In the pantheon of 60s psychedelic rock, one name often stands out less than others: Love. Yet this Los Angeles band, led by the charismatic and tortured Arthur Lee, combined the raw energy of garage rock, the melodic sophistication of the Beatles and the lyrical flamboyance of flower power with exceptional talent.

Love began their career in 1966 with a self-titled debut album that already distilled a unique approach to rock, fusing blues, folk and psychedelia with captivating boldness and originality. But it was with their third album “Forever Changes” in 1967 that Love really made rock history.

Unfortunately, like too many stories of the time, Love's story is one of self-destruction. Drug problems, internal strife and poor career decisions eroded the band until it disbanded in the late 1960s. Arthur Lee, despite several attempts to return, never managed to recreate the magic of Love and died in 2006.

However, Love's legacy lives on and continues to influence generations of musicians. Bands such as The Stone Roses, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Primal Scream have all acknowledged their debt to Love and Forever Changes. For those seeking to understand the roots of psychedelic pop, Love is an essential stop, a gem that continues to shine even after all these years.

The Da Capo album

In 1967, in the midst of the Summer of Love, a Los Angeles band called Love released their second album, “Da Capo”. Led by the enigmatic Arthur Lee, Love stood out for its bold fusion of psychedelic rock, blues and folk, and its unique approach to songwriting. Although often overshadowed by its successor, “Forever Changes”, “Da Capo” remains an essential milestone of the psychedelic era.

The album opens with “Stephanie Knows Who”, an energetic track that combines brilliant brass arrangements with Arthur Lee's suave vocals. “Orange Skies” and “¡Que Vida!” demonstrate Love's ability to blend seductive pop melodies with lyrics steeped in psychedelic poetry. “She Comes in Colors,” one of the album's best-known songs, is a lyrical ode to beauty and love, wrapped in a baroque pop arrangement.

Where “Da Capo” really stands out is on its second side, which is taken up entirely by the psychedelic jam “Revelation”. Inspired by blues and jazz, “Revelation” is a bold excursion into group improvisation, showcasing the band's instrumental skills and willingness to experiment.

Despite its quality, ‘Da Capo' was not the commercial success it was intended to be when it was released. However, with hindsight, it is clear how much of a precursor this album was, anticipating the psychedelic explorations of the Beatles on “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band” and the ambitious work of bands like Pink Floyd.

“Da Capo is a fascinating journey into the mind of Arthur Lee and Love at a key moment in their career. For those looking to discover the sound of the late 60s, beyond the most famous names, “Da Capo” is an indispensable destination.

The song Seven And Seven Is

In the midst of the psychedelic flowering of the 1960s, one song emerged with an intensity and fury that foreshadowed the punk movement of the following decade. It was Love's “Seven and Seven Is”, a two-and-a-half minute whirlwind that combined a frantic beat, enigmatic lyrics and a cacophony of guitar sounds.

Featured on the 1967 album “Da Capo”, “Seven and Seven Is” is one of Love's most memorable achievements. Under the direction of the charismatic Arthur Lee, the band managed to encapsulate an essence of chaos and confusion in this song, which was at odds with the peaceful vibes of Summer of Love.

Lyrically, “Seven and Seven Is” is an enigma. The lyrics, which speak of desire, agony and the end of the world, are delivered with an urgency and intensity that amplifies their mystery. “When I was a boy, I thought about the times I'd be a man,” Lee sings, before moving on to images of everyday life that turn bizarre and dangerous.

Musically, “Seven and Seven Is” is a sonic assault. The guitars are aggressive, the rhythm section is relentless, and the whole thing is capped off with a final explosion that was a musical metaphor for the emotional chaos expressed in the song.

“Seven and Seven Is” reached number 33 on the US charts, making Love one of the important players in the Los Angeles rock scene. Although they never reached the level of success of some of their contemporaries, the influence of Love and “Seven and Seven Is” can be heard in genres as varied as punk, garage rock and power pop.

Notable covers include one by the Ramones in 1993.

Where to listen to Da Capo?

• Listen to Da Capo on Spotify
• Listen to Da Capo on Deezer
• Listen to Da Capo on Youtube

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