Here We Are Again - COUNTRY JOE & THE FISH***

Here I Go Again/Donovan's Reef/Its So Nice To Have Love/Baby You're Driving Me Crazy/Crystal Blues/For No Reason/I'll Survive/Maria/My Girl/Doctor Of Electricity

By the time of their fourth album Here We Go Again Country Joe & The Fish had begun to fall out of fashion slightly. Labelled as a psychedelic band this genre would soon be replaced by progressive rock, although in reality there was often little musical difference between them. (US:48)

"This one is a different kind of Fish album compared with their first three. Definitely not as trippy but more straightforward this time. Here We Are Again might very well be their weakest album. But that doesn't mean that there is bad stuff here. Some true diamonds can be found like the amazing Crystal Blues and the album closer Doctor Of Electricity. Some of the finest material this group ever released. On the other hand there are some not so memorable cuts as well."

"Clearly the weakest in their catalogue, it seems as though it was produced more out of contractual obligation than artistic desire. Inconsistency is the order of the day here, as there are a couple of relatively strong cuts to save the record from 'also ran' status. But these are offset by some truly awful material as well."

"Unfortunately this album was made while the original line up was disintegrating. In that sense it is more a collaboration between Joe McDonald and Barry Melton with the addition of some unknown studio musicians. It is also not quite like their first two or three albums, and probably wasn't druggy enough for the CJ & the Fish fan base."

"Besides the outstanding title track this album contains the elegantly beautiful For No Reason a song Joe probably didn't play at Woodstock even though it may be the best song he ever wrote. The closing Doctor Of Electricity, a Barry Melton song, is also outstanding. There are a few others songs that rock a little bit and many of them are splendidly arranged, consisting of many well placed instruments that need a few extra listens to appreciate."

"It shows that Joe McDonald can sing and write for any form of music, not just acidrock and protest songs. He has a fine, expressive voice and combines beautiful melodies with touching lyrics. A must for all lovers of the 60s California music revolution."