If you've heard vague rumors about this album and expect it to be a garage punk masterpiece, you might be somewhat disappointed. The group's 1969 debut LP, Livin' Love, is not a collection of gritty, raw garage rock with snarling vocals and plenty of attitude; instead, it's a slick, over-produced, and generally mellow album featuring session musicians and an overall sound that's closer to
Dusty Springfield than to
the Sonics or
Chocolate Watchband. Fortunately, the vocals are relatively strong, the songs aren't bad, and the reissues on Rev-Ola and Teenbeat contain several bonus tracks (including some demos that showcase the band without the studio gloss). The album also provides some entertaining '60s details, such as the wah-wah guitar and repeated phrase "can you find yourself" on "Hide & Seek," which help give the music some personality.