphere.
Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, such as abrupt tempo changes and shifts in instrumentation, which contribute to a sense of unpredictability.
The title track is positioned as the penultimate song, allowing it to serve as a climactic moment before the album concludes with a more subdued piece.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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.

1 The World's on Fire 8:21
2 Birds in My Tree 1:53
3 Lose to Live 3:13
4 Strawberries Mean Love 3:01
5 Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow 3:05
6 Paxton's Back Street Carnival 2:01
7 Hummin' Happy 2:25
8 Pass Time With the SAC 1:21
9 Incense and Peppermints 2:47
10 Unwind With the Clock 4:10

What to play next

Listen next

The World in a Sea Shell

1968

Full Strawberry Alarm Clock discography Artists like Strawberry Alarm Clock

psychedelic rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata