The Hollies - Butterfly (1967)

The Hollies - Butterfly (1967)

This late 1967 album found the Hollies making some modest adjustments to the psychedelic era: occasionally trippy studio effects, a sitar on their most psychedelic track ("Maker"), songs that didn't always deal with boy-girl relationships. In fact, however, the group's focus remained where it usually was: modest but pleasing, similar-sounding catchy tunes with high harmonies and strumming guitars. It's not remarkable or essential, but it's certainly pleasant enough, and a bit better than their earlier 1967 LP, Evolution, with some of their better album-only cuts ("Postcard," "Pegasus," "Butterfly," "Away Away Away"). With some track alterations, the record was issued in the U.S. as Dear Eloise/King Midas in Reverse; the U.K. edition, as collectors should note, has a few songs that were never released in the States ("Pegasus," "Elevated Observations?," "Try It").

Note: In the pantheon of Hollies CD reissues, this one stands out as an oddity; released by a label outside of the usual Hollies staples (BGO/Sundazed/EMI), it reflects a rare, otherwise-unavailable-on-CD alternative stereo mix of this seminal 1967 album, which was originally released only in Germany.

Sound effects differ in placement on many tracks, but perhaps the biggest difference is the double-length, repeated Elevated Observations - with many variations in its second go-round. The repeat of the track mirrors the US B-side release of the song (i.e. no speedup effect), albeit the track obviously being in mono on the single. ~ AMG

Tracklist:
1. Dear Eloise 3:16
2. Away, Away, Away 2:19
3. The Maker 2:43
4. Pegasus 2:42
5. Would You Believe 4:07
6. Wish You A Wish 1:59
7. Postcard 2:19
8. Charlie & Fred 2:55
9. Try It 3:08
10. Elevated Observations 5:02
11. Step Inside 2:53
12. Butterfly 2:42