Daybreak (25)

Daybreak was a high school band from Westchester County, New York. Aspiring hippies of their generation, they practiced psychedelic songs, anti-war anthems and other songs that spoke to them. On their debut album, an ultra rare RPC custom press of approximately 1,000 copies, they covered many iconic songs of the era, including Steppenwolf's "Monster/Suicide/America" and The Moody Blues' "Nights in White Satin", along with 3 originals. Unfortunately, the album also includes a cheesy Rock Around The Clock cover inspired by the Sha-Na-Na version, and some of the worst recording quality of the 70s. But beneath the 2khz range of their cheap cassette recorder, there is some of the most refreshing doses of acid rock ever laid down, all written by bassist Vinnie Seplesky. Their song "Can't Get Down" is an excellent angst-y cry to join the hippies with his dream girl and enter a new world of experimentation, as the singer wails "I don't wanna survive" and other meaningless psychedelic lyrics involving tomorrow and flying. But at last, he realizes the life isn't for him, yelling that he "can't get down!". The swirling organ and surprisingly good guitar tone make for an excellent acid rock killer. The other originals are interesting as well. "I'm Only Half There" is as much inspired by Hendrix as it is by bubblegum 60s pop. This makes for a very polarizing track, but not a bad one. "Alone Again" was undoubtedly their opus, a long, slow, heavy, psychedelic track. Although it's more vague psych lyrics, they flow well and the singer is pretty good. It also features an astounding guitar solo and a dirgy organ outro. The standout! In 1974 the band recorded another album in multiple styles, from soft acid folk to clunky jazz-rock. Some say this second effort wasn't as great as the first, where it was mostly rocking the whole way through. The numbers in this album range from charming folk ballads to cheesy blues to unrehearsed rushes of swinging jazz. Overall, worth a listen but not essential.