Lost Souls

The fidelity on this ten-song compilation ranges from superb studio quality to fuzzy demos, yet the material is mostly excellent. "My Love I Won't Admit" and "Look At Me" are beguiling pop-rockers, somewhat in the mold of a more guitar-oriented Left Banke; "Walking Out on Me" is a catchy British Invasion-styled power-popper. The group's more experimental side comes out on Carleton's affecting minor-key ballad "Things That Are Important," with its touches of flute and mandolin, as well as an unexpected jazz instrumental passage a la the Zombies; "Dare to Surmise" is the best document of their ability to change tempos and launch into unexpected instrumental detours at the drop of a hat; and "Trashcan Throne" is their weirdest tune, launching from sullen garage rock into almost Zappaesque jazz-rock bits. Able to handle both compelling harmony-driven tunes and more eclectic fare that did not sacrifice melodic hooks, the Lost Souls qualify, solely on the evidence of this little-distributed collection, as one of the best '60s groups that never got the opportunity to reach a wide audience. ~ Richie Unterberger