This full-length debut from British blues-rockers
Spooky Tooth has a tone similar to
Traffic with its psychedelic take on the influential pop and soul music of the '60s. A few cover tunes including
Janis Ian's "Society's Child" and
the Nashville Teens' "Tobacco Road" are included, but original songs like the soulful ballad "It Hurts You So" and "Bubbles" (with its
Beach Boys sensibility) are the real standouts. The cheery, psychedelic "It's All About a Roundabout" is the catchiest number by far. On this dreamy cut, vocalist/keyboardist
Gary Wright demonstrates some sharp melodic and compositional instincts. Although
Spooky Tooth eventually became better-known for their straightforward blues-rock, the trippy pop of
It's All About counts as a career highlight for the group. Fans of late-'60s British rock are definitely advised to check out this impressive release. ~ Vincent Jeffries