The original group's debut album was a then-groundbreaking meld of progressive rock with classical and jazz influences. The album is a little clunky by today's standards, and far druggier than the later group in its ambience (cofounders
Keith Relf and
Jim McCarty were the heavily psychedelic half of the final lineup of
the Yardbirds, which made them anathema to
Jimmy Page), but vocalist
Jane Relf had a striking individual style, and the classical influence was unique for its time. [The 2002 Collector's Choice reissue cuts "Sea" and the second version of "Island" from the track listing.] ~ Bruce Eder