The only reason I was ever exposed to this here disc is because of a random one dollar sale of vinyl at a local record store. Yup, I acquired the second Electric Prunes album for a lowly dollar. And even if it ended up being unlistenable, it would have been worth having.

The disc, though, turned out to be a surprisingly strong garage and psych foray through late ‘60s rock.

The Electric Prunes first album, which houses their masterful “I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night,” possesses a few rather strong tracks. The consistency of that disc though should make listeners realize that any group of musicians employing song writers needs to be vetted before being venerated. The Prunes’ first release, recorded in 1967, has its up and downs, replete with inconsequential rock clichés from the era. And it’s not that Underground doesn’t have some of those spread throughout the affair, but they seem muted.

The Prunes’ first disc was focused on short pop ditties that were able to fit seamlessly onto any rock radio station. And while this second disc doesn’t sport any indulgent, extended tracks, there’s a bit more instrumental exploration.

After this second album, since the band still hadn’t achieved wide spread appreciation, the musicians, producers and managers involved decided it was time for drastic steps. Mass in F Minor followed in 1968 with David Axelrod contributing the musical arrangements. This album, which was figured to turn the garage band into psych progenitors, actually ended up destroying the ensemble.

The resultant music had nothing to do with previous efforts and even in a drug induced haze, any fan expecting some quick garage tunes was treated to a less than pleasurable modern classical record. In some circles, Mass in F Minor has become a minor classic, but considering the fact that it’s so far away from what band members actually wanted, it shouldn’t really be considered a proper Prunes album.

And for that reason, Underground seems to most easily represent the original cadre of the Prunes, what they wanted and what music they felt was inside of them.