The Travel Agency- The Travel Agency[1968]

I won't use the words "lost masterpiece", both because they're overused, and because "masterpiece" is a big word for an album you happen to really be into at a particular time. I feel safe, however, using the phrase "forgotten gem" to describe this release by the mysteriously underappreciated Travel Agency.

Information on this band is scarce, but from what I can tell, they released only this, their debut LP, along with a few singles. I guess they just got swept up in the massive amount of new acts making psychedelia in the late 60's, but I'm honestly surprised that they didn't make much of a splash. The production here is great, and there's a lot of interesting sounds from just about every band member.

Opener "What's A Man" starts off with a pleasant, if overlong intro of harmonium and organ, with wailing vocals spiraling around. As the drones fade out, a nice little riff comes in, kicking the album into gear. The surprisingly nimble bass and drums set up a shuffling backbeat for the remarkably versatile vocals, and the lyrics are a pleasant departure from flower-power, with such gems as "You can't imagine what i'm thinking/ We've got to fight them when they're small/ Or their disease will soon be spreading/ And then we'll never kill them all" popping up in a well-written anti-war monologue.

"Sorry You Were Born" is an uptempo number, with some nice harmonies on the bridge and some engaging guitar work. "Cadillac George" is a skronky, buzzing tune about some kind of asshole bigwig, and "Lonely Seabird" slows things down for an ethereal dirge that really showcases the singer's unique voice. He manages to get that backmasked sound without any effects, which is pretty neat.

"So Much Love" has some great harmonies, but it's a little bit uneventful, and ends up falling behind the rest of the album. "Make Love", however, is a (relatively) aggressive song, with great performances from everyone, especially in the rhythm section. "That's Good" is the longest song on the album, and a great song to boot. It starts with some joyful harmonies and snarky lyrics("life is SO happy") and blossoms into a stomping, organ-laden jam in the middle, vocals slowly fading to the end. "I'm Not Dead" is a great psych-pop song, with some peppy guitar work backing up still more fantastic harmonies and featuring both a key and tempo change. "She Understands" fades in with a swaying, yet driving bass and guitar interplay, yet again showcasing The Travel Agency's fantastic harmonies. "Come To Me" and "You Will Be There" aren't bad, but are the most unremarkable tracks on the album. Closer "Old Man" makes up for the preceding two songs, and sounds somewhat like the opener, but does enough on its own to be memorable.

There are strong performances from all band members on this release, but what really stands out for me are the harmonies(as if you couldn't tell). The bands that use vocal harmonies to great effect tend to develop their own, instantly recognizable sound. The Beatles had their harmonies, The Beach Boys had theirs, and even The Olivia Tremor Control developed a unique style of harmony. The Travel Agency have done the same here, and it really makes this largely unnoticed album memorable.