I began listening to the Mamas and the Papas in late November 2022. I didn't like much of their stuff beyond their biggest singles.
If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears (1966): B+
The Mamas & the Papas (1966): C+
Deliver (1967): C
The Papas & the Mamas (1968): B-
People Like Us (1971): B-
If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears (1966):
This is a fine album with a few great singles and a few questionable covers that work in the end (it's incredible that I don't hate "The 'In' Crowd") because of the angelic harmonies arranged by John Phillips and the expert studio musicians, many of whom served on the Wrecking Crew. Phillips is still writing simple pop songs in the style of the early 60s--we'll see if that changes as the band's troubles worsen--but I don't mind because I've always felt that era ended too quickly. B+
The Mamas & the Papas (1966):
Phillips's obvious digs at his wife never pack much punch and his strength as a melodist and arranger run out after about a single's worth of music. Now that he's writing most of their songs, it's clear he has no idea how to develop the band's sound beyond "California Dreamin'." C+
Deliver (1967):
I stand behind my praise of Phillips's writing on their debut but my oh my how I can't stand it now. "Creeque Alley" is the last straw and I'm afraid "Twist and Shout" is one too many bad covers. C
The Papas & the Mamas (1968):
The female vocalists really get their chance to shine on this album and the band finally sounds like they're catching up to the times but truthfully they'd be better frozen in 1966. Don't they know the folk revival died when Dylan went electric? B-
People Like Us (1971):
This one gets a lot of hate but I think the production and playing is pretty nice and I enjoy that the harmonies don't soar at every turn. Phillips certainly hasn't gotten any better at songwriting but what the hell. B-
