Albums

(Reviews and release info by Jeff Ziemer)
View the Strawberry Alarm Clock discography page.

Incense and Peppermints

Released: 1967
Label: Uni Records 3014 (Mono) 71034 (Stereo)
Cover design: Lazarus/LePrevost
Photography: Ed Caraef
 
“Incense and Peppermints” was the first LP released by the band and the only album of their career to make an impact on the album charts. It reached #11 nationally. The LP contained the #1 national hit “Incense And Peppermints,” written by members Mark Weitz and Ed King with lyrics by John Carter. The song was sung by a friend of the band, Greg Munford, who was in Shapes of Sound and later Crystal Circus. Also on the LP is Steve Bartek, who co-wrote many of the songs with George Bunnell and plays flute on some tracks. An excellent LP with great playing and heavenly harmonies.

“Incense and Peppermints” tracks:
Side 1
The World’s on Fire
Birds in My Tree
Lose to Live
Strawberries Mean Love

Side 2
Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow
Paxton’s Back Street Carnival
Hummin’ Happy
Pass Time With the SAC
Incense And Peppermints
Unwind With the Clock

Wake Up … It’s Tomorrow

Released: 1968
Label: Uni Records 73025
Producers: Frank Slay & Bill Holmes
Engineers: Paul Buff & Jack Hunt

Containing what many consider to be Strawberry Alarm Clock’s finest moments on record, “Wake Up” is an excellent LP from start to end. Much like their first LP, the group dominated the song writing and great tunes are the fore! This was the first LP by the now five-piece Alarm Clock; Gary Lovetro left prior to the recording of this LP. Also around this time, the band was featured in the movie “Psych-Out,” in which they performed the theme song and played at the club.
 
“Wake Up … It’s Tomorrow” tracks:
Side 1
Nightmare of Percussion
Soft Skies, No Lies
Tomorrow
They Saw the Fat One Coming
Curse of the Witches
 
Side 2
Sit with the Guru
Go Back (You’re Going the Wrong Way)
Pretty Song from Psych-Out
Sitting on a Star
Black Butter Past
Black Butter Present
Black Butter Future
 

The World in a Sea Shell

Released: 1968
Label: Uni Records 73035
Producers: Frank Slay & Bill Holmes
Engineers: Paul Buff

The last LP to feature George Bunnell and Randy Seol, who decided to exit at the end of the recordings. The first side is dominated by outside writers except for “Million Smiles.” Side 2, however, is pure Alarm Clock and finds the group delivering some of its finest moments. “Wooden Woman,” “Heated Love,” “Eulogy” and “Shallow Impressions” (a stunning whirlwind instrumental) are among my favorites. Most find side 1 uninspired, but “Lady Of Lake” was a great song with nice harmonies and that added SAC touch. When the producers brought in writers from outside the group, it broke up the band. Soon after, Marty Katon came aboard on drums as well as former Nightcrawlers (“Little Black Egg”) front man Jimmy Pitman on guitar and vocals.

“The World in a Seashell” tracks:
Side 1
Sea Shell
Blues for a Young Girl Gone
An Angry Young Man
A Million Smiles Away
Home Sweet Home
Lady of the Lake
 
Side 2
Barefoot in Baltimore
Wooden Woman
Heated Love
Love Me Again
Eulogy
Shallow Impressions
 

Good Morning Starshine

Released: 1969
Label: Uni Records 73054
Producers: M. Weitz, E. King, J. Zabadak, SAC
Engineers: Phil Yeend & Carl Yancher

With this LP, the Alarm Clock now had a new sound. Earlier in 1969, Marty Katon was replaced on drums by Gene Gunnels, a former member of Thee Sixpence and Strawberry Alarm Clock. The LP features great driving guitars, organ and drums. Not like the previous three albums, this LP is best described as Alarm Clock Rock. Jimmy Pitman’s arrival was crucial to the band. He brought in a new sound, a new lead voice and new songs. This was the first LP since their first to feature of picture of the group on the cover. This would also be the last studio album the Alarm Clock would ever put out. The playing on this LP is outstanding. On songs like “Hog Child” and “Miss Attraction,” the guitars/organ/drums are all over the place. “Small Package” sounds like the SAC of old and the end tag is from “California Girls” by the Beach Boys, with whom they toured often with in 1967-1968. “Write Your Name In Gold” and “Dear Joy” are outstanding as well. Soon after this LP’s release, Jimmy Pitman would leave to form Jumbo and was replaced by Paul Marshall, who had been in the Beauchemins and the Tree Toppers.

“Good Morning Starshine” tracks:
Side 1
Me and the Township
Off Ramp Road Tramp
Small Package
Hog Child
Miss Attraction (LP version)

Side 2
Good Morning Starshine
Miss Attraction (45 rpm single version)
Write Your Name In Gold
Standby (You Put Me On)
Dear Joy
Changes
 

The Best of Strawberry Alarm Clock

Released: 1970
Label: Uni Records 73074
Producers: F. Slay, B. Holmes, E. King, M. Weitz, J. Zabadak, J. Mills

By the time of this album’s release in 1970, the Strawberry Alarm Clock were now a four-piece band consisting of Paul Marshall, Ed King, Gene Gunnels and Lee Freeman. Mark Weitz left in in December 1969, just prior to the album’s release. This was the last LP to feature any new songs as well. “Starting Out the Day” and “Desiree” were singles-only until this album was released. This is also the last LP the band would release on UNI Records. The LP is a pretty good “Best Of” compilation that blends the earlier stuff with some of the later stuff pretty well, and includes the hits and good b-sides as well.
 
“The Best of Strawberry Alarm Clock” tracks
Side 1
Incense And Peppermints
Tomorrow
Sit With the Guru
Angry Young Man
Barefoot In Baltimore
Pretty Song From “Psych-Out”
 
Side 2
Birds In My Tree
Sea Shell
Miss Attraction
Good Morning Starshine
Desiree
Starting Out the Day

Also: “Changes”: Released in 1971. Label: Vocalion VL 73915